National Intergovernmental Purchasing Alliance (National IPA) is available to public agencies, educational institutions and non-profit entities nationwide. National IPA saves you time and money. Participating in the cooperative buying power of more than 48,000 entities allows you to pay less for products and reduce administrative costs, which helps you do more with less. So why is National IPA so effective at creating more economical buying opportunities for you? Because we offer strength in numbers and years of government purchasing experience, you can have confidence in every contract.
Contracts are competitively solicited, evaluated and awarded by a government entity acting as the lead agency.
Contracts are awarded utilizing industry best practices, processes and procedures, ensuring maximum value and absolute security with complete transparency of the process.
Most experienced cooperative team in public procurement, cooperative purchasing and supply chain management.
In these days of dwindling dollars, you want a partner who can help strengthen your buying position, reliably and consistently.
What Differentiates National IPA?
Portfolio
National IPA has the most robust portfolio of quality contracts in the cooperative space! Our agreement portfolio has everything your organization needs to run efficiently and effectively.
People
National IPA has the most experienced cooperative team in public procurement, cooperative purchasing and supply chain management. With over 150 combined years of public procurement experience and over 275 years of cooperative purchasing experience, you can trust that you are in good hands with our team!
Process
Contracts are competitively solicited and publicly awarded by a government entity. Awards are made utilizing the best processes and procedures ensuring maximum value and absolute security with complete transparency of the process. The Lead Agency Model is considered to be a best practice in the industry!
Participation
Participating in the cooperative buying power of more than 48,000 entities allows you to pay less for products and reduce administrative costs, which helps you do more with less! We are the fastest growing in the market, resulting in the largest purchasing power to save you valuable time and resources!
Lead Agency Contracting Process
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 us 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.
The Cooperative Contracting Process
1. 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.
2. The lead agency issues the solicitation and any required amendments and notifications‚ and conducts pre–proposal conferences/meetings.
3. Interested suppliers respond to the solicitation.
4. The lead agency evaluates the responses, negotiates the final terms and conditions and ultimately awards the master agreement.
5. All documentation is posted on the National IPA website and made available to the public.
National IPA is committed to the integrity of the procurement process. Access to solicitation and award documentation is always available in the Documentation sections of each awarded agreement. No FOIA or special request necessary.
The lead agency procurement teams and the National IPA team of certified public procurement officials are available to answer any questions you may have or discuss the process in detail.
The Lead Agencies
The lead agencies who currently solicit and award cooperative contracts available through National IPA are considered some of the best procurement teams in the nation. National IPA is honored to be partnered with the best–of–the–best when it comes to process‚ procedures and industry leaders. For more information on National IPA call 888-TOUGH-31.