Inability to Utilize Cooperative Contracts PDF Print E-mail
The Mandate:  Currently municipalities in New York State are not permitted to utilize out-of-state cooperative contracts when procuring goods and services, even when such utilization would result in significant cost savings to the local government entity.  U.S. Communities is a nonprofit government purchasing cooperative that assists local and state government agencies, school districts (K-12), higher education, and nonprofits in reducing the cost of purchased goods by offering managed access to competitively solicited contracts between suppliers and lead public agencies.  U.S. Communities currently has over 37,000 registered participating public agencies and offers 18 contracts with 24 suppliers.  New York is one of only three states that does not participate in this program.

The Cost:  It has been estimated that this would save local governments in New York State up to $33 million annually.

The Solution:  State Law should be amended to allow local governments to purchase off of cooperative contracts.  Providing such an option to local governments will enable municipalities across the state to obtain the best goods and services available at the lowest possible cost, be it through competitive bidding, purchasing through the Office of General Services or utilizing a cooperative contract.