Procuring necessary products and services requires purchasers to navigate a complicated process. That’s why many purchasers in the education sector use cooperative purchasing programs, such as the National Intergovernmental Purchasing Alliance (National IPA).
Learning how to navigate the process is rewarding. But where do you start?
Take a look at everything you need to know about cooperative purchasing models, the steps taken throughout the process and the key considerations when researching a cooperative purchasing contract in the infographic below (click to enlarge or download.)
- The lead agency prepares a competitive solicitation, incorporating language to make the agreement accessible nationally to agencies in states that allow intergovernmental (i.e.: “piggyback”) contract usage. In this case, Region 4.
- Region 4 issued the solicitation and any required amendments and notifications‚ and conducts pre–proposal conferences/meetings.
- Interested suppliers respond to the solicitation.
- Region 4 evaluated the responses, negotiates the final terms and conditions and awarded us the contract.
- All documentation is posted on www.nationalipa.org
All agreements offered through National IPA have been awarded via a thorough Request for Proposal (RFP) competitive solicitation by a public agency/governmental entity (e.g. state‚ city‚ county‚ public university or school district). The contracting process is the foundation of National IPA and sets them apart from other cooperatives. In order for even the most restrictive agencies nationwide to realize the best value offered by cooperative procurement‚ National IPA ensures that industry best practices‚ processes and procedures are applied. Region 4 was the lead agency for Williams Scotsman. Procuring necessary products and services requires purchasing to navigate through an RFP process. This allows procurement officials to save time and money by using a lead agency model that is competently solicited and publicly awarded. To learn more, visit www.nationalpa.org