Agenda 04/24/2018 Item #16F304/24/2018
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Recommendation to authorize payment of invoices #2935273 and #2961165 to Trimark Strategic
Equipment LLC totaling $223,960 for commercial kitchen equipment and installation services for
the Florida Culinary Accelerator @ Immokalee.
OBJECTIVE: That the Board authorizes payment for commercial kitchen equipment that has been
procured, accepted and installed at the Florida Culinary Accelerator @ Immokalee.
CONSIDERATIONS: On July 12, 2016, the Board approved Resolution 2016-160 authorizing the
County Manager to apply for a USDA Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) for up to $200,000
to equip the Florida Culinary Accelerator @ Immokalee and to execute related documents to effectuate
receipt of the grant. After review of Collier County’s RBDG application, the USDA awarded $112,536
to equip the Florida Culinary Accelerator @ Immokalee, which included a requirement for a local
funding match. On May 26, 2017, the Procurement Services Division released notices of invitation to
Bid No 17-7167 to 887 vendors for ‘Florida Culinary Accelerator at Immokalee Kitchen Equipment
Procurement.’ Thirty-Two (32) solicitation packages were downloaded, and one (1) bid was received on
June 9, 2017, from Trimark Strategic Equipment LLC. Staff recommended and t he Board approved the
award to Trimark Strategic Equipment LLC (the vendor) on June 27, 2017 (agenda item 16.F.3). The
vendor submitted invoice #2935273 ($133,710) on August 25, 2017, and invoice #2961165 ($90,250)
on October 10, 2017.
The grant award expires on June 30, 2018, and requires documentation of payment before
reimbursement is provided to the County. Failure to abide by the terms and conditions of the grant will
likely result in forfeiture of federal funds.
The Clerk’s Office identified concerns regarding this procurement and funding as a part of the EII audit
most recently submitted to the Board. There continue to be irregularities associated with TriMark
invoices submitted by staff and the county match that was provided by the EII DEO grant. The Clerk
understands the timeline required for the County’s USDA grant, and is willing to pay the amount billed
of $223,960 with indemnification by the Board that they are aware of the concerns and understand that
irregularities noted in the audit have not been resolved. The Clerk is willing to pay based upon the total
represented on invoice #2935273 ($133,710) and #2961165 ($90,250) from Trimark, having confirmed
that the equipment was delivered and installed.
FISCAL IMPACT: The equipment procurement and installation in the amount of $223,960 will be
funded by $112,536 of USDA RBDG grant funds combined with $111,424 in matching funds provided
by Economic Incubators Incorporated (EII). Sufficient budget has been provided in Economic
Development grant and grant match funds (713)/(714). EII has deposited $111,424 in matching funds
with the County.
GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: This request is consistent with Objective 3 of the Economic
Element of the Collier County Growth Management Plan, which states: “Collier County will support
programs which are designed to promote and encourage the recruitment of new industry as well as the
expansion and retention of existing industries in order to diversify the County’s economic base.”
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: This item has been reviewed by the County Attorney. The issue is a
theoretical claw-back by DEO of a portion of the payment to Trimark based on the allegations that the
Clerk has raised in his recent internal audit. With respect to Trimark, should such a cla w-back ever in
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fact occur, the County is agreeable to repaying the State. Since this was a County purchase, at the end of
the day, the County is responsible for the full payment for the equipment, irrespective of the grant
money. With that noted, this item has been approved by the County Attorney for form and legality, and
requires majority vote for approval. -JAK
RECOMMENDATION: To authorize payment of invoices #2935273 and #2961165 to Trimark
Strategic Equipment LLC totaling $223,960 for commercial kitchen equipment and installation services
for the Florida Culinary Accelerator @ Immokalee.
Prepared by: Jace Kentner, Director, Office of Business & Economic Development
ATTACHMENT(S)
1. Inv 2935273 (PDF)
2. Inv 2961165 (PDF)
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COLLIER COUNTY
Board of County Commissioners
Item Number: 16.F.3
Doc ID: 5420
Item Summary: Recommendation to authorize payment of invoices #2935273 and #2961165 to
Trimark Strategic Equipment LLC totaling $223,960 for commercial kitchen equipment and installation
services for the Florida Culinary Accelerator @ Immokalee.
Meeting Date: 04/24/2018
Prepared by:
Title: Manager - Technical Systems Operations – Administrative Services Department
Name: Michael Cox
04/18/2018 8:21 PM
Submitted by:
Title: Director – Business and Economic Development
Name: Jace Kentner
04/18/2018 8:21 PM
Approved By:
Review:
Procurement Services Michael Cox Level 1 Purchasing Gatekeeper Skipped 04/18/2018 8:19 PM
County Attorney's Office Michael Cox Level 2 Attorney Review Skipped 04/18/2018 8:19 PM
Grants Michael Cox Level 2 Grants Review Skipped 04/18/2018 8:19 PM
County Attorney's Office Michael Cox Level 3 County Attorney's Office Review Skipped 04/18/2018 8:19 PM
Office of Management and Budget Michael Cox Level 3 OMB Gatekeeper Review Skipped 04/18/2018 8:19 PM
County Manager's Office Leo E. Ochs Level 4 County Manager Review Completed 04/18/2018 8:33 PM
Board of County Commissioners MaryJo Brock Meeting Pending 04/24/2018 9:00 AM
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Packet Pg. 1129 Attachment: Inv 2935273 (5420 : Payment of invoices to Trimark Strategic Equipment)
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Packet Pg. 1133 Attachment: Inv 2935273 (5420 : Payment of invoices to Trimark Strategic Equipment)
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Packet Pg. 1135 Attachment: Inv 2961165 (5420 : Payment of invoices to Trimark Strategic Equipment)
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Packet Pg. 1139 Attachment: Inv 2961165 (5420 : Payment of invoices to Trimark Strategic Equipment)
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Packet Pg. 1140 Attachment: Inv 2961165 (5420 : Payment of invoices to Trimark Strategic Equipment)