Good, Bad, and Ugly: The Debate with Using Cooperative Procurement Agreements

Large cooperative procurement agreements can provide many benefits including better pricing, shorter purchasing timelines, access to pre-negotiated contracts, and improved supplier relationships. However, using a cooperative agreement also can limit new ideas, reduce opportunities for suppliers, require governments to accept less than ideal terms, and create the potential for conflict with procurement policies or grant requirements.

In this session, speakers will present the pros and cons of cooperative procurement and provide best practice strategies for evaluating options and incorporating cooperative procurement into your procurement policies.