Title
Approval of the Interlocal Participation Agreement COOP20-915, with the National Purchasing Cooperative.
Recommended Action
I move that Council approve the Interlocal Participation Agreement with the National Purchasing Cooperative.
County Manager's Recommendation
The County Manager recommends that Council approve the Interlocal Participation Agreement as requested.
Body
Cooperative procurement, sometimes described as “piggybacking,” is permitted by Code. Instead of performing its own competition, County may purchase (“execute procurement”) when another public entity or a public purchasing cooperative has a competitively awarded contract in place with the supplier/contractor of choice.
Reference Sec. 31-113. - Cooperative Procurement Authorized. See also Sec. 31-3. (b). - Exemptions. and Sec. 31-4. - Definitions.
While County often uses State of New Mexico Statewide Price agreements, and other government entity contracts, we also piggyback using the contracts of public purchasing cooperatives.
Some public purchasing cooperatives, such as Sourcewell (formerly NJPA), have their own staff who manage the solicitation, evaluation, and contract award. Other public purchasing cooperatives (like NASPO ValuePoint) rely on volunteers from various government entities who issue the solicitation as the “lead agency,” on behalf of the cooperative.
In most cases, when we use the contract of a public purchasing cooperative, County must be a “member” of the cooperative. What defines “membership” varies slightly depending on the requirements of the cooperative.
Examples of public purchasing cooperatives used today when we source include:
• Sourcewell (formerly NJPA), County became a member in 2013.
• NASPO ValuePoint (formerly WSCA), County is a member because NASPO ValuePoint recognizes New Mexico as a participant.
• CES (Cooperative Education Services), County became a member in 2007.
Membership agreements, when required by the cooperative, must be approved by Council. We currently seek approval of membership with National Purchasing Cooperative. National Purchasing Cooperative describes the membership agreement as an “interlocal participation agreement.” The County will have a non-exclusive license to use the BuyBoard electronic purchasing application during the term of the Agreement. The initial term of this Agreement shall commence on the date it is executed by both parties and shall automatically renew for successive one-year terms unless sooner terminated.
Alternatives
Should Council choose not to approve this action, the County will not become a member in this interlocal cooperation agreement.
Fiscal and Staff Impact/Unplanned Item
National Purchasing Cooperative does not charge a fee to the County. Vendors pay a service fee to National Purchasing Cooperative, which may be included in the vendor’s price to the County.
The County is under no obligation to make any purchases through National Purchasing Cooperative. It is simply one alternative to consider when seeking goods or services which have already been fairly and openly competed.
There is minimal staff impact.
Attachments
A - COOP20-915 Interlocal Cooperation Agreement