Security Integrator Supports Local Community During COVID through GSA MAS Contract

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Reprinted with permission from ICU Technologies, a ClearCoast client. This blog post was originally posted by Team ICU on Jul 9, 2020 9:26:30 AM.

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Lake Tahoe Community College’s (LTCC’s) leadership recently executed a plan to provide the community with a COVID Surge overflow hospital but transitioned to being one of only two COVID testing facilities in El Dorado County. Here is how it happened:

LTCC’s Superintendent/President, Jeff DeFranco was quick to recognize the challenges posed by the COVID crisis. Anticipating the need to support the Lake Tahoe community, DeFranco agreed to use part of the LTCC campus as an overflow hospital in the event the local hospital was overwhelmed with patients. Thankfully, the community was quick to protect themselves against the virus and a hospital surge location was not necessary. The work to prepare for hospital overflow, however, was not wasted. A new need arose – finding a suitable COVID testing facility.

LTCC’s Al Frangione, who oversees the college’s facilities and security, was assigned as the Incident Commander for the college. Frangione explained that DeFranco was “all in, to make sure the hospital overflow concept was a success.”  Frangione quickly went to work, defining the necessary space, people, and materials. Frangione explained:

“One key component which is evident in any healthcare setting is security. Access control coupled with video monitoring of access points, perimeter and common spaces is a core responsibility which cannot be overlooked.”

Frangione reached out to ICU Technologies, LTCC’s preferred security integrator, to get an initial design. He explained, “I’ve worked with ICU in the past and am familiar with their GSA/CMAS contract process which cuts through the red tape and makes purchasing and installation as streamlined as possible — especially in an emergency.” He added, “In uncertain times, some companies might up their pricing, but partnering with companies like ICU, which are GSA/CMAS contract holders, protects us as the pricing schedule is in place prior to the emergency and has been approved as being legal, reasonable, and competitive.” An initial assessment led to a decision to install nine public safety cameras and electronic access control to monitor doors at the exterior entrances.

Within a few weeks, the fears about patient overload passed and El Dorado County officials recognized the need for a suitable testing location. Frangione explained, “Since Lake Tahoe Community College was mission-ready, we were selected as one of two county facilities for this critically important work.” The testing location required high levels of security for patients, testing staff, equipment, and to effectively control the security of the samples themselves. To date, 2,800 people have been tested. Details about testing can be found at: https://www.edcgov.us/Government/hhsa/Pages/EDCCOVID-19-Get-A-Test.aspx

ICU’s CEO, Brian Van Norman, said, “we’re happy to support LTCC in this critically important public health undertaking.” He added, “We applaud LTCC Superintendent/President Jeff Defranco’s vision and forward-thinking response.” Van Norman continued by explaining, “We are proud our company has the ability to quickly respond to meet community needs through our well established industry relationships, with manufacturer partners like Motorola-Avigilon, and our large subcontractor network that spans the Western States.”

Public sector leaders with security related issues should contact ICU Technologies at: icu-techinc.com

Opportunities for GSA MAS Contractors in the Time of COVID-19

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President Donald Trump signed into law Friday afternoon, March 27, 2020 a historic $2 trillion stimulus package as the American public and the US economy fight the devastating spread of COVID-19.

The far-reaching legislation stands as the largest emergency aid package in US history. The $2 trillion federal stimulus bill also includes $340 billion (in addition to the $150 billion) in emergency supplemental funding of which more than 80 percent ($274 billion) will go directly to states and localities, according to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Here is a breakdown of some of the key funding streams that are either directly related to technology or may incorporate technology as an allowable expense:

  • $400 million for elections security
  • $25 million for distance learning, telemedicine and broadband for rural communities
  • $850 million to states and localities through the Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) for public safety and criminal justice agencies
  • $200 million for telehealth for the FCC to support healthcare providers
  • $9.1 million to protect critical infrastructure from Department of Homeland Security
  • $500 million for public health data surveillance and infrastructure modernization for state and local public health
  • $1.5 billion in state and local preparedness grants from FEMA
  • $13.5 billion in formula funding for K-12 districts to meet immediate needs and improve use of ed tech $5 billion in Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) to provide states and localities with the resources to serve their constituents
  • $4 billion in homeless assistance grants to address the homeless population during COVID-19
  • $1.5 billion in grants for economic development for communities suffering due to COVID-19

What does this mean for government contractors?

It means opportunities. Plain and simple. Government contractors are playing and will continue to play a critical role in supporting government decision makers with their immediate, near-term and long-term response requirements.

As a result of COVID-19, federal and state governments have a sudden and unanticipated need for more goods and services.  Some of those goods and services are highly specialized and specific to COVID-19.  FEMA has published a list of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and critical supplies needed at this time along with their contact information.

But governments also have an increased and urgent need to buy otherwise-routine goods and services that have become newly critical in the wake of COVID-19.

All of this means that there are and will be procurements where speed is the priority, and where there is no time for the normal pace and cadence of the procurement process and contract formation.  It also means that resources necessarily will get taken away from routine procurement tasks and reallocated to urgent matters.

If you are a GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) holder this is great news as you are eligible to provide needed supplies and services to State and Local agencies during this crisis. The GSA MAS is specifically designed to address emergencies and government leaders are being encouraged to work with pre-approved vendors through the GSA MAS Disaster and Recovery Program. Purchase thresholds have even been increased to allow for greater and immediate procurement flexibility.

Be a Strategic Partner and Problem Solver.

This is not the time for cold calls. C-level government decision makers need trusted partners and proven solutions which can address their immediate needs including:

  • Rapidly deploying telework and remote work for state and local agencies
  • Securing this new mobile workforce and protecting existing assets
  • Expanding the number of digital services to serve constituents and businesses
  • Everything that directly supports the COVID-19 response

Technology is playing a critical role in the coordination and response of state and local government agencies to COVID-19. Get with your government customers. Ask them how you can help. Tell them you are a GSA MAS contract holder. And then muster your resources, creativity and solutions to be a leader during this time of crisis.

Things are moving fast. We will continue to monitor as best we can and keep you updated.

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