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Court security products……
that qualified for the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts (AOC) funding were paid for directly by AOC prior to October 1, 2005. In the 2004/2005 fiscal year, there were essentially two Alabama vendors specializing in providing enhanced judicial security. Prior to the development of the Companion system, all judicial security products were provided under an agreement with AOC and a private contractor.
Essentially, the contractor agreement with AOC and the original vendor involved wired security devices. The development of a family of wireless products started by the original Companion system provided for the Conecuh County Judicial System was a new technology that was approved in other counties on a case by case basis.
The procedure was fairly simple. To qualify for 100% funding of the Companion wireless system, the procedure was one of determining the equipment required to provide enhanced safety and then calling Chuck Haveard of AOC for approval. Generally, this could be handled by telephone. With Chuck's approval, the vendor (Falcon Direct during the 2005/2005 fiscal year) delivered the equipment with an invoice to AOC indicating delivery of the specified equipment. AOC then paid Falcon Direct upon receipt of the invoice with delivery acceptance by the County Court system.
Unfortunately, some of the county court systems could not be delivered prior to September 30th, 2005 (the end of the fiscal year for the State of Alabama). Most of these transactions were in the process of being manufactured since the Companion system is customer built to the specifications of each user. Additionally, it was necessary to acquire a formal approval by the law enforcement agency who would be responsible for providing response services to an alert call from a clerk, judge, or juvenile probation officer in need of assistance.
As it turned out, there was no funding available for a carryover of the 2004/2005 fiscal transactions even though many Alabama Courts had been approved for purchase. This meant that even though every one had met their commitments, the delivery could not be made since there was no money available to pay for the Companion equipment. So, it was necessary to make a few changes. That's the bad news.
The good news is that funding for the 2005/2006 funding year is now available. In addition, the contract with the original fixed equipment vendor was canceled. Each court system now has the freedom to select the equipment best suited for their individual needs without being restricted to selecting only from those from a fixed contract. Actually, there were some advantages to the original contract. Notably, it was not necessary to bid contract items since they had already been prebid. In addition, the contract was between the vendor(s) and AOC which allowed AOC to make payment directly to the vendor.
Under the 2005/2006 ground rules it will be necessary to bid any purchase over $7,500 for compliance with Alabama bid laws. The products offered by USA Radio1 have been submitted for approval by AOC. Generally, the equipment offered by Falcon Direct costs less than $7,500 to equip the typical court system so it is not necessary to bid your proposed purpose unless you choose to exercise this option. If you decide to purchase through the bid process, you will need specifications. At the upper left hand side of this web page you will see a task bar selection for Bid Specifications. You can click on this link for bid specifications on all products offered by Falcon Direct.
There is one additional step required under the new program. As you know, AOC will fund the purchase of equipment for circuit clerks, circuit judges, courtrooms, district clerks, district judges, and juvenile probation officers while in their offices or chambers as well as in transit between these locations. Funding is not available for other county government officials although equipment can be purchased separately by the county as long as payment is made through non AOC sources. However, under the current guidelines, the county must actually contract for the purchase with the vendor, pay the vendor, and then be reimbursed by AOC.
We realize that this puts another cook in the kitchen (maybe even a cook that doesn't want to be in the kitchen), but county involvement in the purchase is required under current AOC procedures. This means it is necessary to involve the county administrator, commission, or probate office as applicable to actually make the purchase, pay the vendor, and receive reimbursement by AOC.
We understand that is some cases that funds may not be available from the county general fund. In such cases, we will work with the county to defer payment to Falcon Direct until payment has been made by AOC. This new procedure may be a little more complicated than the old program, but the main point to remember is that 100% funding for improved safety for you and your associates in worth the effort.
A complete listing of
the Companion products is listed above by clicking on
The Companion System task bar selector at the above left side of this
web page. Normally, we assume the use of the Companion LD Plus
with associated buttons on each floor or location where there may be
judicial personnel. A personal communications device as well as a
personal emergency location reporting device is listed in the Other
Products section above. If you have any questions, call us at
1.800.489.2611.
Thanks for visiting with us. We
look forward to serving you! By the way, if you are not on our
mailing list, drop us an email to sales@falcondirect.com
to receive your free copy of our monthly eNewsletter. A sample
newsletter is available by clicking here.
The Falcon Team
At your Service!
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Copyright 2007 - Falcon
Direct, Inc.
This page was last updated on 01/21/2007
American quality at prices
below the imports!
36 - 20th Avenue NW - Birmingham, AL 35215
Phone Toll Free - 1.800.489.2611