COG initiated its Cooperative Purchasing Program in 1971 with the basic objective of reducing costs through economies of scale created through volume buying. By taking advantage of the combined purchasing power of participating jurisdictions, volume buying saves jurisdictions and their taxpayers money.
The program also promotes sharing information among area purchasing officials, and encourages continuing education for procurement professionals throughout the region.
Through the Chief Purchasing Officers Committee, participating agencies, school boards, authorities, and commissions cooperatively bid on more than 20 different purchases, resulting in larger volume and better unit pricing.
Currently, cooperative purchasing opportunities are available for alternative fuel vehicles, EMS medical supplies, fuel, ice melt, road salt, office furniture, office supplies, public safety equipment, and more.
Members also have the opportunity to use the the Rider Clause to join existing contracts and avoid the need to do in-house bidding.
Harnessing the Region's Purchasing Power
Water Treatment
COG is developing a regional bid for water treatment chemicals for local water authorities. The expected $50-100 million dollar per year buy would result in potential savings in the millions of dollars.
Subscriber Radios
COG is working on a solicitation for subscriber radios, which involves over 60,000 radios to be replaced over the next 10 years with expected savings per unit between $500-1500 and total regional savings of $30-90 million.
Fleets for the Future
MAPT is working on Fleets for the Future, a U.S. DOE project, to develop and implement five regional and one national procurement for alternative fuel vehicles and refueling/charging infrastructure, which will provide long lasting cost savings to members.
EMS Medical Supplies
COG is working with partners to create the first regional cooperative purchase for EMS Medical Supplies. The bid is expected to provide buying power that will result in savings of 5-10 percent over current individual agency prices.
Diesel Fuel
COG is working with WMATA to put together a 2017 Cooperative Diesel Fuel bid. Member governments from across the region could benefit from the potential purchase of 30,000,000 gallons of fuel - a projected savings of over $7 million.
Gasoline Fuel
Eighteen COG members participated in a COG cooperative contract for the purchase of gasoline fuel totaling $13 million.
Ice Melt
Twelve members who have taken advantage of the contract for ice melt will collectively save more than 20 percent over the life of the year-long contract.
Mid-Atlantic Purchasing Team (MAPT)
COG's partnership with the Baltimore Metropolitan Council and their members called the Mid-Atlantic Purchasing Team (MAPT) provides additional opportunities to participate in cooperative purchases and to ride on the contracts of these jurisdictions.
Contact
For more information about the Cooperative Purchasing Program, please contact Rick Konrad at rkonrad@mwcog.org or (202) 962-3332.