Dear Senator Shin – Approximately a month ago, my company Ad Specialty Products, Inc. of Edmnds, Wa submitted a bid to Edmonds Community College for their baseball team. After hours of work and research to my various suppliers, embroiderers, screen printers, and tackle twill companies, I was informed that the Washington State Department of Corrections (prison system) was awarded the contract at approximately what my cost of the goods and services were. After contacting my various clothing suppliers to find out if their price to the Department of Corrections was less than what I was paying, I was informed that they did not receive a lower price. Something about this entire process strikes a very disturbing note with me. I pay taxes to the State of Washington, part of which I’m sure is allocated to the Department of Corrections in some kind of grant. Then, I have to compete in the open market with an institution that needs no profit margin and can literally undercut any private business bidding by 50%!! I would like an honest explanation from you as to how this indeed helps our currently depressed economy, and in particular, the private sector. To me, this is pure politics coming out of both sides of one’s mouth. Please tell me how in the future I can compete with this type of unfair practice and hope to increase my business so that I can create jobs that we desparately need. The bottom line is that the playing field is NOT level to begin with, and when I hear our President say….”everybody should get a fair shot…….”, it just make me laugh. Your comments please.
Jack Waterworth, Owner
Ad Specialty Products, Inc.
Cell: 425=359-1073