Blair County Convention Center revises purchasing policy

Authority sets $24,500 as amount that triggers formal bidding process

The authority that manages the Blair County Convention Center has updated its purchasing practices and policies, thereby setting $24,500 as the amount triggering the need to go through a formal bidding process.

The authority, which met Wednesday, voted in favor of adjusting its prior policy, which set $18,900 as the threshold for formal bidding.

The updated policy also addresses rules for purchases costing less than $24,500.

For purchases and/or contracts valued at $2,501 through $13,200, the convention center staff will need to secure two quotes, in writing or by phone.

For purchases and/or contracts between $13,200 and $24,500, the convention center staff will need three quotes secured in writing or by phone. But if one of the bids is obtained from the state's cooperative purchasing program known as COSTARS, then only two quotes will be needed.

Under the prior policy, purchases and contracts between $2,502 to $10,199 required two quotes in writing or phone and purchases and contracts between $10,200 and $18,900 required three quotes, in writing or by phone.

CEO Tom Schilling asked the authority to make the updates in light of higher costs. But Schilling also recommended -- and the authority agreed -- to retain the practice of soliciting quotes for items between $2,501 and $13,200, even though the state doesn't require it.

After Pennsylvania updated its public works bidding procedures in January to account for inflation, local governing bodies were permitted to make purchases of less than $13,200 without seeking quotes. But the practice of seeking quotes for purchases of less than $13,200, as outlined in the convention center's policy, retains the opportunity for price comparisons.

Meanwhile, the rest of the authority's updated policy falls in line with the state's bidding procedures requiring three quotes for purchases/contracts between $13,200 and $24,500 and use of the formal bidding process for purchases/contracts over $24,500.

During the authority meeting, solicitor Dave Andrews offered his support for the updated amounts, which now align with the state law.

Also during the meeting, the authority followed through with approving several purchases which necessitated quotes under the old policy and the updated version.

As recommended, the authority voted in favor of buying an ice machine at $17,955 from Carnegie Equipment and 25 folding tables, 72 inches each, at $13,437 from Great Lakes, a food service equipment supply company.

The authority also authorized line painting in the main lot and garage at $7,355 and roofing membrane repairs at $6,500.

The convention center's financial report for the first half of the year shows net operating income at $308,416, based on $1.7 million in revenue and $1.4 million in expenses. The revenue includes a one-time payment of $150,000 for 2026, as authorized by Blair County commissioners with proceeds from the county's bed tax revenue.

Mirror Staff Writer Kay Stephens is at 814-946-7456.