Guest Post: LTISD pays Fieldturf $779k / MCPS pays Fieldturf $1.1mil for same thing

...The field turf is a separate project and was $779,307, with a total of five bids coming in for the project with FieldTurf winning the bidding...

http://laketravisview.com/2012/08/01/new-turf-baseball-lights-press-box-projects-complete-at-lake-travis/

Note - the 779k is a turnkey price.  Includes the sub-base and turf field.  It is also for FieldTurf's new upgraded "Revolution" product...

Where did the extra $300k go?  This is what happens when you circumvent a proper competitive bid process.

Here's a closer example!   

...As per the motion, the board entered into contracts with Field Turf to install the artificial surface ($699,000)...

http://www.tnonline.com/2012/feb/14/turf-field 

just 187 miles north of Montgomery County but they pay $400k less...

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The Parents' Coalition received this Guest Post on the issue of MCPS' sole source arrangement for purchases of artificial turf.  The Montgomery County Council has already held their "hearing" on artificial turf procurement. Cost is not an issue for the Montgomery County Council.