FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                   

Contact:   Lauren Keene, Lee County Purchasing Division
                (239) 689-7388

LEE COUNTY PURCHASING DIVISION ADDS RESOURCES TO WEB SITE

FORT MYERS, Fla. (July 17, 2002) – Lee County Government’s Division of Purchasing is making it easier for vendors to do business with the county by providing application, quote and bidding information on the Internet. 

The Purchasing Division’s web site is www.lee-county.com/purchasing.  Recently put on the web site are: 

•       Vendor Applications, which can be completed and submitted online.  The application includes information about the business and the types of commodities (products) or services it can provide.  The application is required to do business with the county and enables the county to automatically contact the vendor when it is soliciting products or services the vendor provides. 
  

•       Complete quote and proposal packages for products and services the county is purchasing.  The site also includes the purchasing contact person for the particular product/service being procured, the pre-bid conference date and time, and the bid opening date and time. 

“This helps make the purchasing process easier and more efficient both for vendors and the county,” said Janet Sheehan, the county’s Purchasing Director.  “It also will save money by significantly reducing the amount of paperwork, photocopying and postage that is now needed.” 

One of the county’s goals is to use technology, such as the Internet, to make it easier for taxpayers and customers to do business with the county without having to physically come to a county building or facility.  The county recently redesigned its web site, www.lee-county.com, to make it easier for residents to navigate and get information.  Other applications on the web site include: 

• Contact Your Commissioner – E-mail a question or comment

• All county ordinances (local laws)

• The Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code (searchable by keyword)

• The Library System’s card catalogue

• Human Services Directory (searchable database of local agencies)

• Parks & Recreation programs and facilities online registration (secure payment by credit card)

• Department of Transportation “Requests for Action” – complete an online request for service

• Financial documents – annual budget book, revenue manual, debt manual

• Weekly agendas, board minutes, and advisory committee descriptions

• County job applications – apply online 

Lee County’s Purchasing Division buys $45 million of products and services annually.  It employs 12 and has an annual operating budget of about $800,000.