COOPERATIVE PURCHASING ORGANIZATIONS

Cooperative Purchasing (Co-Op Purchasing) is a strategic procurement method where multiple organizations—such as cities, counties, school districts, and nonprofits—combine their buying power to obtain more favorable pricing, terms, and overall value from vendors and suppliers. Instead of conducting separate solicitations, eligible entities can “piggyback” on contracts that have already been competitively awarded through a public and transparent bidding process.

 

Piggybacking allows one organization to utilize an existing contract established by another public agency or cooperative, typically under the same terms and conditions, saving time and administrative effort.

 

Cooperative purchasing organizations—commonly referred to as Co-Ops—streamline procurement by providing access to pre-vetted vendors, compliant contract documentation, and volume-based pricing. For agencies facing limited time or resources, Co-Ops offer a smart, efficient, and compliant path to meeting procurement needs.

Benefits of Co-Op Purchasing:

  • Save Time: Avoid duplicating the RFP or bid process.

  • Reduce Costs: Benefit from volume pricing and administrative efficiencies.

  • Ensure Compliance: Co-op contracts typically follow rigorous competitive bidding practices aligned with public procurement laws.

  • Access Trusted Vendors: Work with suppliers who have already been screened and approved through a formal solicitation process.

Leading Cooperative Purchasing Organizations

Here are some of the most widely used and trusted Co-Op organizations in the procurement world:

 

 

Sourcewell

Formerly known as the National Joint Powers Alliance (NJPA), Sourcewell is a government agency that facilitates cooperative contracts for public entities and nonprofits across the U.S. It offers a wide range of contracts—from heavy equipment and technology to facilities maintenance and professional services.

 

  • Who can join: Public universities, school districts, nonprofits, municipalities, counties, state agencies, and other eligible governmental entities.

  • Key benefit: Contracts are competitively solicited and compliant with state and federal regulations.

 

OMNIA Partners

OMNIA Partners is one of the largest national purchasing cooperatives, serving both the public sector (governments, education) and private sector (businesses). Their contracts span facilities, office supplies, IT solutions, and more.

 

  • Who can join: Businesses, public universities, school districts, nonprofits, municipalities, counties, state agencies, and other eligible governmental entities.

  • Key benefit: Robust supplier network and diverse contract categories.

 

NASPO ValuePoint

Backed by the National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO), NASPO ValuePoint is a state-led cooperative focused on delivering high-quality, competitively solicited contracts for state and local governments.

 

  • Who can join: Public universities, school districts, municipalities, counties, state agencies, and other eligible governmental entities.

  • Key benefit: Strong focus on compliance, transparency, and value.

 

TIPS (The Interlocal Purchasing System)

TIPS is a national purchasing cooperative offering access to competitively procured contracts for education, government, and nonprofit organizations.

 

  • Who can join: Public universities, school districts, nonprofits, municipalities, counties, state agencies, and other eligible governmental entities.

  • Key benefit: Simplified contract access with a focus on education-friendly vendors.

 

HGACBuy

HGACBuy is a regional cooperative procurement service operated by the Houston-Galveston Area Council. It serves public sector agencies nationwide with contracts in public safety, fleet, and infrastructure.

 

  • Who can join: Municipalities, counties, state agencies, and other eligible governmental entities.

  • Key benefit: Specializes in large-scale equipment and infrastructure contracts.

 

Florida Sheriffs Association (FSA)

The Florida Sheriffs Association (FSA) operates a statewide cooperative purchasing program that provides competitively awarded contracts for vehicles, equipment, and public safety products. It is recognized as a trusted procurement resource for law enforcement, fire rescue, and other government agencies in Florida.

 

  • Who can join: Florida sheriffs’ offices, public universities, school districts, municipalities, counties, state agencies, and other eligible governmental entities.
  • Key benefit: Offers access to competitively awarded contracts focused on public safety and fleet needs.

 

Pavilion

Pavilion is a free, nationwide platform designed to streamline public procurement by connecting government buyers with over 50,000 suppliers through more than 100,000 cooperative, state, and local contracts. It enables public entities to find, use, and share competitively awarded contracts, facilitating faster and more compliant purchasing processes.

 

  • Who can join: Public universities, school districts, municipalities, counties, state agencies, and other eligible governmental entities.
  • Key benefit: Provides access to a vast repository of shareable contracts, allowing public procurement professionals to expedite purchasing, ensure compliance, and achieve cost savings by leveraging existing agreements.