Tennessee CPO Local Chronicle
In this newsletter:
• Message from Laitin Beecham, Director of Category Management
• Employee Spotlight
• Statewide Contract Spotlight
• Statewide Contracts Updates
• Webinar: See How Tennessee & VWR Transformed Supplier Performance Reviews
• Quick Links
Trivia Question: Tennessee shares its borders with how many states?
Message from Laitin Beecham, Director of Category Management - CPO
Welcome to the second edition of the Tennessee CPO Local Chronicle! This issue features contract updates across multiple categories,
a spotlight on SWC 182 (Elevator Maintenance, Modernization, and Repair Services), and an employee profile on Seth Lake, one of the dedicated team members supporting statewide procurement.
We’re also excited to share how feedback from local and state users is driving real change. In partnership with Procurated, we launched a feedback campaign with VWR International—and in our upcoming webinar, you’ll learn how that input is being used to enhance collaboration and deliver better supplier performance.
We look forward to continuing this journey with you and appreciate your role in making procurement more effective for communities across Tennessee.
Employee Spotlight – Seth Lake
What’s your favorite hobby?
Hockey. I’m retired from playing due to injury but have been around the game all my life and got into coaching back in the fall of 1999. I’ve coached at the collegiate club level with the University of Connecticut (1999-2003) and Middle Tennessee State University (2004-2009), I currently coach at the high school level with the Hendersonville-Beech-Lawson High School co-op and travel hockey with the Nashville Flyers 16UA1 team competing this season in the Southern Youth Travel Hockey League’s 16UAA division. Previously, I won a Predators Cup State Championship with Centennial High School in 2014 after helping lead the team to the 2013 GNASH Cup as League Champions and achieve a top-eight finish at the 2013 USA Hockey Nationals Tournament, led the Nashville Flyers 18UAA team to the 2022-2023 SYTHL Playoff Championship and the Flyers 14UA1 program last season to an undefeated season in SYTHL league play, winning both the 2024-2025 Regular Season and Playoff Championships with a record of 22-0-2 and a 39-10-7 record overall. What I’m most proud of, though, is that I’ve helped guide over 75 players from Middle Tennessee into collegiate hockey from my time at the high school level and I continue to see that number rise annually.
Do you have a favorite spot in Tennessee?
My wife and I really enjoy taking vacations to Pickwick Landing State Park in Counce, TN, and staying in The Lodge at Pickwick Landing State Park. It is truly a relaxing atmosphere, and there is so much to do and explore around the park and the area. The Shiloh National Military Park, which preserves the civil war battlefield of the Battle of Shiloh (1862), is about 15 minutes away and offers an eye-opening, and an experience worth visiting. Close to the Mississippi and Alabama borders, it’s a great place to escape the city and relax for the weekend!
What do you like best working for the State?
I enjoy working for the State and particularly with the Department of General Services, as we touch every Agency within the State and indirectly serve all citizens and visitors to our State. One of the main transitions coming from the private sector to the public sector has been a focus on work-life balance. I feel more energized and empowered to make a difference with a balanced schedule after many years in the private sector. In General Services, we have a fantastic team and office environment that supports and encourages each other to make a difference every day!
Work History:
Prior to working for the State, I spent 20 years in the pharmacy industry serving my community in retail pharmacy as a pharmacy technician for a decade prior to joining a closed-door pharmacy serving State and Local correctional facilities throughout the United States as the Inventory Manager and Finance & Procurement Manager. During my time in closed-door pharmacy, I served for five years as an Advisory Board Member to the Long-Term Care – Advisory Board for the Premier/Innovatix Group Purchasing Organization and helped open and oversaw the inventory for the State of Tennessee Department of Correction Main Central Pharmacy on the grounds of the Lois M. DeBerry Special Needs Facility serving the needs of all 14 prison sites within the State of Tennessee.
On which contracts are you listed as the Contract Administrator?
I’m currently serving as the Contract Administrator for:
Statewide Contract (SWC) of SWC 106 – Interior and Exterior Signs
· SWC 161 – Third Party Administration of Refuse and Waste Management Services
· SWC 178 – Traffic Paint and Glass Beads
· SWC 182 – Elevator Maintenance, Modernization, and Repair
· SWC 269 – Biomedical and Pathological Waste Disposal Services
· SWC 369 – Household Linens and Rags, SWC 370 – Uniform, Linen
· Dust Control Rental Services, SWC 436 – Lamps, Batteries, & Scrap Metal Recycling
· SWC 820 – Debris Removal Services.
Additionally, I’m serving as the Solicitation Coordinator for SWC 825 – Debris Monitoring Consulting Services and will become the Contract Administrator upon award.
Do you have a favorite quote or motto?
“The person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the person doing it.” – Chinese Proverb
Do you have any advice for locals wishing to utilize SWCs?
Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask if an item is included on a Statewide Contract. There are some SWC’s that include far more than is what is listed in the title and as Contract Administrators we are always here to help you see if there’s a way, we can help you benefit from the State’s purchasing power.
🔦 Statewide Contract Spotlight: SWC 182 for Elevator Maintenance, Modernization, and Repair Services
The State of Tennessee has a statewide contract (SWC 182) for elevator maintenance, modernization, and repair services with KONE, INC that is available to state agencies, local users, members of the University of Tennessee or Tennessee Board of Regents systems, any private non-profit institution of higher education chartered in Tennessee, and any corporation exempt from taxation under 26 U.S.C. Section 501(c)(3) and which contracts with the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse to provide services to the public.
What types of conveyance devices are covered under SWC 182? The contract includes services for a variety of conveyance devices including elevators, escalators, dumbwaiters, dock levelers, and wheelchair lifts.
What services are included within SWC 182? The contract includes services for repairs, normal maintenance and periodic inspections, off-schedule maintenance - routine response (within business hours), priority response (within 24 hours), and emergency response (when a person or persons are entrapped or all elevators on a floor are out of service). Additionally, the contract also includes rates for the modernization of units with labor rates defined and cost limited to a 15% markup on parts.
What is one thing that makes the Statewide contract different than other contracts for these services? In SWC 182, the Contractor is limited to a predetermined maximum Trip Charge for travel to and from your facility. Other contracts charge you at standard rates for travel to and from your facility without restriction. Locations in Davidson, Hamilton, Knox, and Shelby counties are excluded from Trip Charges saving users money.
How can I join this contract? Qualifying parties wishing to use SWC 182 should contact KONE per the information within our Usage Instructions and to setup an Initial Inspection/consultation. If repairs are determined to be needed, they are covered under the Contract. To join SWC 182, Users should issue a purchase order to the Contractor for services to be rendered, and they will be attached to the Contract. You do not have to do a solicitation to experience the benefits of this Statewide Contract.
📣 SWC Recent Updates: 📣
New Contract Awards:
SWC 226 Winter Road Maintenance Equipment – CPO has awarded four (4) contracts to Chemung Supply Corp. (87935), Valk Manufacturing Company (87936), Varitech Industries Inc (87937), Viking Cives Midwest Inc. (87938), which all began on August 1, 2025.
Contract Administrator: Will London
SWC 236 TRICOR Janitorial Supplies – The Certification Committee has granted a one-year certification for TRICOR Janitorial Supplies under Contract 87871. This is an optional use contract, available for agencies that choose to utilize it. The contract includes janitorial products that may also be available on other statewide contracts, such as SWC 235 Industrial Cleaning Products. Buyers are encouraged to review available contracts to determine which best meets their needs. The minimum order for this contract is $300.
Contract Administrator: Adam Mamula
SWC 439 Dental Supplies and Equipment – The remaining supplier, Patterson Dental Supply, Inc. Contract (87425) is approved and executed with a Begin Date of August 20th, 2025. The initial term will expire on December 31, 2026, with three (3) one-year extensions. Usage instructions will be updated to reflect the ordering details and contact information after contract execution.
Contract Administrator: Celena Milliken
Solicitation Updates:
SWC 209 Vehicles – RFI Event ITB 32110-13691 was issued August 5, 2025, and the Pre-Response Conference occurred on August 11, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. CT. The Written Questions and Comments were due by August 13, 2025, by 4:00 p.m. CT. CPO is currently working on responses to the questions and comments and updating the bid event before posting.
Contract Administrator: Mike Neely
SWC 226 Winter Road Maintenance Equipment – The first seven lines of the bid sheet on the previous solicitation, which covers rust preventatives and salt neutralizers, were not bid. CPO created and issued RFx Event ITB 32110-13698 to capture the unbid items. This event was posted with a start date of August 18, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. CT. The response deadline was August 25, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. CT.
Contract Administrator: Will London
SWC 331 Ammunition – ITB RFx event 32110-13688 is active. The event was posted August 6, 2025, and had a response deadline of September 19, 2025, at 3:30 p.m. CT.
Contract Administrator: Kristine Mitchell
SWC 530 Pharmaceutical Products – Effective January 1, 2026, the State of Tennessee will transition to a new pharmaceutical wholesaler under SWC 530, procured through the MMCAP cooperative. The current contract with Cardinal Healthcare (contract #64726) will end on December 31, 2025. The new contract will be with Morris & Dickson (contract #88403)
Morris & Dickson has already begun transitioning accounts for our top State Agency users. If your agency utilizes SWC 530 and has not yet been contacted to establish accounts or ordering information, please reach out to the Contract Administrator.
Contract Administrator: Celena Milliken
SWC 386 Videoconferencing (VC) Systems - The solicitation resulted in potentially three new contracts for VC systems with the support of the STS-UCC team. Two of the three contracts have been executed: the primary contract (87922), effective with One Diversified, executed August 1, 2025, and the tertiary contract (87927), effective with GC Business Solutions (Operating as AVDG, LLC.), executed August 19, 2025. We are still working out some security-related issues with the potential secondary contract awardee.
Contract Administrator: Connor Petschke
SWC 3004 Audiovisual and Video Conference Room – CPO is working on the procurement for Audio Visual and Video Conferencing systems contract that will provide an option for purchasing custom solutions without the support or involvement of the STS-UCC team and the solicitation is out for bid.
Contract Administrator: Connor Petschke
SWC 121 Shredding Services – CPO posted RFI 32101-13693 for questions and comments on August 1, 2025. Questions and Comments closed August 13, 2025.
Contract Administrator: Lauryen Harris
SWC 191 Slope Stabilization Services – The final RFQ solicitation documents are pending COT review.
Contract Administrator: Amber Lovell
SWC 205 Vehicle Rental – RFP was issued on March 6, 2025. The protest period concluded on June 30, 2025, with no protests. CPO is currently working with STS and legal to review redlines. The current contract end date has been extended to September 19, 2025.
Contract Administrator Kelly Bekele
MOUs and Amendments:
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Renewals and Extensions:
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Webinar: See How Tennessee & VWR Transformed Supplier Performance Reviews
You’re invited to an exciting webinar where you’ll learn how the State of Tennessee and Avantor/VWR International transformed the way they share performance data during their annual business review process with the help of Canary.
Join us on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at 2:30 PM ET to hear directly from:
- Will London, Central Procurement Office, State of Tennessee
- Ginger Heldreth, VWR International
In this session, you’ll discover:
✅ How they gathered meaningful end-user feedback with Canary
✅ The insights they gained and how those insights drove better collaboration
✅ Practical steps you can take to get started with Canary in your own organization
This is a great opportunity to see how government and suppliers can work together to drive better outcomes and how you can apply these ideas to your own work.
Reserve your spot today:
Register Here
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Procurated
The CPO has partnered with Procurated to gather reviews of our Statewide Contractors. Procurated can be accessed via CPO’s website. Simply click the Write a Statewide Contractor Review button at the top of the page to access the Tennessee CPO Procurated page. Statewide Contract suppliers are sorted alphabetically. If you have questions, please contact the CPO at CPO.SWC@tn.gov.
Trivia Answer: Answer: 8 (Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Missouri)