BRAMNICK: STATE TREASURY PREVENTS NJ OFFICE SUPPLY FIRMS FROM BIDDING GOV'T CONTRACTWILL HOLD PRESS CONFERENCE SATURDAYSeventeen office supply firms have advised Assemblyman Jon Bramnick, R-Union, Morris, Somerset and Essex, that a new directive from the state Treasury Department excluded them from bidding on a multi-million dollar government contract.As a result, Bramnick will join the small businessmen at 12 p.m., Saturday, August 22, 2209, for a press conference at Bramnick’s law office, at 1827 East Second St., Scotch Plains, N.J. The state recently announced it would be signing a contract, effective Sept. 1, with Staples Advantage, which has its corporate headquarters in Massachusetts.In awarding the new contract, Bramnick said it appears the state disregarded the portion of the law that says the agreement must be the most cost effective. “We don’t know if it’s the most cost effective unless these 17 firms have a chance to bid,” Bramnick said.The 17 firms are part of the National Office Products Alliance and have been supplying the state since 2004. Only last week they learned their contracts would not be renewed and the new contract would be awarded without giving them an opportunity to bid. The assemblyman had demanded information from the Treasury Department, but could not obtain any until the last minute – placing the small businesses in a precarious position.Bramnick urged the Corzine Administration to rethink its decision. He said the small business owners questioned whether the state would be receiving the same quality merchandise under the new contract. “They told me a pen is not a pen,” Bramnick said, adding, “You may pay less for the pen and the pen may run out of ink sooner.”He noted that the 17 office supply firms are located throughout New Jersey and employ more than 200 workers and should be given an opportunity to compete for state business.For more information contact: Diane Walsh at 908-400-4214.                                            ####