The Cooperative Purchasing Program is dedicated to combining the collective purchasing power of our members in order to receive the best value in goods and services. By working cooperatively, on a regional and statewide level, each of our members will benefit by purchasing goods and services at a lower cost than if individually purchasing those same things. When choosing vendors, the CP program focuses on quality, service, support, as well as competitive pricing. The goal of our program is to have our members receive the best long-term value possible. Consider the Cooperative Purchasing Staff your district’s personal shopper. Call us; we will do the work for you!
The Cooperative Purchasing Program offers year-round service. There are several ways for its members to utilize the program to receive competitive prices.
1. Prime Vendor Contracts
Specifically named vendors already hold a contract with the SW/WC Service Cooperative for their products and/or services. The contract may have been executed from a bid process or from negotiation. The Prime Vendor offers discounted prices, in addition to direct purchasing and invoicing between the vendor and the SW/WC Service Cooperative member. Delivery costs are also often waived or discounted to the member. The Cooperative Purchasing Program staff will be available to offer vendor information and assist with your vendor concerns with the Prime Vendor contracts.
2. Annual Bid Process
Periodic bidding is performed for products that are price volatile or continually being upgraded. The regional and statewide combined quantity purchases will produce competitive prices from the bidding vendors. Annual bidding is currently performed for fine paper. This bid process is performed in the spring and offered to the member to assist with budgeting for the next fiscal year. Product will be delivered after July 1st.
3. Individual Product Quoting
Products or services not offered by a Prime Vendor contract or offered through the annual bid process are still available through the SW/WC Service Cooperative Purchasing Program. Selected vendors are utilized to quote your requested products at their lowest price. Just request your product search with the Cooperative Purchasing staff.
The Cooperative Purchasing program concentrates on serving its members. Direction and suggestions from the members to pursue specific programs and products are encouraged. The purchasing program can save its members time and money!! Performing the bid process for all members collaboratively eliminates the member’s time and staff to perform that bidding function and will generate aggressive prices in relation to volume purchasing.
Questions and comments pertaining to Cooperative Purchasing, contact:
Shareen Neumann, shareen.neumann@swsc.org or 507/537-2279
Cooperative Purchasing Staff, 888/739-3289
