HOUSTON, Nov. 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --On Wed., Aug. 1, 2012, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed Bill S5525C, Chapter 308, allowing municipalities and school districts in New York to jointly contract for goods and services with any other federal, state or local government agency. On Nov. 13, 2013 this new law was further clarified, by the enactment of bill number S3766A, which amends subdivision 16 of section 103 to the General Municipal Law to give political subdivisions the option of letting contracts based on "best value," as an alternative to letting contracts to the "lowest responsible bidder."
The Cooperative Purchasing Network (TCPN), established in 1997, is a national governmental purchasing cooperative whose lead agency (Region 4 Education Service Center) competitively bids and awards contracts through their ISO certified process to national vendors for commonly purchased products and services allowing such entities to make compliant purchases at a valued rate.
Purchasing through a cooperative has proven to reduce administrative and production costs, increase efficiencies and stretch shrinking budgets during difficult times. With TCPN contracts, the competitive bid process has already been completed for public agencies.
City and county governments, municipalities, schools, BOCES, higher education, religious organizations and nonprofits are eligible to use such cooperative purchasing. Over thirty seven thousand entities, across the nation, are already actively using at least one TCPN contract. TCPN provides access to hundreds of national vendors for commonly purchased products and services.
"The effect of this bill expanded the State of New York's local governments, municipalities, BOCES, and school districts the ability to jointly contract for goods and services." said Chris Penny, TCPN Vice President. "The new legislation gives public agencies additional opportunities to purchase products and services in an efficient and cost-saving manner."
Public agencies can register to participate with TCPN at www.tcpn.org. Registration is free and no purchase is required to be a member.
About The Cooperative Purchasing Network (TCPN)
Entities that must comply with purchasing procedures mandated by state laws and regulations, like public and private schools, colleges and universities, cities, counties, nonprofits, and all governmental entities, use TCPN contracts to increase their efficiency and economy when procuring goods and services. As a national purchasing cooperative, TCPN leverages one of the largest pools of purchasing potential and allows agencies to receive a combined buying power regardless of the entity's size. For more information about TCPN, please visit www.tcpn.org/Pages/New-York.aspx.
Contact: RoShelle Salinas
roshelle@loveadv.com | 713-552-1055
SOURCE The Cooperative Purchasing Network (TCPN)
