By Lilla Hammond
March 17, 2003

U.S. Communities Government Purchasing Alliance, sponsored by The United States Conference of Mayors, continues to bring substantial savings to cities and other local governments across America. Since its inception in 1996, the program has saved public entities over $350 million through its cooperative purchasing contracts. Over 7,000 public entities now use the program for everything from office supplies to computers to furniture and industrial supplies.

The United States Conference of Mayors, The National Association of Counties, the National League of Cities, the Association of School Business Officials International and the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing jointly sponsor U.S. Communities. In addition, over 70 state associations of counties, leagues of cities and school associations endorse the program. Since all contracts under the program are competitively solicited and awarded by large public entities, most cities and other local governments can piggyback on the contracts without having to re'bid. This saves time, staff resources and money, as the program contracts assure best governmental pricing and service.

U.S. Communities is adding five product lines in 2003 which include janitorial supplies, school classroom furniture, copiers, procurement cards, and auto parts. The program will also re'solicit contracts for computers and peripherals and industrial supplies. The office supply contract was re'solicited in 2001 and has up to four years remaining for use by public agencies. Office furniture and systems also have four years remaining on the contract.

Local governments may access the contracts by registering on'line at www.uscommunities.org and clicking on the "Register Now" button. There is no fee or membership charge, and this is not an exclusive purchasing program. Also, public entities may use the contracts as much or as little as needed, and no minimum purchasing is required.

The program also provides best practices, including just'in'time delivery for items commonly shipped and re'delivered through a warehouse system. These best of breed practices add to the substantial price savings already assured by the program.

Competitively solicited products currently offered are:

For more information and to access the contracts, please call Lilla Hammond at The United States Conference of Mayors at (301) 460-5251 or email her at lhammond@usmayors.org. You may also visit usmayors.org/gpa and click on "US Communities."