CO-OPS

COSTARS is Pennsylvania’s cooperative purchasing program that simplifies procurement for local government and state-affiliated entities. It allows members to access competitively priced contracts pre-negotiated by the Department of General Services (DGS), saving time and money. The program fosters collaboration between public entities and suppliers, providing businesses of all sizes the opportunity to compete for government contracts. Eligible organizations must register to become members, while suppliers must register via the PA Supplier Portal and respond to contract opportunities. With thousands of participants, COSTARS ensures efficient purchasing and cost savings for public agencies and their trusted suppliers.

TIPS, or The Interlocal Purchasing System, is a national cooperative purchasing program managed by the Region 8 Education Service Center in Pittsburg, Texas. It provides eligible entities—like schools, governments, and non-profits—access to pre-negotiated contracts, saving time and money while ensuring compliance with procurement regulations. Membership is free, offering benefits like competitive pricing, expert purchasing support, and access to nationally sourced contracts. Vendors are selected through a transparent, competitive bidding process approved by the Region 8 ESC Board. Eligible organizations can join quickly online to streamline their procurement needs through TIPS’ extensive network of trusted suppliers.