State of Iowa Cooperative Purchasing Program

When you purchase from a State awarded contract, you can take advantage of the best negotiated pricing based on Statewide volume and spend. The more often agencies, local government, and schools use the contract – the more volume and the better rates DAS is able to negotiate. Regardless of your product volume, you reap the rewards of the State volume purchasing power. 

DAS contracts (“Master Agreements”) are competed by State of Iowa DAS Central Procurement following Iowa Code, policies, and procedures. Awarded contracts are compliant with Iowa Code, with appropriate terms and conditions, insurance coverage requirements, with vendors who have been vetted and approved for use by the State. This allows you to bypass the solicitation process because it has already been at the State level. Save valuable staff time and improve efficiencies, while ensuring compliance with State regulations. 

Many State contracts have multiple contractors to help expedite delivery needs throughout the State. Local business owners / dealers often have the ability to honor State contract pricing, allowing you to keep purchases in your community. You work directly with the vendor to secure the goods and services, by simply referencing the State MA # and issuing a purchase order to the State contracted vendor.

It's a free service in which eligible organizations can purchase goods and services from 800+ state contracts directly from vendors. Cooperative purchasing leverages economies of scale that very often result in lower pricing and better terms and conditions.

The purpose of the program is to leverage spend across all entities to obtain volume discounts, while mitigating risk to State and local governments by utilizing terms and conditions compliant with State code.

Cities, counties, townships, school districts, colleges and universities, police and fire departments, and certain non-profit organizations.

There is no fee. DAS may ask participants to confirm spend data on purchases made against State MA’s.

No, participation is voluntary. Purchasing from DAS contracts is an option to save you time and money. You may select which contracts to utilize depending upon the needs of your entity.

Eligible organizations simply find the contract they would like to use, then contact the vendor for State contract pricing. Be sure to reference the State of Iowa MA # (contract #) when you contact the vendor. All quotes and invoices should reference the State of Iowa contract # to ensure contract pricing. Orders are placed directly to the vendor, with shipment direct to the purchaser.

It may. Your entity’s governing rules and regulations take precedence over Cooperative Purchasing’s. Check with your legal counsel if uncertain what your requirements are.

More than 800 contracts are currently available that offer a wide variety of goods and services. Examples include cleaning supplies, copiers, flooring, fuel, furniture, industrial supplies, office supplies, paint, paper, uniforms, vehicles, and much more. Services available include document destruction/shredding, digital scanning, translating, building automation, preventive maintenance, vehicle up-fitting, vehicle maintenance and repair, mechanical services HVAC, etc.

State of Iowa awarded contracts are posted on IMPACS . When you navigate to the IMPACS system follow the instructions for public login.

Not always. The program does not guarantee the lowest price on every item. However, all Cooperative Purchasing contracts are awarded through an open procurement process and pricing will be consistently fair and competitive along with established terms and conditions.

There could be a number of possibilities, including:

•  Vendors may offer to sell at prices lower than the state contract as a marketing strategy.
• The lower-priced offering may not provide a comparable level of warranty and liability protections.
•  State requirements such as environmental responsibility, support for Iowa businesses, state auditor access to business records and limits on offshore outsourcing that may add costs, but also strengthen important Iowa values.

Yes. State contract information and pricing information is available online.

Yes. First, you can be confident in knowing that your purchases will meet strict standards of ethical and accountable public procurement. Utilizing DAS awarded contracts can also reduce administrative effort and time, allowing staff to concentrate on mission-critical activities.

Yes. We welcome and encourage participation on ad hoc work groups that help identify needs and specifications. Representatives of your organization can also serve on panels that evaluate vendor responses. Participation is voluntary.

Purchasing experts from the DAS Central Services Procurement research products and market conditions, negotiate for favorable terms and pricing, and assist members with vendor management issues, including vendor disputes. The Office of the Attorney General provides legal support and representation.

The program is funded primarily through administrative fees (paid by Vendors), usually one-quarter to one percent, that are applied to the sales generated against the contract. Contract prices include the administrative fee, if applicable, so customers always know their actual price.