Many contractors in the GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) Program are focused on selling to federal government customers. There's a lot of business within those agencies, but it's important to know the full range of buyers in the MAS Program. Did you know you can also sell to state, local, educational, and tribal entities with your GSA Schedule under certain circumstances?
The Cooperative Purchasing Program is one program within GSA MAS that expands the market for GSA Schedule IT and Security contractors and provides valuable access to products and services for state and local governments. At Winvale, we know it’s an important opportunity for GSA Schedule contractors, so let’s break down the program and if you are able to take advantage of it.
What is Cooperative Purchasing?
The General Services Administration’s (GSA) Cooperative Purchasing Program allows state and local governments to access critical information technology (IT) and law enforcement products, services, and integrated solutions that help support their daily mission.
State and local governments can use GSA’s Cooperative Purchasing Program for certain Schedule purchases, such as purchases under Large Category F (Information Technology) under Section 211 of the E-Government Act of 2002, and Large Category J (Security and Protection) under the 1122 Program established in 2008.
State and Local Buyers Under the Cooperative Purchasing Program
The entities that can take advantage of the Cooperative Purchasing program through the MAS program include:
- State and local governments including US counties, municipalities, cities, towns, townships
- Tribal governments
- Public authorities (including public or Indian Housing agencies)
- School districts, colleges, other institutions of higher education
- Council of governments (incorporated or not)
- Regional or interstate government entities
Eligible educational institutions that meet the threshold for Cooperative Purchasing include the following per 40 U.S.C § 502 (c):
- Education Institutions (elementary, middle, and high school) operated by Public School Boards
- Public Colleges, Community Colleges, and Technical Colleges
- Public universities that provide at least a two-year program that offers a degree or offers credit toward such a degree
If you are curious about whether an agency is eligible for Cooperative Purchasing through GSA MAS after reviewing the list above, you can submit an eligibility request for further information.
What Is Offered Through the Cooperative Purchasing Program?
State and local government customers can utilize Cooperative Purchasing for a variety of product offerings available under Large Category F (IT) and Large Category J (Security and Protection).
GSA has provided the Cooperative Purchasing Program scope on their website:
IT:
- Mobile device and application management tools
- Firmware
- Hardware and software
- Cloud computing services
- Support equipment
- Professional IT services
- Law enforcement and security equipment
- Urban and wildland firefighting and rescue equipment
- Marine craft and equipment
- Alarm and signal systems
- Facility management systems
- Special purpose clothing blanket purchase agreements
Why Use Cooperative Purchasing Over Other Procurement Channels?
While state and local governments certainly have the autonomy to purchase the products, services, and integrated solutions they need to support their mission statement directly through their own contract vehicles, Cooperative Purchasing has many benefits for them. They include:
- A wide selection of solutions meet information technology, law enforcement, and security needs.
- Standardized pricing that has fair ceiling prices and may offer additional discounts.
- Value-added features such as warranty, commercial terms and conditions, and expected delivery date with tracking information provided.
- Complimentary access to GSA eTools such as GSA Advantage!, eLibrary, and eBuy that come with free training on how to use these innovative procurement portals.
Since Cooperative Purchasing lends state and local government entities access to all these features, it’s important for your company to take advantage of this GSA program.
Cooperative Purchasing Under the Trump Administration
If you're an IT or Security and Protection contractor under the MAS Program, or you are looking to get a GSA Schedule, we anticipate the Cooperative Purchasing sales to grow over the next few years.
In an Executive Order (EO) consolidating procurement, the Trump Administration wants GSA to take over the procurement of most common goods and services, as well as manage all the Governmentwide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs). With a lot of the procurement moving over to GSA, and the Trump Administration directing agencies to start programs like MAS to purchase more efficiently, we can expect to see spending rise overall with GSA Schedules. We also expect IT spending to rise specifically.
While the new administration is looking for places to cut down on spending, IT is one of the areas they are focusing more energy on. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) wants to shift efforts to IT and modernization to make federal government systems more efficient and save taxpayer dollars. As an example, the Trump Administration wants to continue the development of Artificial Intelligence, but put less of a focus on the guardrails and more on the advancement. So, the Cooperative Purchasing Program could become a great source of business for your company.
How Your Business Can Benefit from Cooperative Purchasing
Cooperative Purchasing expands your GSA Schedule buyer pool, so if you aren't a part of the MAS Program yet, or aren't taking advantage, we suggest you start now. You can also benefit from other state and local vehicles with your GSA Schedule, including the 1122 Program, Disaster Purchasing Program, and the Public Health Emergencies Program.
If you want to start the GSA Schedule acquisition process, or if you want to learn more about opportunities within the MAS Program, we are here to help. Want to keep in touch on future government contracting insights and news? Subscribe to our blog and newsletter.
