Panasonic Continues to Offer Affordable Technology Solutions Through National Cooperative Purchasing Agreement

SECAUCUS, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Panasonic System Communications Company of North America, a leader in delivering technology solutions for government and public safety agencies, today announced it has been awarded a contract by the City of Tucson, AZ and offered through the National Intergovernmental Purchasing Alliance Company (National IPA). National IPA works with public and nonprofit agencies, who as a Principal Procurement Agency, competitively solicits national contracts for aggregated use. By continuing this relationship, Panasonic is able to offer its customers the ability to purchase a wide range of affordable technology solutions.

“The competitively solicited and awarded contract with Panasonic provides public agencies nationwide with more choices”

This contract, which was awarded on August 1, 2012, will be for three years with the option to extend to five years. Panasonic held the previous contract for a five year term which began on August 1, 2007. During this term, Panasonic’s world renowned Toughbook® mobile computers and Arbitrator 360°™ mobile digital video system and accessories were available to customers to make product acquisitions easier and faster. With this newly awarded contract, Panasonic is providing its customers with its complete line of products including Pro Displays, Projectors, ProAV & Cameras, Video Teleconferencing, Scanners, Whiteboards, Mounts, Security & Surveillance products and Antennas, as well as its Toughbook mobile computers and Arbitrator 360° mobile digital video systems.

“The competitively solicited and awarded contract with Panasonic provides public agencies nationwide with more choices,” said Ken Heckman, Vice President with National IPA. “Government agencies now have the opportunity to acquire a wide range of reliable Panasonic technology solutions in an efficient and economical way.”

Competitive procurement processes are an important part of any purchasing decision, but many agencies do not have the time, resources, or funds needed to publicly solicit bids directly from manufacturers. Through the National IPA contract, public agencies benefit from pre-negotiated pricing and a simplified procurement process through a cooperative purchasing contract. The National IPA contract places agencies under compliance for procurement procedures without requiring them to coordinate the process themselves.

“Government and public safety agencies can now develop customized solutions to meet their most specific business needs through one contract, rather than several,” said Michelle Chapin, senior director of contracts and bids, Panasonic System Communications Company of North America. “These contracts are pre-negotiated for the best price with the customer in mind. We are honored to continue this relationship with the National IPA to provide our customers nationwide with technology solutions that are within their budget.”

In light of recent budget and resource cuts, agencies have limited funds and time to spend on the procurement process to purchase or upgrade to new equipment. Through this national cooperative agreement, customers can access Panasonic’s complete line of products to meet their needs, while reducing time spent on bids and realizing significant cost savings.

About Panasonic Solutions for Business
Built on a celebrated engineering foundation, Panasonic architects business technology solutions that help build a better world. Customers in government, healthcare, production, education and a wide variety of commercial enterprises, large and small, depend on integrated solutions from Panasonic to help them acquire, manage and interpret the information that drives innovation. The complete suite of Panasonic solutions addresses unified business communications, mobile computing, security and surveillance systems, retail information systems, office productivity solutions, high definition visual conferencing, projectors, professional displays and HD and 3D video production. As a result of its commitment to R&D, manufacturing and quality control, Panasonic engineers reliable and long-lasting solutions as a partner for continuous improvement. Panasonic solutions for business are delivered by Panasonic System Communications Company of North America, which is a division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation (NYSE: PC).

All brand and company/product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of the respective companies. All specifications are subject to change without notice. Information on Panasonic solutions for business can be obtained by calling 877-803-8492 or at www.panasonic.com.

About Panasonic Corporation of North America
Based in Secaucus, NJ, Panasonic Corporation of North America provides a broad line of digital and other electronics products and services for consumer, business and industrial use. The company is the principal North American subsidiary of Osaka, Japan-based Panasonic Corporation (NYSE: PC), and the hub of Panasonic’s U.S. branding, marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. Panasonic was the only Consumer Electronics company to be listed in the top ten brands on the Interbrand Best Global Green Brands 2011 ranking (http://www.interbrand.com/en/best-global-brands/Best-Global-Green-Brands/2011-Report/BestGlobalGreenBrandsTable-2011.aspx). As part of its continuing efforts to reduce its carbon footprint, Panasonic Corporation of North America will relocate its operations to a new eco-efficient office tower adjacent to a mass transit hub in Newark, NJ in 2013. Information about Panasonic Eco Ideas initiatives is available at http://panasonic.net/eco/ecoideas/. Information about Panasonic and its products is available at www.panasonic.com. Additional company information for journalists is also available at www.panasonic.com/pressroom.

About National Intergovernmental Purchasing Alliance Company
National Intergovernmental Purchasing Alliance Company (National IPA) is a cooperative purchasing organization established for public agencies across the United States with the specific purpose of reducing procurement costs by leveraging group volume.

All master agreements are publicly solicited, awarded through an RFP process, and held by a Principal Procurement Agency. Each agreement includes the required language allowing intergovernmental (“piggybacking”) contract usage. This is an optional use program with no fee to participate. By utilizing these pre-competed cooperative agreements, agencies eliminate duplication of effort and save valuable time, resources and money.

Eligible agencies include: