By Kathryn Kretschmer-Weyland
May 7, 2007

Marking its ten-year anniversary, U.S. Communities has saved cities, counties, schools and non-profits organizations across the country $735 million on $5 billion in purchases.

U.S. Communities (USC) is a money-saving national purchasing forum for local and state government agencies that pools the purchasing power of tens of thousands of public agencies in the U.S. and Canada. The alliance was founded in 1996 by the Conference of Mayors, the National Association of Counties, the National League of Cities, the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing and the Association of School Business Officials.

Nancy Locke, purchasing manager for Seattle, and a member of USC advisory board said Seattle has taken full advantage of the number of offerings through USC, including office supplies, technology solutions, janitorial supplies, maintenance and repair supplies, and playground equipment.

“In 2006 we estimate our total savings at more than $350,000,” Locke said. “In addition, the city of Seattle was able to piggyback on contracts and free our staff to work on more complicated solicitations for the city.”

Supervisor Gerry Hyland, Fairfax County (VA), a founding member of the alliance and an original member of the advisory board, said using USC program has “… saved Fairfax County millions of dollars in purchases on a plethora of products including office and school supplies, computer products, office furniture and industrial supplies.”

Hyland cited the office and school supply program as a prime example of savings.

“By using the existing contract under Los Angeles County, Fairfax County saved more than $1.6 million in fiscal year 2006 on these supplies,” Hyland said. “That $1.6 million a year plus significant savings from other alliance contracts allows us to fund other vital county services without having to ask for additional taxpayer assistance.”

Hyland said the soft dollar savings are as significant as the hard dollar savings. He again cited the Los Angeles County school supply contract as an example.

“In addition to hard dollar savings are process or soft savings, we no longer warehouse office and school supplies because the Los Angeles County contract requires ‘just-in-time’ delivery to our work sites. We no longer have to spend money on the bidding process because Los Angeles County incurred those costs on behalf of all users of the program,” Hyland said.Through contracts with such nationally recognized companies as Office Depot, Auto Zone, Home Depot, GTSI, Little Tikes, Herman Miller, Ricoh-Savin, and many others, USC currently offers thousands of products in the categories of office supplies, furniture, computers and technology, electrical and data supplies, janitorial supplies, carpeting and flooring, parks and play equipment, public safety and homeland security solutions, and auto parts and accessories.

Conference of Mayors Executive Director Tom Cochran notes that if your city is not taking advantage of this program you should have your purchasing professional look at it today and save your city money, time and resources. The USC program is easy to use. There is no fee to participate, no minimum spending and only a simple electronic registration is required. Any city may register online by visiting the website uscommunities.org and clicking on “Register to Participate.” For more information on USC, contact Kathryn Kretschmer-Weyland at kweyland@usmayors.org or 301-351-4350.