Avolve's "ProjectDox" software - $218,000 deal with Hillsborough County, FL for "electronic plan-review" software

On July 16, 2009, we posted on this blog an article entitled:

“A Nearly "Paperless" Construction Project ? (This post also includes a list of 7 issues that may have an effect on reprographer revenues.)”

In paragraph 6 of that article, we said this:

Electronic Permitting? - The City of Atlanta recently initiated an end-to-end digital plan submission process through ProjectDox ePlan software (referred to on the City's web-site as ePlans.) "Atlanta is one of the first cities in the Southeast to implement a complete online solution for construction and land-use plan approval, in what is to become a nation-wide technology standard for building and planning departments." Firms who apply for permits submit files, rather than submitted printed sets of plans. What effect will this type of business model have on reprographers?

Very recently, while surfing the “Notice of Bids” section of the Hillsborough County, FL Purchasing Department web-site, I came across a “sole source” award the County made to Avolve Software for the purchase of ProjectDox software. Avolve is the creator of Projectdox software.

No price competition, since Avolve is the only company one can purchase ProjectDox software from! $218,000 deal!

If you care to read it, here’s what Hillsborough County’s Purchasing Department published about that sole-source award:

Hillsborough County Department of Procurement Services 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., County Center, 18th Floor P.O. Box 1110, Tampa, Fl 33601 Telephone (813) 272-5790 Fax (813) 272-6290 www.hillsboroughcounty.org/procurementservices

NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE

FILE NUMBER: SS-P-0082-0-2011/JM

PURCHASE OF ProjectDox Electronic Plan Review Software For the Planning and Growth Management Department.

Hillsborough County intends to recommend the award of a sole source purchase agreement for the purchase of ProjectDox Electronic Plan Review Software to Avolve Software Corporation in the amount of $218,000.00. This procurement is considered a sole source due to Avolve Software Corp. having sole proprietorship of the ProjectDox Rockwell Automation Software. ProjectDox is the only software application available with installed, working and proven integration with Permits Plus. Permits Plus is the County’s existing permit tracking software used in multiple County departments.

Contractors who believe they can meet or exceed the above stated requirement must provide convincing technical data sufficient to support their position. The Hillsborough County Department of Procurement Services must receive replies to this notice not later than close of business on 12/30/10. After this date, an award will be made. Responses to this notice will be used to determine whether bona fide competition exists.

Send written responses to the Hillsborough County Department of Procurement Services, 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., County Center, 18th Floor, Tampa, Florida, 33601, Attention Jock McGlathery, or FAX to (813) 272-6290. For further information call (813) 272-5790.