Transcript TAPS - Missouri Association of Rural Education

Who We Are

A Cooperative Purchasing Network for
government agencies in the State of Missouri
 Sponsored by the MARE in Missouri and
Region 8 Education Service Center in Mt.
Pleasant, TX
 Servicing government agencies throughout
Missouri
 Building Partnerships between vendors and
government agencies
TIPS Resources




TIPS is a statewide purchasing
cooperative.
The operation is a Partnership between
MARE and Region 8 ESC to provide
efficiency.
TIPS currently has seven staff members
Web Site – www.tips-usa.com
Why We Do It
Government agencies need assistance
with purchasing:

Not enough staff

Not enough expertise

Not enough time & resources

Not individually large enough to get the
best contracts
Why We Do It
Paradigms are shifting in government
agency purchasing to what private
enterprise purchasing did 15 years ago.
Government Purchasing
Paradigm Shifts

Bid/Buy
=
Annual Contracts

Many Vendors
=
Fewer vendors

Many Contracts
=
Fewer Contracts
Government Purchasing
Paradigm Shifts

Costly Paperwork =
E-commerce

Purchasing Control=
Customer
Service

Price Only
=
Value Added
Services
What TIPS Does

Solicits competitive proposals in compliance
with government agency bid laws in the State
of Texas and Missouri

Awards contracts for primary and secondary
vendors by commodity categories

Makes 63 competitively bid contracts
available to participating agencies

Establishes annual renewable contracts
that can be used as needed
What TIPS Does
Evaluates Competitive Proposals on the
following criteria:
 Quality of product line offered
 Quantity of line items available that
are used by participating agencies
 Customer support
 Suppliers demonstrated ability to
perform
 Pricing
What TIPS Does Not Do

Charge membership or participation
fees to participating agencies

Does not award all bidders with a contract

Does not make sales calls on behalf of
vendors
Where

TIPS has over 750 active participating
government agencies throughout the States of
Texas, Arkansas, and Missouri (71)

The main TIPS office is located in Mt. Pleasant,
TX with representatives traveling throughout
Texas, Arkansas, and Missouri

Toll free phone & fax lines are available to the
Mt. Pleasant office (866) 839-8477

Negotiating with Oklahoma, Kansas, and
California
Who Has Contracts With TIPS?
Competitively awarded contracts are held
by approximately 49 quality vendors
including: CDWG, Biz Supplies, Xerox,
KLC Video Security, Carrier Corp.,
MICO Industrial Corp., Unisource,
EnPointe, and Virco just to name a few…
Who Can Participate?
Any government agency or private school
in the State of Missouri including:
 Public School Districts, Municipal &
Junior Colleges
 Universities
 Cities, Counties
 State and Some Federal Agencies
How Do I Become a Member

Execute a Board Resolution

Execute an Interlocal Agreement
How To Use the Web Site:
www.tips-usa.com
Click on Missouri
How To Use the Web Site:
www.tips-usa.com
Hover over Vendors – Click on Awarded Vendors
How To Use the Web Site:
www.tips-usa.com
Sort by Vendor or Commodity – Click on GO
How To Use the Web Site:
www.tips-usa.com
Click on the Vendor link
How To Use the Web Site:
www.tips-usa.com
Vendor Profile Page
TIPS Contact Information:
David Mabe
Region 8 Education Service Center
Deputy Executive Director
(903) 575-2602
[email protected]
Kim Thompson
Administrative Assistant
(866) 839-8477
[email protected]
[email protected]