Sensormatic deal was never a 'contract'

University officials stressed yesterday that although they never committed to purchase millions of dollars worth of security features from the Sensormatic Electronics Corporation, the two parties continue to collaborate under a long-term purchasing agreement. The agreement -- which was signed last October -- gives Penn the option of buying discounted security features from the company. Public Safety officials initially anticipated spending $3 million to buy and install Sensormatic products designed to improve safety on and around campus. Sensormatic, for its part, never specified how much money was involved in the agreement, and never promoted it as a binding contract. But Penn officials now expect the University's departments and facilities to spend "much more than $3 million" on such security features. "I anticipate that the actual amount spent by the center and all schools over the next three years will be much more than $3 million," Managing Director of Public Safety Tom Seamon said. And Security Director Chris Algard stressed that "the Sensormatic contract is serving [Penn] well" by allowing the University to "purchase just about anything by any manufacturer." But while Penn has recently installed Sensormatic security features such as a central network of alarm systems and access control devices, Algard said "internal University problems" have prevented Penn from purchasing or installing more of the company's equipment. He explained that monetary issues, problems with building aesthetics and union labor issues have accounted for the delays. Additionally, he said the University must engage in various construction projects -- such as repairing deteriorated doors, door frames and locks, as well as creating new wire paths and space for electronic panels -- before installing further technology. "Problems are endless at Penn," Algard said. "Every job has unique problems. The more important issue is that we are making progress" with preparation for new security features. Because the University has spent a large amount of money on both completed and ongoing security projects, Sensormatic officials claim the buying agreement is also serving their company nicely. "It was a tremendous amount of money that was spent," said Sensormatic Pennsylvania retail sales representative Steven Johnson, who handles The Book Store and Computer Connection's Sensormatic accounts. He added that Penn's investments with the company are continuously "expanding." "We are the University's security supplier [and] we are very pleased to be the University's security supplier," Coller said.