**California**: Village Management Services Inc. (VMS) has partnered with PlanetBids to modernise procurement operations at Laguna Woods Village, enhancing transparency and vendor diversity. This collaboration aims to broaden vendor outreach and streamline processes for one of the largest age-restricted communities in the U.S.
Village Management Services Inc. (VMS) has forged a new partnership with PlanetBids, with the aim of modernising and streamlining the procurement operations at Laguna Woods Village, one of the largest age-restricted communities in the United States. This strategic collaboration, announced on April 3, 2025, is expected to enhance transparency, vendor diversity, and overall process efficiency within the community.
The decision to partner with PlanetBids comes in response to challenges faced by VMS, including a limited pool of vendors and a rising demand for more transparency and participation in the bidding process. Robert Carroll, Director of General Services at VMS, highlighted the goals of this initiative, stating, “Partnering with PlanetBids marks a significant step forward in our commitment to operational transparency, vendor diversity and process efficiency.” He further explained that the collaboration aims to facilitate outreach to more qualified vendors while ensuring that the best possible value is delivered to the Laguna Woods Village community.
The partnership will leverage PlanetBids’ procurement platform, which offers an end-to-end solution designed to tackle key challenges within the procurement cycle. Key features of the platform include:
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Expanded Vendor Outreach: The partnership aims to break away from relying solely on local vendors, thereby broadening outreach to qualified suppliers across the greater Los Angeles and Orange County areas.
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Enhanced Bid Participation Reporting: Built-in analytics tools within the platform will furnish VMS with insights into vendor engagement, allowing them to track and report on participation levels for each bid.
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Promotion of Fair and Transparent Procurement: The digital platform will centralise procurement efforts, allowing for equitable access to bid opportunities for a more diverse vendor base.
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Streamlined Procurement Operations: By automating tasks that were previously manual, the collaboration aims to reduce administrative burdens and allow staff to concentrate on strategic initiatives that directly benefit the community.
David DiGiacomo, CEO of PlanetBids, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, noting, “We’re so excited to have VMS join the PlanetBids network. PlanetBids is purpose-built for the exact needs VMS has expressed, to help expand its vendor community and get better insight into participation.” He expressed confidence that the partnership will yield significant benefits for both residents of Laguna Woods Village and the broader community.
Village Management Services Inc. operates Laguna Woods Village, a premier active adult community in Orange County, California, with a robust array of services encompassing administration, maintenance, financial services, and procurement. Governed by a nine-member volunteer board of directors, all of whom are resident owners, VMS has a management agreement with three member entities.
Laguna Woods Village itself is the largest retirement community in California, consisting of 12,736 privately owned homes and approximately 18,800 residents. The gated community, located just 10 minutes from the Laguna Beach coastline, spans 3.8 square miles and serves as a thriving hub for active seniors. The management and staffing of the community are conducted by VMS, underlining its commitment to delivering high-quality service.
PlanetBids is recognised as a trusted provider of eProcurement solutions geared towards optimising purchasing processes across both public and private sectors. Specialising in enhancing transparency and vendor engagement, PlanetBids aids organisations in modernising their procurement workflows to achieve measurable results.
As this partnership unfolds, VMS and PlanetBids are poised to significantly improve the procurement landscape for Laguna Woods Village, with implications that could resonate throughout the community and beyond.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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