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PAGE 6 <br />COOPERATIVE PURCHASING <br /> <br />Per MN Statute 471.345, subd. 15, municipalities may contract for the purchase of supplies, <br />materials, or equipment by utilizing contracts that are available through the state’s cooperative <br />purchasing venture authorized by section 16C.11. <br /> <br />If a municipality does not utilize the state’s cooperative purchasing venture, a municipality may <br />contract for the purchase of supplies, materials, or equipment without regard to the competitive <br />bidding requirements if the purchase is through a national municipal association’s purchasing <br />alliance or cooperative created by a joint powers agreement that purchases items from more than <br />one source on the basis of competitive bids or competitive quotations. <br /> <br />Cooperative purchasing is intended to save government agencies time and money when <br />purchasing common products. Of course, there are no guaranteed savings, but cooperative <br />buying power is a time-tested method of savings. <br /> <br />Cooperative purchasing is currently allowed through the following sources: <br /> <br />State of Minnesota’s Cooperative Purchasing Venture (CPV) Program <br />OMNIA Partners, Public Sector <br />Houston-Galveston Area Council (HGACBuy) <br />BuyBoard National Purchasing Cooperative <br />Sourcewell <br />National Cooperative Purchasing Alliance (NCPA) <br />The Interlocal Purchasing System (TIPS) <br />