Results of the Pennsylvania Plan for Standardization and Purchasing Supplies

• Author: Walter G. Scott
• DOI: 10.1177/000271622411300140
• Published date: 01 May 1924
• Date: 01 May 1924
• Subject Matter: Articles

298
THE ANNALS OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY
mains to work out the details. Should
tralized purchasing in New Jersey nec-
it succeed, as it would seem at this time
essarily depends upon the heartiest
it will succeed, the writer believes that
co-operation of all the agencies with the
the question of supplies for New Jersey
central office. This co-operation is had,
agencies will have reached the point of
and the State Purchasing Department
the highest efficiency at the lowest
is at all times free to acknowledge its
’
possible cost.
appreciation to the other state agen-
In conclusion, the operation of cen-
cies.
Results of the Pennsylvania Plan for Standardization
and Purchasing Supplies
By WALTER G. SCOTT
Director of Standards and Purchases, Department of Property and Supplies,
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
IN examining the Pennsylvania plan
for
Scheduled commodities were bought
standardizing and purchasing
and paid for from the appropriation to
supplies, two things must be taken into
the Board of Commissioners of Public
consideration: the method in use prior
Grounds and Buildings with no super-
to June 7, 1923, and the present prac-
vision of expenditures as to depart-
tice in bringing about such standard-
ment allocation.
Items not included
ization and purchasing.
in the yearly schedule nor anticipated
Before the adoption of the present
at the time of the making of this
Administrative Code, the law provided
schedule were purchased by inviting
for an appropriation for the purchase
proposals from at least two responsible
of supplies. This appropriation was
bidders, and their bids were submitted
administered by the Board of Com-
to the Board of Commissioners of
missioners of Public Grounds and
Public Grounds and Buildings, for
Buildings, consisting of the Governor,
approval or disapproval, and were paid
Auditor-General and State Treasurer,
for in the same manner as the scheduled
together with a superintendent as the
items. Due to the early demand of
supervising officer.
The Board re-
certain departments, the Board of
ceived from the various departments,
Commissioners of Public Grounds and
boards and commissions a list of the
Buildings usually wound up their
commodities needed for one year.
appropriation period with a large
This list was to include furnishings,
deficit. Many articles were carried in
fuel, stationery and furniture. It was
large quantities in the storeroom at
then arranged as a schedule of supplies
Harrisburg, Pa., for distribution. These
and, after being advertised for three
articles were subject to requisition by
weeks, the awards were made to the
departments with the result that the
lowest bidders.
This schedule con-
various departments ordered material
tained a number of brand or trade-
regardless of cost and oftentimes car-
mark names of the closed bid type, and
ried a large stock of material in their
in this way made difficult competitive
own
department.
bidding. This, however, was all in
It must be realized that all the
accordance with the law.
various...