By Jeffrey Bean
February 11, 2008

“One billion dollars! That is what U.S. Communities (USC) cooperative purchasing program has saved public agencies over its ten year life,” Co-Manager Steve Swendiman announced to the mayors at the 76th Winter Meeting.

U.S. Communities is a government purchasing alliance that sponsors the largest national buying cooperative for local governments. The program’s goal is to save local government time and money, while still providing the highest quality products available. Among the publicly solicited contracts in the program are janitorial supplies, office furniture, office and school supplies, park and playground equipment, carpet and flooring, office machines, technology products and services, electrical and data communication, homeland security and public safety, maintenance repair and operating supplies, auto parts and roofing.

Swendiman went on to say, “For those that have an interest in greening city government, over 27 percent of the purchases on office and schools supplies qualify as green purchases. USC received an Award of Excellence from Office Depot for their efforts to increase the use of environmentally sensitive products. We now require every supplier to offer environmentally sensitive products under the terms and conditions of the contract awards.”

“In 2007, public agencies purchased over $1.3 billion in goods and services from the program, saving more than $200 million over comparative contracts. In 2008, this number is expected to approach $2 billion, with savings of over $300 million. I urge all of you to encourage your purchasing departments to use the program and to offer suggestions for new products, improvements and environmentally sensitive opportunities,” Swendiman concluded.

For additional information on the program, go to the website uscommunites.org or contact Kathryn Kretschmer-Weyland at 301-460-5251 or kweyland@usmayors.org.

Los Angeles, CA

Dallas, TX

Houston, TX

Baltimore, MD

San Antonio, TX

Miami, FL

Austin, TX

Long Beach, CA

Seattle, WA

Kansas City, MO