The State of Arkansas participates in various contracts for goods and services. These contracts may be awarded to multiple vendors and some, but not all, are mandatory. If a contract is considered mandatory, then that good or service must be purchased using that contract. A few common contract items can be found here as well as behind the links below. You can view all contracts offered by the State by clicking here, feel free to contact our department with any questions.
Cooperative purchasing organizations allow those eligible to order under established contracts without additional formal bidding. ATU is eligible to participate in several of these competitively bid cooperative contracts which allow the University to take advantage of volume pricing and offer discounts on various goods and services. Some of the most commonly used are as follows:
Educational & Institutional Cooperative (E&I) – E&I is a not-for-profit buying cooperative which provides goods and services to its members at the best possible value. The Cooperative is owned by its membership of more than 1,500 tax-exempt colleges, universities, prep schools, hospitals, medical research institutions and hospital purchasing organizations located throughout the United States, including Arkansas Tech University.
https://www.eandi.org/The National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO) - NASPO is a non-profit association dedicated to advancing public procurement through leadership, excellence, and integrity. It is made up of the directors of the central purchasing offices in each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia and the territories of the United States. NASPO is an organization that helps its members achieve success as public procurement leaders through promotion of best practices, education, professional development, research, and innovative procurement strategies.
Sourcewell (formerly known as JNPA) - Sourcewell is a public corporation or agency serving as a municipal contracting agency for government and education agencies. Sourcewell serves member agencies under the legislative authority established and granted by Minnesota Statute 123A.21 (see specific statutory references on pages 4-5). All Sourcewell employees are public employees whom are required to pay into Public Employment Retirement Association (PERA) through payroll deduction. Sourcewell employees have the same employment status as employees of Sourcewell government and education member agencies.
https://www.sourcewell-mn.gov/
OMNIA Partners-Omnia Partners is the leading national cooperative purchasing program, providing world class government procurement resources and solutions to local and state government agencies, school districts (K-12), higher education institutions, and nonprofits looking for the best overall supplier government pricing.
https://www.omniapartners.com/?hsLang=en