130 likes | 334 Views
TIPS/TAPS Purchasing Systems. TIPS/TAPS History. Started in Region 8 in 2003 with 32 members Original Name – Texas Interlocal Purchasing System Expanded to Arkansas in 2005 (TAPS) Expanded to Missouri in 2006 (Changed name to The Interlocal Purchasing System)
E N D
TIPS/TAPS History • Started in Region 8 in 2003 with 32 members • Original Name – Texas Interlocal Purchasing System • Expanded to Arkansas in 2005 (TAPS) • Expanded to Missouri in 2006 (Changed name to The Interlocal Purchasing System) • Added the state of Oklahoma in 2007 • Today’s membership – 1661 entities from 39 states
What isTIPS/TAPS? • The Interlocal Purchasing System and The Arkansas Purchasing System is sponsored by the Region VIII Education Service Center (ESC8) and is located in Mt. Pleasant, Texas. • TIPS/TAPS is available for use by all public and private schools, colleges, universities, cities, counties, and other government entities.
What isTIPS/TAPS? • Vendors with TIPS/TAPS competitively awarded contracts have agreed to provide the best pricing, terms and conditions available to similar customers. • Vendors and participating entities both benefit. • The participating entity avoids the time and expense of going through the bidding process.
What isTIPS/TAPS? • If a vendor is successful competing for a TIPS/TAPS contract, the vendor can avoid the time and expense of going through the competitive bidding process for each individual participating entity.
What is the purpose of TIPS/TAPS? • Provide school districts and other governmental entities opportunities for greater efficiency and economy in acquiring goods and services. • Take advantage of cooperative purchasing procedures that insure the most competitive contracts. • Equalize purchasing power for smaller entities that are not able to command the best contracts for themselves.
What is the purpose of TIPS/TAPS? • Provide competitive price solicitation and bulk purchasing for multiple government entities that yields economic benefits unobtainable by individual entities. • Provide quick and efficient delivery of goods and services by contracting with "high performance" vendors.
What is the purpose of TIPS/TAPS? • Maintain credibility and confidence in business procedures by maintaining open competition for purchases and by complying with purchasing laws and ethical business practices.
What commodities are available to members? • HVAC (Carrier, Texas Air Systems, Kim Neal & Associates • Computer Equipment (CDW-G, CDI Computers) • Sports Facility Lighting (MUSCO Sports Lighting) • Roofing (Parsons, Freedom, DK Haney) • Instructional Furniture (MISSCO) • Audio Video Equipment (Video Reality, B&H Photo Video Pro-Audio) • Trades, Temporary Labor and Materials (CAS Companies) • Surveillance (KLC Video Security) • Other Top Categories: Energy Professional Services, Refurbished Computers, Software
How does a government entity join? • The school district or other government entity signs an Interlocal Agreement and a Board Resolution with Region VIII E.S.C. • http://www.tips-usa.com/membership.cfm
What is the cost to join? • TIPS does not charge any membership fees for participating entities. The total cost of the TIPS/TAPS program is funded through a fee paid by the participating vendors that is based on actual sales.
TIPS/TAPSContact Information(866) 839-8477 Dr. Ray Glynn ESC 8 Executive Director (903) 575-2601 rglynn@reg8.net Karen Whitaker ESC 8 Deputy Executive Director (903) 575-2715 kwhitaker@reg8.net Kim Thompson TIPS Coordinator (903) 575-2608 kthompson@reg8.net