January-March 2009 (Quarterly Newsletter)
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AND THE APICS AWARD GOES TO...
Pima County is proud to announce that we are the recipient of the APICS Innovation in Sustainability Award of Excellence. This award is for application of technology to modify traditional purchasing practices that focus on the use of environmentally friendly "green" products and reduction of landfill waste. The Award was presented to the Board of Supervisors on December 9th by Terry Finefrock, Tedra Fox, and Joel Lohr. Joel is the president of the local APICS Chapter representing 31 firms and 150 members.Upcoming Design & In late January, Pima County will be advertising a Request for Qualifications for the selection of a firm to design, build and operate a new 32 million gallon per day Water Reclamation Campus to replace the aging Roger Road Wastewater Reclamation Facility. This project will have a design and construction budget of $260 million and the firm selected for this project will also be responsible for operating the facility for a minimum of fifteen years. Keep an eye on the Design and Construction Solicitations webpage for more information on this important project. |
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A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE IS IN OUR SIGHT!
Green Specifications, Eco-Friendly, Sustainability, Life-Cycle Analysis …these are just a few of the words that the departments at Pima County have heard or read about over the last few months. Procurement is helping other departments comply with BOS Resolution No. 2007-84, also known as the “Sustainability Resolution,” by sending out reminder notices to all departments within Pima County. When the Green Purchasing Representative (GPR) of each Department receives a notice from Procurement that a contract will expire in seven months, the GPR needs to respond with one of the following options:
• Contract scope can be amended to optimize the use of Eco-Friendly items;
• Contract has been reviewed, and it is NOT possible to enhance specifications to include Eco-Friendly items;
• Contract already optimizes the use of Eco-Friendly items;
• Contract will NOT be renewed.
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| Clockwise from top: Maria Canizales, Hazel Houston, Ana Wilber, Terry Finefrock, Brenda Wilson, Stephanie Steward, Denise Waldo |
In addition, Procurement is providing “green specifications” training for the GPRs in the month of January 2009. This training will help the GPRs identify resources and tools for developing green specifications in most contracts.
As a Department, Procurement participates in the recycling of paper, plastic bottles, aluminum cans, newspapers, and CDs. The Procurement “Green Team” sends out weekly “green/recycling” tips and conducts “green patrols” on a monthly basis.
For more information about Procurement's role as a “Green Team” player in the Sustainability Resolution, please contact Brenda Wilson at 740-3549.
Adoptable Animals at Pima Animal Care Center
(This is a new section for the Bid Buzz. We wanted to do something a little different and the idea of showcasing the animals at the PACC seemed like such a fun addition to our newsletter. It's just a small way for us in Procurement to do our part to help animals in need - especially during this rough economy.)
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Our first kitty cat is an adult male domestic short hair. He has been with us since January 30 th 2009. He is a very sweet boy who just likes to hang out with people when he is in the cat play room. As you can see he refused to stop cuddling the volunteer to let me take a photograph!
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This little girl is an orange and white domestic short hair, approximately 1 year old. She was turned into the Center along with her sibling by the owner. A very sweet affectionate little girl! |
"Pebbles” is an adult female domestic short hair, brown tabby in color. She is currently one of our longer residents as she has been with us since January 9 th . She is ready to go home as soon as she is adopted! |
PACC Animal ID A198344 |
PACC Animal ID A198865. |
PACC Animal ID A195784. |
Pima Animal Care Center
Tucson, AZ
520-243-5900
Can Animals Help Us Live Longer?
If you are a pet owner, you may be healthier than your petless neighbor. Tests have shown that not only do animals have a calming influence on us; they are also beneficial to our health and well being. A person's blood pressure and heart rate will actually decrease while they are around their pet. A 1992 study done on 8,000 Australians reported that pet owners are less likely to get heart disease even though the owners in the study ate more meat and fast-food than non-pet owners. Studies have also shown that a child that grows up with a family pet has more empathy than a child that grows up in a home without any pets.
"A person's blood pressure and heart rate will actually decrease while being around a pet."
There's something very unique about a shelter animal. Usually they are unwanted, stray or have been abandoned by their owners. In some circumstances, people drop off their pets after moving into apartments where pets are not allowed. Other times, it could be due to the death of the owners. Sadly, I have seen animals that have been abandoned in the desert or on lonely highways. I once found a small dog running along a road several miles from any homes. He was covered in dirt, fleas and ticks. It's hard to imagine just how he ended up there.
An animal's love is accepting and unconditional. They will love us no matter what. They know where they've been and what it's like to be totally alone. Even in a shelter full of other unwanted pets. They'll also know that you are the one that gave them the ultimate gift.Pima Animal Care Center does a great job in taking care of all of the animals that come to them, but these animals desperately need loving homes. Save a pet today and gain a new best friend.
Click here to check out the Pima Animal Care Center website or call 243-5900 for more information on adopting a pet.
Do you have a suggestion for the Bid Buzz? Click here to send us an email. We would love to hear from you.