Participating in the EPCNT Cooperative Purchasing to Build Your Business Presented by Richard Powell, Attorney at Law Director of Purchasing Irving Independent School District
Who Uses Cooperative Purchasing? Everyone Does Federal Level National Defense Federal Highway System State Level Public Education State Highways Local Level Garbage Collection Water/Sewer Systems 2
Who Can Use a Purchasing Cooperative? State Agencies Universities Counties Municipalities Local Governments School Districts are considered Local Governments 3
How Do School Districts Use Cooperative Purchasing Partner With Other School Districts or Governmental Entities to Purchase Like Goods or Services Save on Administrative Costs Advertising Costs Bid Preparation and Evaluation Costs Save on Processing Time 4
The Education Purchasing Cooperative of North Texas (EPCNT) Created in October 2003 No Defined Lead Agency Lewisville ISD Lead Administrative Agency Contracting Arrangement by Member Districts Inclusion Clause Contained in Procurement Documents Vendors Have Options to Extend Offer to All Member Districts 5
Advantages to EPCNT Purchasing Cooperatives Save on Procurement Processing Time Save on Procurement Processing Costs $250 - $1,600 Procurement Processing Costs Lower Prices due to Combined Quantities Attract Multiple Vendors Ability to Make Purchases Quickly Makes you a legal vendor for member districts listed on EPCNT site NO FEES to vendors 6
The Education Purchasing Cooperative of North Texas (EPCNT) Administered by Districts in Region 10 and Region 11 True Cooperative Membership Required Fee Required paid by districts No Transaction Fee to vendors 66 School Districts http://www.epcnt.com/ 7
The Education Purchasing Cooperative of North Texas (EPCNT) Created in October 2003 No Defined Lead Agency Lewisville ISD Lead Administrative Agency Contracting Arrangement by Member Districts Inclusion Clause Contained in Procurement Documents 8
Inclusion Clause Contained in Procurement Documents INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT CLAUSE (Example Verbiage) Several governmental entities around the Lewisville Independent School District have indicated an interest in being included in this contract. Should these governmental entities decide to participate in this contract, would you, (the vendor) agree that all terms, conditions, specifications, and pricing would apply? Yes No If you (the Vendor) checked yes, the following will apply. 9
Inclusion Clause Contained in Procurement Documents Cont d. INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT CLAUSE (Example Verbiage) Governmental entities utilizing Internal Governmental contracts with the Lewisville Independent School District will be eligible, but not obligated, to purchase materials/services under the contract(s) awarded as a result of this solicitation. All purchases by governmental entity other than Lewisville Independent School District will be billed directly to that governmental entity and paid by that governmental entity. Lewisville Independent School District will not be responsible for another governmental entity s debts. Each governmental entity will order their own material/service as needed. 10
Vendor must agree to provide same services for all members at the same Prices, Terms and Conditions Participate by answering Requests for Proposals or bids for member school districts Their procurement information is on each district s website 11
Some bids are for all districts in EPCNT others are district specific but can be utilized by all member districts Questions 12