State may join contract for electrical and security equipment

The Alaska Department of Administration is considering joining a national purchasing contract that would allow state agencies to buy electrical equipment, lighting, data communications gear and security products through Graybar.

The contract, originally awarded by Kansas City, Missouri in partnership with OMNIA Partners, covers a wide range of products and related services. Alaska agencies could use the contract without running separate competitive bids for these items.

Anyone with concerns or questions about the state joining this contract must submit them in writing by 5:00 p.m. on May 22, 2025. Comments should be sent to [email protected] and [email protected].

The original request for proposals was published in September 2017 and proposals were due in October 2017. The solicitation was not posted on Alaska's public notice site because it was run by Kansas City.

The Department of Administration's Office of Procurement and Property Management handles the contract. More information about the original solicitation is available through OMNIA Partners' website.

If the state proceeds, agencies statewide could purchase from the contract. The arrangement is called a participating addendum, which allows Alaska to piggyback on another government's competitive bidding process.