Technology coordinator Stephanie Carter recommended a plan for managing the school division’s printer and copier operations, transitioning from networked printers to multi-function devices.
The board is scheduled to vote in April on a proposal to contract with Richo for printer-copier services.
Carter told the board the flat-fee contract would cover all costs except paper, which would allow for better budgeting. Even the cost of staples would be included, she said.
Copier costs would be reduced from $174,000 to $168,000, she said.
The cost of printer toner would go down at least 40 to 50 percent from its current level of about $60,000 she said.
The deal with Richo would include software that would track and allow supervisors to manage and control printing operations. Only authenticated documents would be printed, reducing waste and increasing confidentiality, she said.
The most suitable device would be used for each job, which in many instances would mean printing on copiers, the less costly option.
Richo offers “full scale implementation and support,” Carter said.
She said a number of the proposals that the committee reviewed were based on a per-copy fee.
In answer to a question from trustee Glenn Edwards, Carter said the proposal calls for a three-year contract. Because the equipment would be leased, the arrangement could be cancelled after one year if necessary.
During public comment vendor David Hickman, whose services were not recommended, said his proposal did not get proper consideration and requested an opportunity to deliver his proposal to the RFP committee. He said he had just 30 minutes with only half the committee.
He said his firm has a proven track record and holds contracts with Virginia State University, Old Dominion University, and the Virginia Beach and Suffolk public schools among others.
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