Channel 43 in Abington Township 
				FIRST  SET OF BID SPECS - JAN 07  
                A PARTIAL SUMMARY WITH NOTES 
                  
          
          
          BID SPEC  SUMMARY WITH NOTES - CLICK 
          HERE FOR  BID SPECS THEMSELVES  
  
                
                
                THE CHANNEL 43 BID SPECS HAVE ARRIVED  ..... 
                 
  
                
                
                THEY AMOUNT TO 25 PAGES .  BELOW IS A SUMMARY OF SOME OF THE 
                MOST  OBTUSE POINTS THAT I TOOK THE TIME TO MAKE BECAUSE 25 
                PAGES IS A LOT TO WADE THROUGH .   I HAVE ADDED MY OWN  COMMENTS 
                IN BOLD.   
                
                
                PERSONALLY I THINK THE TRAGEDY IN THIS IS THAT MY ELECTED AND 
                PAID OFFICIALS ACTUALLY HAVE THE TEMERITY TO DO THIS OPENLY .   
                YOU BE THE JUDGE……  
                
                
                  
                
                
                PLEASE REMEMBER THIS IS A SUPPOSED ROCK BOTTOM BUDGET “ TRIAL “  
                OF THE TAPINGS ------ MEANING…. THEY HAVE SAID THEY ARE 
                EXPECTING THE BIDS TO COME IN AT  AROUND $400 PER MEETING  - ( 5 
                OR $6,000 FOR 15 MEETINGS)  A FAR CRY FROM THE $2,000 TO $3,000 
                PER MEETING COST THAT THEIR COMMITTEE SUGGESTED WAS NECESSARY TO 
                SPEND BUT A WHOLE LOT  MORE THAN THE $60 THAT WE PAID TO HAVE A 
                TAPE MADE THAT WAS OF EXCELLENT QUALITY  AND SERVES TO RESPOND 
                TO THE NEEDS OF THE RESIDENTS REQUESTS.
                 
                 
  
                
                
                WE HAVE BEEN ASKING OUR COMMISSIONERS FOR A GENUINE ATTEMPT TO 
                GET UNDERWAY WITH THE MEETINGS IN THE MOST COST EFFECTIVE 
                MANNER. THIS CLEARLY REPRESENTS NEITHER.  
                
                  
                
                  
                
                TOWNSHIP 
                OF ABINGTON 
                
                MUNICIPAL 
                MEETING VIDEO RECORDING CONTRACT 
                
                BID 
                DOCUMENTS 
                
                Sealed bids 
                for the Municipal Meeting Video Recording Contract 
                
                 All bids 
                must be delivered by 12:00p.m. (noon) on February 21, 2007,
                 
                
                At which 
                time and place all bids will be publicly opened and read aloud.
                 
                
                all bidders 
                must attend a mandatory pre-bid meeting at 10a.m. on February 
                14, 2007 
                then successful bidders must meet again and then a third time to 
                tape a short preview  and the requirements go on and on and on 
                …… 
                
                
                 ___________________________________________________________________ 
                 
                 
                8d P3  FAILURE TO ATTEND THE MANDATORY 
                PRE-BID MEETING WILL RESULT IN REJECTION OF THE BID.  
                ( THE FIRST OF AT LEAST THREE  REQUIRED MEETINGS – BEFORE 
                TAPING  IS EVEN STARTED-  WHICH WILL INCREASE THE COST TO THE 
                VIDEOGRAPHER  ) 
                
                 
                16 P6 must include bid surety in an 
                amount equal to 10% of the product of the bidder's price for 
                Item No. I.A multiplied by twenty-four (24). in the form 
                of either a 
                
                certified check or bid bond 
                issued by an insurance company . ( 
                SO BEFORE THEY CAN EARN A SINGLE DOLLAR THEY HAVE TO POST A 
                LARGE COST  OF THE COST OF THE PROJECT UP FRONT  AND PAY FOR IT 
                THEMSELVES OR ARRANGE FOR INSURANCE FOR SUCH ?   FOR WHAT 
                REASON? TO INCREASE THEIR COST OF DOING THIS BUSINESS?  NONE OF 
                THE VIDEOGRAPHERS WE SPOKE TO HAVE EVER SEEN SUCH A THING.
                 )  
                
                  
                
                  
                
                26c p9 
                Award of any contract 
                hereunder shall be made within 
                forty-five (45) days 
                following the opening of bids & remain 
                open and subject to acceptance for a period of sixty (60) days 
                after opening.  ( SO THAT 
                MEANS FROM  NOW UNTIL THE END OF MAY YOU NEED TO HOLD YOUR BID 
                OPEN WITH NO GUARANTEED START OR STOP DATE FOR THE WORK  - AND 
                EVEN IF  THE BID HAS BEEN AWARDED TO SOMEONE ELSE AND YOU HAVE 
                LITTLE PROSPECT OF  DOING THE WORK.  RIDICULOUSLY UNREASONABLE  
                )  
                
                  
                
                13A P4
                each bidder must submit:
                 An 
                experience record containing at least 
                five (5) projects similar in nature  completed in the 
                last 18 months  ( THIS LIMITS THE 
                NUMBER OF QUALIFIED VIDEOGRAPHERS TO A FIELD OF NEARLY NONE – 
                VERY FEW, IF ANY, LOCAL  VIDEOGRAPHERS CAN BE FOUND  WHO HAVE 
                DONE 5 PROJECTS  “SIMILAR TO THIS” – AND ALL RECENT.  AND IT 
                COMPLETELY ELIMINATES GRADUATE STUDENTS, COLLEGE MEDIA 
                INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS,  AND NEARLY EVERY REASONABLY  PRICED OPTION 
                THAT EXISTS FOR THE TAXPAYERS OF THIS TOWNSHIP) 
                 
                
                  
                
                13B   P5
                financial 
                balance statement listing assets and liabilities and an 
                operating 
                
                statement for the 
                most recent year , but 
                no earlier than a fiscal year ending in2006.  
                ( FOR WHAT REASON?  – TO INCREASE THE 
                COST  AND DRIVE EVERY REASONABLE APPLICANT  AWAY. THIS IS A 
                COMPLETE ABSURDITY AND AN UNNECESSARY INTRUSION ) 
                 
                
                  
                
                13E   P5
                required to provide
                a list of all professional recording 
                equipment owned and likely to be used for recording of 
                the meetings, including all camera makes and models, editing 
                equipment and/or editing software likely to be used, together 
                with all mixing and monitoring equipment likely to be used in 
                the recording of final media production.  
                (FOR WHAT REASON – TO INCREASE THE 
                COST?  IS THERE SOMEONE AT THE TOWNSHIP WHO KNOWS BETTER THAN 
                THE PROFESSIONAL THAT THEY ARE HIRING WHAT KIND OF EQUIPMENT 
                SHOULD BE USED .  YOU ARE ALREADY ASKING FOR 5 WORK SAMPLES. DO 
                YOU NOW NOT TRUST THAT YOU HAVE A PROFESSIONAL SO THAT YOU 
                SHOULD MICRO-MANAGE THE EQUIPMENT HE NEEDS FOR HIS PROJECT.  DO 
                YOU DO THIS WITH ALL CONTRACTS? )  
                 
  
                
                13F   P5
                Any
                additional staff associated shall  have 
                a minimum of three years experience as a video filming or 
                editing technician working for such firms that produce materials 
                a described above.  (WHY TO 
                INCREASE THE COST? WE JUST HAD AN EIGHT GRADER RUN A CAMERA AND 
                PRODUCE A WONDERFUL TAPE OF ONE OF THE MEETINGS. MONTGOMERY 
                COUNTY USES HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS FOR THEIRS . WHY WOULD A CAMERA 
                TECHNICIAN HAVE TO HAVE 3 YEARS EXPERIENCE. WHY WOULD THE 
                PROFESSIONAL YOU ARE HIRING NOT KNOW WHO IS AND IS NOT CAPABLE 
                OF RUNNING HIS EQUIPMENT? ) 
                 
  
                
                  
                
                13G   P5
                Bidders and the camera 
                operator ultimately in charge of recording the 
                
                Township meetings shall have a
                minimum of three years' experience 
                in the 
                
                video recording profession. 
                (WHY TO INCREASE COST? THE MONTGOMERY 
                COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND MANY OTHERS PRODUCE A FINE SHOW WITH NO 
                SUCH REQUIREMENT.  THIS KIND OF STIPULATION, FOR A PRODUCTION 
                YOU HAVE FOUND SO UNIMPORTANT AS TO NOT TAPE AT ALL, DESPITE  
                PUBLIC OUTCRY,  AMOUNTS TO THE FLEECING OF ABINGTON TAXPAYERS. 
                IF SOMEONE IS ASKED TO SUBMIT 5 ACCEPTABLE PRODUCTS, IT WOULD 
                NOT MATTER  HOW MANY YEARS EXPERIENCE HE HAD, YOU WOULD SEE THAT 
                HE IS CAPABLE. ) 
                 
                
                 
                16A 
                P6    Each 
                bid must be accompanied by a certified 
                check -  Alternatively, the security may be in the form 
                of a bid bond in the same amount 
                issued by a surety licensed to do business in 
                Pennsylvania
                ( WHY – TO INCREASE THE COST?  
                WHAT WOULD THE LOSS BE  IF A MEETING WERE NOT TAPED? )    
                 
                
                  
                
                17 A  P7
                bidder must (carry) 
                insurance of public  liability and 
                property damage in an amount of not less than ONE MILLION 
                DOLLARS  ($1,000,000.00) for an individual, ONE MILLION DOLLARS 
                ($1,000,000.00) for more 
                
                than one 
                individual, and TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS 
                
                ($250,000.00) for property 
                damage. The successful bidder must also show proof of 
                workers' compensation insurance. 
                ( SOME VIDEOGRAPHERS, SOLE 
                PROPRIETORS FOR INSTANCE, CANNOT EVEN GET WORKER’S COMP 
                INSURANCE.  ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO ELIMINATE WELL QUALIFIED 
                VIDEOGRAPHERS THAT WILL SERVE ONLY TO INCREASE THE COST.) 
                 
                 
                17B P7  
                 bidder 
                must provide a policy of Errors and 
                Omissions  
                
                Insurance. 
                
                ( FOR WHAT REASON 
                TO INCREASE THE COST?  IN CASE A MISTAKE IS MADE  TAPING 
                SOMETHING THAT IS SO UNIMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE NOT SEEN FIT TO 
                BOTHER TO TAPE IN THE PAST AND ARE NOT TAPING NOW?  THIS 
                INSURANCE IS EXPENSIVE AND THE APPLICATION FOR IT COMPLICATED 
                FOR ANY BUSINESS. IT IS WHOLLY UNNECESSARY .   WHAT WOULD BE THE 
                FINANCIAL DAMAGES ……. ? PERHAPS THE RESIDENTS SHOULD BE CLAIMING 
                THESE DAMAGES AGAINST THEIR COMMISSIONERS WHO ARE REFUSING TO 
                TAPE THE CURRENT ONES. IN ADDITION, YOU WOULD NEED THIS JUST TO 
                BID –  WHETHER OR NOT YOU WIN) 
                
                  
                
                19 p7   The use of
                subcontractors is not permitted 
                by this Contract. (WHY TO INCREASE 
                COSTS? NO FIRM  WOULD BE ABLE TO MANAGE 24 HOUR NOTICE WITHOUT 
                THE ABILITY TO TAP A SUBCONTRACTOR FOR A CAMERAMAN IF 
                NECESSARY.  INDUSTRY WIDE, FREELANCE OPERATORS AND 
                SUBCONTRACTORS ARE USED EVEN BY COMCAST. THEY SHOULD HAVE EVERY 
                OPTION OPEN TO THEM TO BE ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH THE TASK.  AND IF 
                THIS APPLIES ONLY TO  THE 15 MEETINGS  AS A WHOLE, IT STILL 
                UNDERMINES THE JUDGEMENTS AND ABILITITIES OF THE PROFESSIONAL TO 
                MANAGE THE PRODUCTION OF THE PROJECT – MICRO-MANAGEMENT BY 
                PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT PROFESSIONAL VIDEOGRAPHERS  ) 
                
                  
                
                  P12  In 
                the non-collusion Affadavit :  
                The undersigned, on behalf of 
                the bidder, declares that the bidder has not been convicted or 
                found liable for any act prohibited by State or Federal law in 
                any jurisdiction involving conspiracy or collusion with respect 
                to bidding on any public contract within the last
                three (3) years. 
                ( WHY ONLY THE LAST 3 YEARS?  HOW 
                ABOUT “ HAS NEVER BEEN CONVICTED OR FOUND LIABLE…..?) 
                .  
                
                  
                
                1 p15 to 
                report for the recording 
                of twelve consecutive Meetings ……..and three additional 
                meetings   upon a written or verbal request with a minimum
                twenty-four hour notification  
                (ARE YOU KIDDING ? YOU ARE 
                REQUIRING ERRORS AND OMISSIONS INSURANCE,  A SURETY BOND OR 
                CERTIFIED CHECK, AND AS MANY PENALTIES AS YOU CAN FIND FOR 
                NON-PERFORMANCE AND THEN YOU ARE GOING TO GIVE HIM ONLY 24 HOURS 
                NOTIFICATION…….????   THAT’S ONE WAY TO KEEP PEOPLE FROM 
                BIDDING. )   
                
                  
                
                2. p15  
                shall be required to complete breakdown 
                of all equipment within fifteen minutes following the 
                conclusion of any meeting. ( WOULD 
                SUPERMAN BE CONSIDERED A SUBCONTRACTOR – THAT’S WHO HE WOULD 
                NEED TO ACCOMPLISH THIS .  MAYBE ON A LUCKY NITE……)
                 
                
                  
                
                  
                
                6. p15
                required to bring
                sufficient power supplies to last 
                through the duration of any given meeting, generally not to 
                exceed six hour duration. ( 
                SO SIX HOUR BATTERIES FOR ALL CAMERAS…..? ) 
                 
  
                
                7 p15 
                 shall be required to 
                bring supplies including batteries 
                to provide  failure or malfunction of primary equipment 
                so as to provide a seamless transition 
                of the recording , without loss of signal or content.  
                ( HOW WOULD ONE DO THAT .  THE MALFUNCTION (IE: A POWER OUTTAGE 
                ) WOULD HAVE TO OCCUR BEFORE HE KNEW TO PUT IN THE BATTERIES. 
                UNNECCESSARILY OPPRESSIVE AND ONLY SERVES TO DRIVE UP THE COST )
                 
                
                  
                
                8 p16  shall 
                be of such quality as to equal the 
                quality of recordings typically identified as the standard in 
                the television broadcast industry. 
                ( WHY – TO DRIVE UP THE COST?  FIRST 
                OF ALL THIS IS AMBIGUOUS. SECOND,  WE HAVE SEEN SEVERAL 
                TOWNSHIPS THAT FUNCTION WELL DELIVERING  THEIR MEETINGS AT AN 
                AVERAGE QUALITY.  THE RESIDENTS ARE GLAD FOR THEM AND THE 
                FINANCIAL RESOURCES DO NOT HAVE TO BE STRAINED. )  
                 
                12 AND 13  p16 
                The successful bidder shall 
                utilize a minimum of two primary 
                cameras ……….Not 
                more than one primary camera shall be fixed on a tripod 
                or other similar device, and not more 
                than one camera shall be non-zoom controlled. 
                (IF THE PROFESSIONAL CAN BEST DO HIS 
                JOB WITH AN ADDITIONAL NON-ZOOM CONTROLLED, TRIPOD MOUNTED 
                CAMERA, WHY WOULD YOU MICRO-MANGE THIS?  THE REASON WE CHOOSE 
                PROFESSIONALS IS BECAUSE THEY KNOW HOW TO GET THE BEST PRODUCT. 
                )  
                
                  
                
                14  p17
                When utilizing staff for 
                direct control of multiple cameras, 
                
                each staff member 
                shall directly control one camera.  
                When utilizing equipment for direct control of multiple cameras, 
                one staff member may control multiple 
                
                cameras provided
                an audio visual mixer with monitors for 
                each camera output, 
                
                together with 
                multi-control mixing functions is used.
                (AGAIN 
                
                WHY WOULD YOU MICRO-MANGE THIS.  THE REASON WE CHOOSE 
                PROFESSIONALS IS BECAUSE THEY KNOW HOW TO GET THE BEST PRODUCT. 
                NOW, NON-PROFESSIONALS WILL DIRECT EACH STEP? )  
                
                 
                 
  
                
                15 p17 In 
                addition to using primary cameras, a separate individual backup 
                camera shall be deployed in the event of camera malfunctions, 
                loss of recording signal, unexpected interference,
                obliteration of view, power 
                loss, or any other malfunction…. 
                
                  
                16. p17  
                The 
                recording from the backup camera shall, at the end or 
                conclusion  of the meeting, become the immediate property of 
                Abington Township, and 
                
                shall be 
                presented to Township Administration prior to equipment 
                breakdown…..If such   
                discrepancy is found, the bidder shall be required to reproduce 
                the media without additional charge to the Township.  
                
                
                (SO BIDDER WOULD NEED TO TAKE HOME THAT BACK UP TAPE IF, FOR 
                INSTANCE, THE VIEW WAS OBLITEREATED IN THE PRIMARY CAMERA – 
                OTHERWISE HE WOULD HAVE TO REPRODUCE  IT FOR FREE LATER. HOW 
                DIFFICULT CAN WE MAKE THIS ?  THE MORE DIFFICULT IT IS, THE 
                GREATER THE COST  )   
                   
                 
  
                
                17  P17 
                The camera person in 
                charge shall immediately notify the 
                chair of any known malfunction of the primary equipment, 
                and an announcement shall be made for the meeting record and for 
                capture by backup cameras -  
                determination of the recorded time lost shall be made by camera 
                person in charge and shall be announced to the chair of 
                the meeting. ( FOR WHAT REASON?  
                THE MEETING ITSELF SHOULD NOT BE INTRUDED UPON OR INTERRUPTED BY 
                CAMERAS – THEY ARE THERE TO RECORD WHAT  HAPPENS, NOT TO AFFECT 
                WHAT HAPPENS.  THE STATIONARY  ‘BACK-UP” CAMERA IS THERE TO 
                CATCH GLITCHES SUCH AS THIS )  
                 
                 19. 
                P18 
                Recording of meetings shall be monitored live -at 
                least one of the primary cameras shall provide an A V feed to 
                one or both of two television monitors permanently 
                located in the Township meeting room. Wireless A V signal 
                senders shall be used unless a closed circuit broadcast camera 
                is utilized.  (FOR WHAT REASON?  
                TO INCREASE THE COST?  ATTENDEES SHOULD NOT BE DISTRACTED BY THE 
                CAMERAS OR CAMERA PROCESS – IT SHOULD NOT INTRUDE UPON THE 
                MEETINGS. )  
                 
  
                
                21  P18 The 
                DVD disk of any meeting recorded shall be provided back to 
                Abington Township Administration no 
                later than fifteen hours from the conclusion of 
                
                the 
                meeting…… marked with the exact playing 
                time in minutes and seconds . A 
                second time length shall also be included on the label 
                which indicates the total running time including any and all 
                introductory title ( SUPERMAN 
                NEEDED AGAIN.  IF A MEETING ENDS AT 10 OR 11 PM, IS THE 
                VIDEOGRAPHER WHO GOT HOME AT MIDNITE WOULD HAVE ABOUT 6 WAKING 
                HOURS TO EDIT A 2-3 HOUR TAPE AND ADD ON THE  SEAL, 
                INTRODUCTIONS ETC.   EVEN  WITHOUT ANY SINGLE INTERRUPTIONS, 
                THIS IS  AN UNREASONABLE REQUEST UNLESS DONE LIVE TO TAPE.  ON 
                A  LATER PAGE, 84 HOURS APPEARS  IN ANOTHER PLACE – BUT HERE IT 
                CLEARLY SAYS ALL DISKS ARE DUE IN 15 HOURS) 
                 
  
                
                22 P 18
                The 
                final product shall contain a one 
                minute introductory title sequence displaying the 
                official Township Seal and Township Building entrance picture,
                upon which the name, date and length 
                of the particular meeting in question shall be displayed  
                ( WHY – TO INCREASE THE COST? HOW 
                ABOUT AN INTRODUCTORY GENERIC BULLETIN BOARD ANNOUNCEMENT  WHICH 
                COULD BE PLAYED BEFORE EACH AND EVERY MEETING AND AVOID THE COST 
                OF INCORPORATING IT ONTO THE VIDEO.  
                
                 
                23 p18  shall contain the official Township Seal clearly 
                displayed on the right side of the lower third. Such projection 
                shall be transparent o the viewing field, and shall remain 
                continuously displayed throughout the duration of play. 
                
                
                ( WHY – TO INCREASE THE COST? THIS IS TYPICAL OF ADVERTISERS WHO 
                NEED THEIR NAME RECOGNITION. WHY WOULD WE PAY MORE FOR THIS. ARE 
                WE TRYING TO COPYWRITE THE TAPE SO RESIDENTS CANNOT MAKE COPIES 
                AND USE THEM TO DISTRIBUTE.  THIS WOULD DISADVANTAGE RESIDENTS 
                AND BE A DISSERVICE TO THEM )
                 
                 
  
                
                24  P18  The lower third of the 
                display shall also be used to identify who among the Board of 
                Commissioners, Township staff, or agenda presentations is 
                speaking 
                
                ( WHY – TO INCREASE THE COST? PEOPLE IN ATTENDANCE  DO NOT HAVE 
                THIS 
                 AVAILABILITY AND OFTEN CAN’T SEE THE NAME TAG.  INSTEAD 
                ENCOURAGE THE CAMERAMAN TO TAPE NAMETAGS WHERE POSSIBLE)
                 
                 
  
                
                25 P19  
                The bidder 
                is responsible for correct identification and correct 
                
                spelling of 
                all Commissioners, Committee members, Township staff, and 
                
                formal 
                agenda presenters who speak longer than for simple affirmation 
                of a 
                
                statement or 
                motion, longer than for fifteen seconds, or with substantive 
                
                content to 
                an extended message. In such case, the full name of the 
                appropriate 
                
                speaker 
                shall be displayed for a minimum of five seconds, or for twenty 
                
                percent of 
                any extended message or presentation. Persons speaking from the 
                
                floor, out 
                of turn, or from the audience, are not required to be identified 
                by 
                
                name in the 
                lower third display.  ( WHY – TO 
                INCREASE THE COST? AND ON A TRIAL BASIS ?  HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU 
                DETERMINE THEY WOULD HAVE TO DO THIS AND HOW  AND WHEN. REMEMBER 
                THEY HAVE TO BREAK DOWN WITHIN 15 MINUTES AFTER THE MEETING.)
                 
                
                  
                
                32. P20  At least one of the 
                primary cameras shall utilize a 
                wireless  audio feed from the Township sound system to 
                ensure the highest quality sound possible. 
                ( NOTE THE TOWNSHIP SYSTEM  HAS 
                FREQUENTLY BEEN MALFUNCTIONING AND SHOULD NOT BE RELIED ON BY A 
                PROFESSIONAL WHOSE PAYMENT DEPENDS UPON THE AUDIO THAT HE 
                OBTAINS) 
                
                  
                
                  
                
                33.  P20  
                The bidder 
                shall be required to meet with Township 
                IT staff at least three weeks prior to the first intended 
                recording to review all technical 
                
                conditions 
                and requirements, and to agree on any necessary technical 
                protocols. 
                ( WHY – TO INCREASE THE COST? AND 
                LET’S CALCULATE HERE – BIDS DUE FEB 21ST – NOTIFIED 
                WITHIN 45 DAYS – SO THAT COULD TAKE TIL MID APRIL  - THE WINNING 
                BIDDER HAS TO MEET THREE WEEKS PRIOR TO  VIDEOTAPING  - SO THERE 
                IS NO PLAN TO DO ANYTHING TIL SOMETIME AFTER MAY -  AND THAT 
                DOES NOT INCLUDE THE DELAY CAUSED BY ANY PROTEST TO THESE 
                POSITIVELY RIDICULOUS  SPECS.  I SEEM TO RECALL AT THE TIME OF 
                THE VOTE  COMMISSIONER MIKE O’CONNER SUGGESTING WE WOULD APPROVE 
                IT IN DECEMBER, PUT OUT THE SPECS IN JANUARY AND HAVE OUR FIRST 
                TAPING IN FEBRUARY…………  WE’VE GONE A BIT ASTRAY.  IS IT POSSIBLE 
                THESE SPECS WERE WRITTEN THIS WAY TO INVITE PROTEST AND DELAY IT 
                FURTHER?  THEY CERTAINLY WERE NOT WRITTEN WITH THE FISCAL 
                INTERESTS OF THE RESIDENTS IN MIND )
                 
                
                  
                
                34. P20 
                At least two 
                weeks prior to the first intended production, the successful 
                bidder shall meet with Township IT staff to conduct a practice 
                production not lasting 
                
                longer than 
                ten minutes as an actual field test. 
                ( WHY – TO INCREASE THE COST? YOU 
                HAVE ALREADY HAD THEM FILL OUT AN EXHAUSTIVE HISTORY,  PRODUCE 
                SAMPLES, ARRIVE FOR  A MANDATORY PRE-BID MEETING, SCOPE OUT THE 
                PREMISES, READ EVERY DETAIL  AND MEET WITH YOU THREE WEEKS 
                PRIOR.  WHAT IS THE COST OF ALL THAT TO THE PROFESSIONAL?  HOW 
                ABOUT  TAPING AND AIRING A MEETING FOR A TEST SO THE RESIDENTS  
                CAN ACTUALLY SEE ONE? WHAT WOULD YOU ACCOMPLISH BY THIS IF YOU 
                HAD ALREADY CHOSEN YOUR BIDDER? )   
                
                  
                
                  
                35 P20  
                If any 
                defects or concerns are revealed in the practice test, the 
                bidder shall satisfy, correct or adjust as necessary within one 
                week of the initial meeting recording.) . 
                ( WHY – TO INCREASE THE COST? DO YOU 
                REALLY FEEL THAT THE OTHER EXHAUSTIVE MEASURES WILL FAIL TO FIND 
                YOU A COMPETENT VIDEOGRAPHER – AND IS THIS A JOB WHERE – AFTER 
                YEARS AND YEARS OF YOUR SIMPLE REFUSAL TO APPROVE THESE 
                MEETINGS, THEY HAVE NOW BECOME SO IMPORTANT THAT THE SLIGHTEST 
                FLAW REQUIRES THIS MUCH OF MY TOWNSHIP TIME AND MONEY.  AS A 
                TAXPAYER, I RESENT THIS ABUSE OF THE THE USE OF MY TAX DOLLARS. 
                STAFF TIME SHOULD BE PUT TO MORE VALUABLE USE. ) 
                 
                
                 
                 37. P21  
                The 
                successful bidder shall be required to have an up-to-date and 
                bonafied 
                
                errors and 
                omissions policy which may be substituted for the referenced 
                performance bond. . ( WHY – TO 
                INCREASE THE COST? A GREAT NUMBER OF BUSINESSES DO NOT HAVE THIS 
                .  HOW DID THESE MEETINGS BECOME SO INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT TO HAVE 
                ON TAPE ALL OF A SUDDEN. AND IF THEY ARE, WHY ARE YOU TAPING 
                THEM THIS MONTH…?) )  
                 
  
                
                38, P21 
                The 
                first hour charge for services shall included any cost for 
                equipment setup,transportation and all expenses for batteries, 
                tapes, disks and the like. (WHY 
                BECAUSE  THE COST OF THE FIRST HOUR IS MULTIPLIED BY 24 AND 
                WITHHELD IN THE SURETY SECTION,   INCREASING THE COST AND THE 
                RISK FOR THE VIDEOGRAPHER ?)  
                
                  
                
                39. P21
                The first hour charge 
                for services and the subsequent charges for half hour service 
                intervals shall include the cost of all personnel.
                (WHY BECAUSE  THE COST OF THE FIRST HOUR IS MULTIPLIED BY 24 
                AND WITHHELD IN THE SURETY SECTION,   INCREASING THE COST AND 
                THE RISK FOR THE VIDEOGRAPHER ?)  
                
                
                  
                
                
                I hope others of you see the unnecessary and unreasonable 
                constraints that can only drive the costs up of what should be a 
                simple project. Perhaps they were designed to invite protest and 
                “take it back to the drawing board”  Perhaps they were designed 
                to favor one photographers while assuring no competition.  They 
                definitely were designed by someone who was NOT a professional 
                videographer but who chose to micro-manage every move of the 
                professional they would be herewith hiring.  
                
                
                  
                
                
                 Please contact me  at 215-885-7130  if you have any 
                comments  about it.  
                
                
                  
                
                
                Lora Lehmann  
          
                 
                ________________________________ 
            
                
___________________________________________ 
          
|Channel 
43 Overview  |  
What  Abington residents are saying 
 | 
  
Contact someone about this issue
 |  
 Your 
Commissioners |  
 
_____________ 
 
 
  
  
          
          
           |