Purchasing Cooperatives

Through the Tennessee Interlocal Cooperation Act (T.C.A. § 12-9-104) public agencies are permitted to cooperate with other localities on the basis of mutual advantage and provide services that will best accord with geographic, economic, population, and other factors influencing the needs and development of local communities. Purchases of materials for services for which APSU or the State of Tennessee Department of General Services, Purchasing Division has awarded a contract to a vendor through the competitive bidding process may be made without adherence to Section IV, Minimum Notice and Number of Bids of that policy, provided the vendor meets the bid specifications. NOTE: the competitive bid process of another entity (except the State Purchasing Division) must have specified that other institutions would be permitted to purchase under the bid and be solicited by a Public Lead Agency (PLA).

Listed below are other contract links that may contain contracts usable by the University to purchase goods and services. Please get in touch with our office to place orders pursuant to the below cooperatives and/or State of Tennessee Entities. 

Tennessee Consortium of University Procurement - The Tennessee Consortium of University Procurement (TCUP) is an informal organization designed to promote collaboration and communication between its members. The members founded TCUP in the fall of 2021.

State of Tennessee Statewide Contracts - This site provides a list of statewide contracts issued by the Tennessee Department of General Services, Purchasing Division. APSU Purchasing Policies and Procedures apply to these purchases, and a purchase order is required. To search for a specific commodity or SWC number, click "Ctrl-F" on your keyboard. A "Find" box will appear at the top of your browser. Click on the "next" or ↑↓" arrows in the "Find" box, and all places on the contract list that match your search will be shown highlighted. See also State of Tennessee Central Procurement COOP

Pavilion - APSU is a member of National Association of Educational Procurement (NAEP). One of the benefits of being a member is access to Pavilion. Pavilion helps you find contracts you can use all in one place – for free. Search the nation’s largest network of 100,000+ contracts across national and regional cooperatives, NAEP member institutions, states, and local entities. Expedite your due diligence by accessing relevant documentation and quickly connect with suppliers on next steps. Please contact our office for more information and access. 

Omnia Partners OMNIA Partners is the cooperative purchasing organization driving excellence in higher education procurement. With a trusted procurement model relied upon by elite higher education institutions, OMNIA Partners brings unparalleled efficiencies and speed to the purchasing process to help institutions achieve their mission of student success while attracting and retaining students and faculty. Our extensive scope of best-value college cooperative contracts from industry-leading suppliers provides the immediate solutions colleges, and universities need to meet their strategic goals. NCPA is now OMNIA Partners. 

Sourcewell Sourcewell offers a variety of programs and services beyond cooperative purchasing, including national insurance and employee benefits programs, and Minnesota-based services for education, local governments, and nonprofits. 

GOVMVMT - Every GOVMVMT contract was solicited, evaluated, and awarded by a city, county, state, school district, or higher education institution. Likewise, every GOVMVMT contract is held by an actual public agency – not a third-party organization. Each one of GOVMVMT’s community of first-class suppliers has consciously joined our mission to create the most credible, ethical, and public agency-focused nonprofit cooperative purchasing program in the country.

Buyboard - With the challenge of flat or even declining budgets, departments like yours play a critical role in making every dollar stretch as far as it can. BuyBoard strengthens your purchasing power, streamlines your procurement process for products and services, maintenance, repair and operations, and more—plus, we put money back in your budget. 

Choice Partners - Choice Partners is a service cooperative that allows participating governmental and municipal agencies to establish open contracts that are open for use to members. 

TIPS USA - TIPS USA is a service cooperative that allows participating governmental and municipal agencies to establish open contracts that are open for use to members.  

VASCUPP The Virginia Association of State College and University Purchasing Professionals (VASCUPP) was established in 1992 to identify opportunities for cooperative procurements and cost savings for higher education institutions in Virginia. Over the years, that objective has stayed the same. The current 11 members of VASCUPP continuously collaborate on cooperative procurements, procurement practice, and source selection, which ultimately allows for savings through leveraged spending and reduced administrative effort.

Carahsoft As government agencies and academic institutions implement large-scale telework and online learning initiatives, Carahsoft’s technology and reseller partners offer a range of solutions that enable telework, support collaboration, ensure business continuity, and scale communications channels and security.

The Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) is a State of Tennessee Entity with available competitively bid contracts in which APSU can utilize as a purchasing vehicle. Please get in touch with our office to inquire if TBR has a contract to meet your needs. 

NASPO ValuePoint The cooperative contracting arm of the National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO) a non-profit organization formed in 1947, comprised of the Chief Procurement Officials of all fifty states, Washington D.C. and the U.S. Territories; to promote public procurement throughout the country. NASPO ValuePoint facilitates administration of the NASPO cooperative group contracting consortium of state Chief Procurement Officials for the benefit of state departments, institutions, agencies, and political subdivisions; as well as other eligible entities including cities, counties, special districts, community colleges, universities, and some quasi-governmental and nonprofit organizations.

General Services Administration (GSA)  GSA offers unparalleled acquisition solutions to meet today's acquisition challenges. GSA's key goal is to deliver excellent acquisition services that provide best value, in terms of cost, quality and service, for federal agencies and taxpayers.

Texas Department of Information Resources (Texas DIR) delivers technology solutions to state and local government entities. Specifically, DIR is here to offer purchasing support and policy insights so organizations across all levels of Texas government can find and securely implement modern technology, set forth strategic direction for IT statewide through policies and guidance, analyze cybersecurity risks and solutions, empower state and local government entities with reliable and secure technology, assist with technology procurement/purchasing, collaborate with technology vendors, and create a dynamic online community for knowledge sharing.

E&I Cooperative Services E&I understands the unique challenges college and universities face – from budget constraints and compliance requirements to diversity and sustainability goals and everything in between. As the only member-owned, non-profit sourcing cooperative exclusively focused on the education community, we are uniquely equipped to help our members save time, control costs, and optimize their procurement processes.