Tennessee CPO Local Chronicle - January 2026
In this newsletter:
• Message from Laitin Beecham, Director of Category Management
• Employee Spotlight
• Statewide Contract Spotlight
• Statewide Contracts Updates
• Quick Links
Trivia Question: What is the oldest town in Tennessee? Answer at the end of this newsletter
Message from Laitin Beecham, Director of Category Management - CPO
Message from Laitin Beecham, Director of Category Management – CPO
Welcome to the third edition of the Tennessee CPO Local Chronicle! We hope everyone enjoyed a wonderful holiday season. As we begin 2026, the CPO looks forward to another productive year partnering with you.
In this issue, you’ll find updates across several categories, a spotlight on Statewide Contract (SWC) 365: Paper and Plastic Goods, and an employee profile featuring Kristine Mitchell, one of our dedicated Commodities Category Specialists.
Have a question about a specific statewide contract—or statewide contracts in general? Email us at CPO.SWC@tn.gov. Your question may even be featured in an upcoming “Ask CPO” segment!
This quarter, the CPO received several requests for contract documents across various SWCs. Most SWC contract documents are available through our Supplier Portal.
If you’re unable to locate the documents you need, please reach out to the contract administrator listed in the SWC Usage Instructions.
Thank you for your continued partnership. We look forward to supporting your organization’s goals and seeing how SWCs help you succeed throughout 2026!
Laitin W. Beecham
Laitin.Beecham@tn.gov
Director of Category Management
Employee Spotlight – Kristine Mitchell
How long have you been with the State? I have worked for the State of Tennessee for just over two years, I was the first Hiring Our Heroes Fellow to fellowship with the CPO after retiring from the U.S. Army.
What’s your favorite hobby? My favorite hobby is crafting and being creative; I enjoy giving people homemade gifts.
Do you have a favorite spot in Tennessee? I don’t have one favorite spot in Tennessee, but I do love all the trails and waterfalls I have visited thus far, the Tennessee outdoors is beautiful and spectacular.
Education: I have an associate’s degree in general studies and a bachelor’s in human development and Family Studies through the American Military University.
Work History: I enlisted in the Army at 17 and departed for basic training a month after graduation at 18. I served as a Military Police Officer and retired after 20 years of honorable service. Throughout my military career, I was stationed in Germany; Fort Belvoir, Virginia; South Korea; Fort Drum, New York; Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri; Fort Carson, Colorado; and Fort Campbell, Kentucky. I also completed three overseas deployments: Baghdad, Iraq (2004-2005 and 2006-2007) and Kuwait (2018-2019).
On what contracts are you listed as the Contract Administer? I am the contract administrator for SWC154 Household Appliances, SWC202 Emergency Audible/Visual Equipment & Parts, SWC317 Copy Paper, SWC331 Ammunition, SWC349 Police RADAR/LIDAR, SWC357 Firearms, SWC365 Paper & Plastic Goods, SWC427 Institutional Apparel & Hygiene Supplies, and SWC564 Homeland Security, Public Safety, & Emergency Preparedness.
Do you have a favorite quote or motto? My favorite quote is “Life has no limitations; except ones you make” – Les Brown.
Do you have any advice for locals wishing to utilize SWCs? If you have questions, please contact a CPO representative, they can provide guidance or connect you with the appropriate person. SWCs offer pre-negotiated pricing, ensure compliance with procurement laws, save time, and feature vetted and verified vendors. The State maintains a wide range of SWCs that local users are encouraged to utilize and benefit from.
🔦 Statewide Contract Spotlight: SWC 365 Paper & Plastic Goods
SWC 365 Paper and Plastic Goods contract is effective from April 1, 2025, through March 31, 2028, with two one-year renewal options. This contract was awarded to two suppliers (American Paper & Twine and Central Poly-Bag Corporation) by category.
This contract provides:
Awarded to American Paper & Twine: Non-Disposable Culinary items (typically make from durable materials such as metal, glass, or high-quality plastic).
Awarded to American Paper & Twine: Disposable Culinary Items (paper plates, plastic cutlery, disposable cups, take-out containers, etc.).
Awarded to American Paper & Twine: Janitorial Paper Products and Dispensers (paper towels, toilet paper, toilet seat covers, and dispensers).
Awarded to American Paper & Twine: Paper Bags (various shapes, sizes, and styles).
Awarded to Central Poly-Bag Corporation: Trash Can Liners (various sizes, shapes, and thicknesses).
This contract also has environmentally preferable paper and plastic goods options available via catalog.
📣 SWC Recent Updates: 📣
New Contract Awards :
SWC 191 Slope Stabilization Services – The RFQ# resulted in the award of four (4) contracts with Geostabilization International LLC (#89136), Guardian Fence and Construction (#89137), Harrison Western Construction Corp (#89138), and Hinkle Environmental Services, LLC (#89139), utilizing a tiered structure that specifies a Contractor A, B, and C for each of the five (5) Groups. These contracts went into effect on December 13, 2025. The current expiration date is December 12, 2028 with two (2) one-year renewals remaining.
Contract Administrator: Amber Lovell
SWC 209 Vehicles: – RFx Event ITB 32110-13710 is complete. Supplier contracts are finalized and approved, effective October 24, 2025. Thirteen (13) suppliers were awarded a contract for varying brands. Wilson County Motors (#88746), TT of Columbia (#88750), Roberts Toyota (#88751), Alan Jay Automotive Mgt (#88753), Cumberland International (#88754), Blue Sky Automotive (#88761), TT of F Murfreesboro (#88762), Lonnie Cobb Ford LLC (#88764), Donohoo Chevrolet (88784), Carl Black Chevy (#88785), Two Rivers Ford (#88786), Gallatin Motors LLC (88787), Nashville Automotive LLC (#88788).
Contract Administrator: Mike Neely
SWC 316 Office Supplies – The CPO has executed a Participating Addendum (PA) with the current incumbent, ODP Business Solutions (#88876), through the NASPO cooperative to establish a new Statewide Contract for Office Supplies, effective January 1, 2026. Negotiation for a PA with Staples to establish their contract to allow for a multi-award SWC are ongoing.
Contract Administrator: Will London
SWC 331 Ammunition – ITB has concluded. Supplier contracts are finalized and approved, effective December 1, 2025. Seven (7) suppliers were awarded: Accurate Law Enforcement Government Sales (#88913), Dana Safety Supply Inc. (#88916), GT Distributors Inc. (88918), Gulf State Distributors (#88919), Pinnacle Precision LLC (#88921), Precision Delta Corporation (#88923), and Warrior Sports Holdings LLC dba Precision One (#88926). Gulf State Distributors, Pinnacle Precision, Precision Delta, and Warrior Sports Holdings LLC dba Precision One were awarded the Lethal Ammunition category. Accurate Law Enforcement Government Sales and GT Distributors Inc. were awarded the Less-Than-Lethal category. Dana Safety Supply Inc. and Gulf State Distributors were awarded the Training and Marking Rounds category.
Contract Administrator: Kristine Mitchell
SWC 530 Pharmaceutical Products – The contract with Cardinal Health (#64726) will end on December 31, 2025. The new contract with Morris & Dickson (#88403) begins on January 1, 2026. Account representatives for Morris & Dickson have been working diligently to ensure a smooth transition. If your agency has not contacted Morris & Dickson, please reach out to the Contract Administrator to facilitate a discussion on account creation and training.
Contract Administrator: Celena Milliken
SWC 923 Custom Continuous and Snap-Out Forms (CMRA) – The Certification Committee voted to re-certify for a one-year period beginning November 1, 2025, and will go through October 31, 2026. No price increase was requested for this contract. The new contract number is #88818.
Contract Administrator: Adam Mamula
SWC 927 Mattresses, Pads & Coverings (CMRA) – The Certification Committee voted to certify for a one-year period beginning December 1, 2025, and will go through November 30, 2026. The new contract number is #89034.
Contract Administrator: Adam Mamula
Solicitation Updates:
SWC 121 Shredding Services –Notice of Intent to Award recommending Stericycle Inc. (the incumbent vendor) for contract award on regions one through four was released December 4, 2025. The open file period concluded December 10, 2025. The CPO is currently finalizing the contract documents within Edison. Contract Administrator: Lauryen Harris
SWC 227 Facility Protection Services – The CPO recently received feedback on the specifications for the RFP. The first drafts of the solicitation documents are in progress. The current contract’s end date is December 31, 2026. If you have any additional feedback on the next solicitation, please contact the contract administrator.
Contract Administrator: Amber Lovell
SWC 387 MSP for Contract Labor – The CPO completed focus groups with several agencies to gather feedback for the next contract. The CPO is now finalizing an RFI, and solicitation documents are in the process of being developed. The current contract expiration date is February 28, 2027. If you have any additional feedback on the next solicitation, please contact the contract administrator.
Contract Administrator Kelly Bekele
SWC 700 Electrical, HVAC, Plumbing, Boiler, and Chiller Systems Maintenance & Repair – The ITB has been created and is pending COT approval. Current contract end date is March 31, 2026.
Contract Administrator: Taylor Dozier
SWC 825 Debris Monitoring Services – The CPO issued RFP 32110-82525 for Debris Monitoring Services on December 16, 2025. This contract will be a pre-positioned contract to be used in the event of declared disaster cleanup.
Contract Administrator: Seth Lake
SWC 3027 Manufacturer Based Software and Support – A notice of intent to award has been made and the State continues to negotiate with the leading bidder. This contract expires January 21, 2026.
Contract Administrator: Michael Gross
SWC 3019 Esper Software – The CPO is working on the reprocurement of this contract. The current contract expires on August 31, 2026.
Contract Administrator: Zohreh Hurd
SWC 3054 SAS Software – The CPO is working on the reprocurement of this contract. The current contract expires on October 28, 2026.
Contract Administrator: Zohreh Hurd
SWC 424 Motorola Radio Equipment and Services (Confidential): Negotiations for the new contract have started and will be completed next spring. CPO is exploring how extending the current contract #65725 beyond its current expiration date of March 31, 2026.
Contract Administrator: Richard Kotler
SWC 319 Satellite Comm Hardware – The CPO is working on the sole source re-procurement for this contract. This contract’s expiration is August 31, 2026.
Contract Administrator: Ryan Gaddis
SWC 119 Acadis Software – The CPO is working on the sole source re-procurement for this contract. This contract’s expiration is December 30, 2026.
Contract Administrator: Ryan Gaddis
SWC 240 EV Charge Station, Equip, Serv: – The CPO is moving forward with a new statewide contract and entering two (2) Participating Addendums (PA) through NASPO for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations, Equipment, & Services. The two (2) suppliers recommended are District Fleet, LLC and IoTecha, Corp. The business case has been approved by the CPO and COT. Draft PAs were sent over to COT for review on November 10, 2025, once approved the PAs will be sent to both suppliers for signature and/or negotiations.
Contract Administrator: Adam Mamula
MOUs and Amendments:
SWC 102 Building Materials – An amendment was executed on October 21, 2025, increasing and restructuring the estimated liability categories. The CPO also finalized two supplier name changes (Interface Americas and CBG Acquisition).
Contract Administrator: Kelly Bekele
SWC 222 Vehicle Leasing – MOU #2 was executed on December 10, 2025, adding 2026 model year vehicles to the contract.
Contract Administrator: Kelly Bekele
SWC 387 MSP for Contract Labor – MOU #14 was executed on October 23, 2025, updating the Language and Communication services offerings and structure as well as adding substitute teaching roles to the rate card.
Contract Administrator: Kelly Bekele
SWC 238 Office Furniture – The CPO executed an amendment with MillerKnoll on November 13, 2025, regarding the Returns and Restocking Fee clause. This amendment has allowed negotiations for the independent dealer agreement to proceed, with execution expected by early January.
Contract Administrator: Will London
SWC 531 Birth Control Devices – The CPO executed an amendment for B Holding Group who has been renamed B Optima Health, and a new contract and supplier ID number have been assigned. The new contract number is #NV78929. The contract offers the same items and pricing as the previous contract with B Holding Group, and the expiration date remains June 30, 2026.
Contract Administrator: Celena Milliken
SWC 102 Building Materials – The final renewal option has been executed, extending the expiration date to October 31, 2026.
Contract Administrator Kelly Bekele
SWC 161 TPA Refuse & Waste Management – The CPO has executed the first renewal option for Contract #78432 with Recycle Track Systems Inc. (RTS) to extend the contract through May 14, 2027. There is one remaining renewal option at the State’s discretion.
Contract Administrator: Seth Lake
SWC 504 Winter Road Maintenance and Materials – The CPO exercised the second and final renewal of contracts #72738 (Magic Salt of Kentucky LLC), #72739 (QUIKRETE HOLDINGS INC), and #72740 (Sicalco Ltd). The contract end date is October 26, 2026.
Contract Administrator: Amber Lovell
SWC 820 Emergency Debris Removal – The CPO has executed the renewal option on both Contract #85444 with AshBritt Inc to extend the contract through December 13, 2026, and Contract #85445 with Phillips Heavy Inc to extend the contract through December 12, 2026. There are no remaining renewal options on either contract. The CPO is developing a new solicitation for the next iteration of the contract.
Contract Administrator: Seth Lake
SWC 315 Online Security Awareness Training – The CPO has completed the final one-year renewal for online security training with Cengage. The current contract expires on October 24, 2026.
Contract Administrator: Michael Gross
SWC 3999 NASPO COTS/SVAR Software – The CPO is working on the second one-year renewal of this contract. The new contract expiration date will be December 31, 2026.
Contract Administrator: Zohreh Hurd
SWC 3017 Mass Notification Software – A renewal option has been exercised, and the new expiration date is December 14, 2026.
Contract Administrator: Richard Kotler
SWC 423 JVC and BK Tech Radios – Renewal options for both suppliers are in the approval process and both will be extended. JVCKenwood until January 23, 2027, and BK Tech until January 31, 2027.
Contract Administrator: Richard Kotler
SWC 3111 Caret Legal Software – A renewal option will be exercised. The current expiration date is March 31, 2026.
Contract Administrator: Ryan Gaddis
SWC 209 Vehicles: – The CPO has exercised an extension for the current contracts covering model year 2025 vehicles, these have been extended to June 28, 2026.
Contract Administrator: Mike Neely
SWC 533 Influenza Vaccine (Manufacture) – The CPO has exercised an extension with Sanofi (#77354). The contract is now effective through June 30, 2026.
Contract Administrator: Celena Milliken
SWC 250 Fleet Card Services – The CPO exercised an extension with WEX Bank (#85305). This contract is now effective through December 31, 2027.
Contract Administrator: Will London
Other Updates
SWC 201 Equipment Rental – Herc Rentals Inc. has acquired H&E Equipment Services Inc. Currently, both contracts of H&E’s contracts (#73900 and #81479) are still active. The CPO is awaiting approval from the Fiscal Review Committee to allow Herc Rentals Inc. to take over both H&E contracts. Until this approval is received, all estimates and invoices must have H&E’s name and correct remit to billing address information listed. Please contact the contract administrator if you receive documentation that does not follow these guidelines.
Contract Administrator: Lauryen Harris
SWC 439 Dental Equipment and Supplies – Henry Schein (#87041) is no longer available on SmartShop. Henry Schein’s is still available for use through SmartShop for SWC 440 (#81388) Medical Supplies. If you need to order dental items, please refer to the Usage Instructions for ordering information.
Contract Administrator: Celena Milliken
SWC 439 Dental Equipment and Supplies – When receiving quotes from Patterson Dental (#87425), ensure no additional terms, conditions, or signature pages are included. Agencies cannot accept supplemental terms on statewide contracts. If these appear, ask your sales representative to remove them. Until the catalog is available in SmartShop, please refer to the Usage Instructions email for all sales inquiries.
Contract Administrator: Celena Milliken
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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: Jonesborough