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Consent

Brentwood City Commission Agenda

Meeting Date:	01/14/2019
Resolution 2019-09 - Authorizing Membership in the TIPS Cooperative Purchasing Program
Submitted by:	Susan Earl, Library
Department:	Library

Information

Subject

Resolution 2019-09 - Authorizing Membership in TIPS (The Interlocal Purchasing System) to Purchase Furniture, Equipment, and Supplies for any City of Brentwood Department

Background

The John P. Holt Brentwood Library is in the process of procuring nesting tables for its large meeting rooms, utilizing funds provided by the Friends of the Brentwood Library. A request to authorize that purchase is included on this agenda under separate cover. It is explained in that agenda memo that in order to obtain the most favorable pricing available, the City must be a member of a joint purchasing cooperative known as TIPS. It is the opinion of staff that being a member of this cooperative would be advantageous not only to the Library, but to other departments as well.

TIPS is a national cooperative procurement organization based in Pittsburg, Texas, offering publicly solicited contracts to government entities nationwide. Contracts are created through a public solicitation by a "lead public agency." Access to the cooperative contracts is free and there are no purchasing obligations. The purpose of these agreements is to allow for the purchase of a wide variety of furniture, equipment, and supplies at better prices through cooperative efforts, which creates a business and service alliance between buyers and suppliers. TIPS was created to allow participating municipalities and other governmental agencies to reduce the cost of purchasing goods by leveraging combined purchasing power of many agencies.

All members have access to a broad range of publicly solicited contracts along with individual discount programs and negotiated contracts for below threshold purchases. Many of the vendors used by government departments in Cities and Counties, such as Williamson County, offer discounted pricing utilizing TIPS pricing.

Tennessee law specifically provides that local governments may participate in purchasing cooperatives such as TIPS and that purchases from such cooperatives comply with the State's competitive bidding requirements. Participation must be authorized at the local level through adoption of a resolution by the governing body. The City is currently a participant in four other purchasing cooperatives, the National Joint Powers Alliance (now Sourcewell), the Houston-Galveston Area Council, US Communities, and National Purchasing Partners for Government.

The Library Department will continue to explore the least expensive options when securing goods and services, and cooperative pricing through TIPS will be utilized only when determined to be the most cost effective.

Staff Recommendation

Staff recommends approval of Resolution 2019-09 authorizing membership in The Interlocal Purchasing System

Fiscal Impact

Amount :
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Fiscal Impact:

There is no direct financial impact to membership. Goods or services procured through the cooperative will have the advantage of volume pricing and having already been subject to a competitive selection process.

Attachments
Resolution 2019-09
TIPS FAQ
Signed Resolution