Can State and local government entities purchase off a GSA Schedule under Cooperative Purchasing?
In a word “yes” under the following programs state and local government entities can purchase from GSA Schedule Contracts.
Cooperative Purchasing and Disaster Recovery*
At this time only The Information Technology Schedule 70 and The Consolidated Schedule are available to state and local government entities for the purchase of products and services containing IT SIN’s. State and local government entities are defined by GSA as the following;
“counties, municipalities, cities, towns, townships, tribal governments, public authorities (including public or Indian housing agencies under the United States Housing Act of 1937), school districts, colleges, and other institutions of higher education, council of governments (incorporated or not), regional or interstate government entities, or any agency or instrumentality of the preceding entities (including any local educational agency or institution of higher education), and including legislative and judicial departments.”
Cooperative Purchasing
Cooperative Purchasing can add a new dimension to a vendor’s current federal purchasing program allowing them to focus on local, state and educational business. However through this program states and localities are only allowed access to certain items offered through the General Services Administration’s Schedule 70 and Consolidated Schedule.
Some of the information technology available to state and local governments includes automated data processing equipment (including firmware), software, supplies, support equipment, and services.
With Cooperative Purchasing the ordering activity’s contracting officer is now responsible for all contract administration (once accepted by the vendor) which in essence constitutes the formation of a new contract with the state or local entity i.e. ordering activity.
Note* Schedule contract prices must still include an industrial funding fee.
Disaster Recovery Purchasing
Disaster Recovery Purchasing allows state and local government entities to potentially purchase products and services available under all GSA Schedules according to The Department of Homeland Security. This helps them to facilitate recovery from any number of major disasters by allowing a broad range of products and services to be made available to agency buyers. State and local agencies can use purchase orders, government credit cards and or issue BPA’s for Disaster Recovery purchasing however they can not use the GSA Advantage online shopping and ordering system at this time.
Some of the categories include:
Building and Construction Services, Communications Solutions, Emergency Food Services, Emergency Preparedness, Energy and Power Services, Environmental Services, Furniture, Law Enforcement and Security Solutions, Medical and Laboratory, Temporary Staffing, Vehicle Leasing and Rentals.
Notes*
- Limited to GSA Schedule contracts Disaster Recovery Purchasing does not include any other GSA program.
- Current GSA Schedule contracts would have to be modified, to allow for Disaster Recovery Purchasing.
- As with Cooperative Purchasing Schedule contract prices must still include an industrial funding fee.
For answers to additional questions about “Cooperative Purchasing and Disaster Recovery”, or questions regarding GSA Schedule related issues, please contact us at admin@scheduleservices.net or 336-887-1328.
