In a recent market research study, ASBO International asked its members to identify programs and services that offer value to their school district and select the programs they are most interested in learning more about. As a result, 49% of the respondents expressed that they were interested in Cooperative Purchasing Programs.
ASBO International has remained steadfast in its commitment to support public K-12 school districts through strategic partnerships and initiatives aimed at fostering efficiency and fiscal responsibility. I want to highlight our collaboration with GOVMVMT, a partnership forged with the utmost dedication to enhancing the procurement landscape for educational institutions nationwide.
Cooperative procurement is one of the core practices that many K-12 districts rely on to save time and money, keep projects on time and on budget, and leverage staff time and resources. ASBO has long supported cooperative purchasing as a strategy, having been a founding sponsor of the first national local government cooperative, U.S. Communities.
Why GovMVMT?
Nonprofit Organization
GOVMVMT is a true nonprofit. Their status as a nonprofit organization expressly designed for public benefit means that the needs of public agencies are central to all they do.
Lead Public Agency Model
Every contract offered through GOVMVMT has been publicly solicited and is held by a lead public agency on behalf of all other local and state agencies in the United States. The lead agency takes responsibility for structuring the bid documents and is supported by a national team of public procurement professionals to review responses, document the bid tallies, and award the contract to qualified firms.
Public Agency Oversight
GOVMVMT provides program oversight and compliance with professional public procurement standards through its Advisory Council. The Council consists of public procurement professionals representing municipal, K-12 schools, higher education, and state government. Members provide input on product lines, serve as lead public agencies, review committee members, and advise them on all aspects of the program.
Quality over Quantity
GOVMVMT focuses on quality contracts and all their solicitations comply with all national and state solicitation advertising and notification requirements. In most circumstances, their contracts are single awards. This encourages suppliers to put forward their best value.
Nationwide Availability
GOVMVMT contracts are legally allowed in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Their website provides links to all states authorizing statues. However, additional statutes or local ordinances may apply, so we urge all districts to have their legal counsel review to ensure compliance with all solicitation requirements.
Low Fees to Suppliers
GOVMVMT’s supplier fees are some of the lowest in the industry, ensuring that prices to public agencies remain low. Low fees attract top-tier suppliers, enriching the marketplace and driving value for buyers.
Best Value Commitment
Prior to awarding a contract to a supplier, GOVMVMT requires the supplier to agree to specific terms and conditions. A key commitment is that the offering is the best value offering the supplier provides to the government sector.
Unlock GOVMVMT’s Benefits
Register with GOVMVMT
Registration is free and takes only a couple of minutes. Doing so keeps district procurement professionals in the loop as new contracts and suppliers are added.
Use the Contracts
All GOVMVMT contracts are available to public agencies and non-profit organizations and public agencies are not required to commit to minimum purchasing amounts. Agencies can use the program as frequently or as little as they desire. Every contract was solicited, evaluated, and awarded by a school district, city, county, state, or public higher education institution. Likewise, every contract is held by an actual public agency – not a third-party organization.
For more information on joining this purchasing cooperative please visit https://asbointl.org/govmvmt or reach out to me at jrowan@asbointl.org.