Roanoke County Fleet Saves Using Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing Program

Roanoke County saves time, money and gets the exact trucks it needs

Kevin Glass, fleet manager for Roanoke County, says this was the second time his county has taken advantage of cooperative contract purchasing offered by Sourcewell. He cites time savings and thoroughness of spec writing as big benefits for his entity.

By Jenny Holmes

When officials in Roanoke County, VA, were in need of seven waste management vehicles to add to its fleet, it was a no-brainer. A partnership between McNeilus Companies and Sourcewell (formerly NJPA) sweetened the deal, allowing the county to get exactly what it wanted at the best price and value.

Kevin Glass, fleet manager for Roanoke County, says this was the second time his county has taken advantage of cooperative purchasing offered by Sourcewell.

“Unfortunately, in the world we live in today, you’re asked to do more with less,” says Glass. “Oftentimes, while writing specs, I get hurried and end up pushing something through that leaves the door open for some kind of low bid on a non-quality product. While still adhering to procurement guidelines, with Sourcewell I can literally point, press, and click, and get exactly what we’re looking for.”

Glass says that writing specs, specifically on garbage trucks, requires extensive detail from bumper to bumper; but when buying off a Sourcewell contract, you know someone has done the legwork for you.

“Sourcewell allows a fleet manager or bid writer to get a good, quality piece of equipment to perform their job and help the bottom line,” says Glass. “McNeilus trucks have been tested and proven in our fleet time and time again.”

In addition to the up-front cost savings, purchasing from the same vendor that has supplied the county’s other vehicles allowed Roanoke to reap the benefits of soft-cost savings, including no additional training for mechanics and no additional tools required for maintenance.

“McNeilus bodies and arms work great,” says Glass. “Our McNeilus trucks are probably the only group of vehicles in our fleet that come standard. We don’t have to stock parts in the parts room for the various types of equipment you can get from a low bid. We also don’t have to spend the money to have staff trained. Not only is that a savings of time for us, but also a cost savings to our taxpayers.”

Sourcewell’s cooperative purchasing program includes the national purchasing power of more than 50,000 member agencies while also streamlining the required competitive process.

Glass and Roanoke County certainly are a testament to the efficiency and savings of cooperative purchasing for fleet departments.