Connecting The Independent Dealer Channel
Member Action Items:
Member Support Requested for NOPA Request to SBA on Small Business Size and Affiliation Rules
NOPA Connecting eNewsletter - Breaking News
Please visit this section for links to more information and downloadable documents referenced each week in our NOPA Connecting eNewsletter. You may navigate to the referenced section of this website using the navigation bars located along the left side of this page.
Register Now to Participate in OFDA Dealer Strategies Conference & Expo
NOPA members who sell office furniture are invited to attend the OFDA Dealer Strategies Conference in New Orleans, November 12-15. Early-bird registration and special NOPA member rates available through October 17. Come network and exchange best practices with your dealer peers and gain fresh insights on how to develop new business and operate more effectively and strategically as an independent.
Visit www.ofdanet.org to register and click on the OFDA Conference icon link. To obtain your special NOPA member discount rate please download the registration form and return it to NOPA by email or fax as shown on the form Please contact Stephen Peeler at 800/542-6672, x 125 (speeler@nopanet.org) if you encounter any difficulties or would like assistance with registration.
Please make your hotel reservations separately using the link to the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel that is provided on the OFDA conference registration page.
NOPA National Campaign to Challenge Small Business "Fronts"
Congressional Elections Just Weeks Away - Contact Your Senators and Representative Today!
Members of the U.S. House of Representatives and one-third of the U.S. Senate are up for reelection in November. They are on the final campaign trail and should be receptive to your requests that they demonstrate their support of small independent businesses like your own. Read more ... State Procurement Watch in Texas: Texas Dealers Unite Against State Sole-Source RFP for Office Products and Similar RFP for Office Furniture
NOPA and its members were active this summer in applying political pressure through their elected state officials to seek important changes in the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts' (CPA) office products and office furniture RFPs. Initially, CPA planned to issue a single sole-source office supplies contract and a small number of term contracts to cover its office furniture needs. Other State Government Contracting News
California State Contract Developments
NOPA and its members in California have played a major role in prompting a State audit as well as legislative action on the issue of small business "fronts" in California, where legislation passed both houses and was sent to the Governor for signature on August 14. See what follows on this page and NOPA's Government Advocacy section of this website for further information.
NOPA Testifies Before CA State Assembly on Small Business “Fronts”
On behalf of the National Office Products Alliance (NOPA), Diane Griffin, President and Owner of Radston’s Office Plus in Hercules, CA, testified May 15 before the Select Committee on Procurement of the California State Assembly regarding the growing problem of “small business “fronts” in California and nation-wide. Read more ... The April 6 edition of the San Jose Mercury News featured an investigative report on small business "fronts" that make up the consortia of small dealers working with Office Depot under the California state office supplies contract. Read more ...
Georgia Signs Settlement Agreement with Office Depot - Rescinds Debarment Decision But Depot Agrees Not to Rebid
On July 3, the Georgia Department of Administrative Services (DAS) agreed to a settlement with Office Depot that rescinded its June debarment decision and February 2008 office supplies contract termination for cause. Office Depot will withdraw its current law suit against the state as part of its obligations under the so-called "compromise" agreement. Read more ...Georgia Cancels Office Depot State Contract
Nebraska Auditors Find Overcharges, State to Rebid and Open Office Supplies Contract to Office Depot Competitors
That State of Nebraska Department of Administrative Services (DAS) has announced that it will open its office supplies contract and invite Office Depot's competitors to bid on the $4.5 million contract. Read more ... Local Governments in SW Florida Reviewing Office Depot Invoices for Possible Overcharges
Lee County, the City of Fort Myers and the Collier County School District in southwestern Florida are investigating whether they have been overcharged by Office Depot for office supplies, according to an April 24 report by WINK News in Florida. Read more ... NOPA's 2008 Legislative Conference Highlights Independents' Strength in Unity
NOPA’s eighth annual Legislative Conference, held April 1-2 in Washington, DC, brought dozens of independent office product dealers to Washington to lobby their elected representatives and senators on legislative issues affecting the industry. Read more ... Interested in our sister organziation, Office Furniture Dealers Alliance (OFDA)? Visit their site at www.ofdanet.org. NOPA and OFDA are membership divisions of the Independent Office Products and Furniture Dealers Association.
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