Cooperative purchasing organizations provide fire departments and local government agencies access to nationwide publicly solicited contracts. These contracts are created through a nationwide public RFP process and awarded by a lead public agency.

The awarded contract satisfies the competitive bid requirements of most states. Also known as consortium purchasing, organization members are able to “piggyback” onto the awarded contract, eliminating the need to completed the RFP process themselves. Membership of the cooperative purchasing organizations is free and do not require purchasing obligations.

All perspective cooperative purchasing fire departments and local government agencies are encouraged to seek independent review by their legal counsel to ensure compliance with state and local requirements.