By Katie Logisz
November 21, 2005

The United States Conference of Mayors, through the U.S. Communities Government Purchasing Alliance, is pleased to announce the availability of a wide range of homeland security products and equipment by Hagemeyer, available at a substantial discount. The Hagemeyer contract with U.S. Communtiies offers the best national pricing (39 percent off published prices) on a number of products.

All U.S. Communities contracts are competitively bid by a public agency. Cities can piggyback onto these contracts, thereby availing themselves of the best services and equipment at reduced prices.

Hagemeyer offers the following homeland security products and equipment:

• Decontamination equipment

• Detection equipment

• Explosive device mitigation and remediation equipment

• Interoperable communications equipment

• Logistical support equipment

• Medical supplies

• Personal protective equipment

• Physical security enhancement equipment

• Reference materials

• Search and rescue equipment

• Terrorism incident prevention equipment

• Other non-listed public safety, law enforcement, and fire equipment

The cost for many of these homeland security products may be eligible for reimbursement through a grant program from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office of Domestic Preparedness. For more information on Federal Homeland Security grants, contact your state’s Office of Emergency Services or visit the Office of Domestic Preparedness website at www.ojp.usdog.gov/odp/grants_goals.htm.

“The Conference is proud to be a founding sponsor of the U.S. Communities program and most pleased with the growth in number of companies and services now available to our cities at very favorable pricing. Today, more than 9,000 cities, counties, schools, and other public agencies utilize the U.S. Communities contracts, for products ranging from playground equipment and furniture to janitorial and electrical supplies. I encourage you and your staff to look into this program today,” said Conference Executive Director Tom Cochran.

Participation in U.S. Communities is free. Contracts are competitively bid and non-exclusive. There is no participation fee and no minimum spending requirements. Significant savings have been realized through the aggregate purchasing power and cooperation from local governments nationwide.

U.S. Communities also offers savings on carpet and flooring, electrical and telecomm products, janitorial supplies, office furniture, office machines, office and school supplies, park and playground equipment, P.E. supplies, school furniture, and technology products. Visit the website usmayors.org or directly at www.uscommunties.org.

Information on homeland security equipment can be obtained directly by contacted Hagemeyer North America, toll-free at 888-745-6486 or send e-mail to uscommunities@hagemeyerna.com. For more information on how your city can benefit from the savings available through the U.S. Communities program, please contact Katie Logisz with the Conference at 202-861-6739 or send e-mail to klogisz@usmayors.org.