By Katie Logisz
December 13, 2004

2004 has been U.S. Communities' most successful year to date. The program has now grown substantially, assisting public entities across the nation with securing non-exclusive contracts for services and goods. The U.S. Communities program allows public entities to piggy-back contracts solicited by another public agency. U.S. Communities Government Purchasing Alliance has established a national structure for local government agencies to make use of their collective purchasing power and to improve the overall effectiveness of their purchasing processes. The program works by a single agency taking the lead role in competitively soliciting a contract for goods or services. Other agencies then can utilize the lead agency's contract, thus acquiring the ability for savings.

The United States Conference of Mayors is a founding national sponsor of this program and fully supports and encourages mayors and their cities to take advantage of the savings that the program offers. Many cities are already taking advantage of this opportunity. To use this program, cities must first register with the program. A city is then permitted to utilize all lead agency contracts. There are no restrictions on the amount or size of a public agency order. The U.S. Communities program offers non-exclusive contracts and the most favorable public sector pricings at no cost for participation. Public agencies pay no costs and are charged no feeds.

For more information on how your city can benefit from the non-exclusive contracts offered through the U.S. Communities Purchasing Alliance or for information on how to become a lead agency on a contract, contact Katie Logisz with the Conference of Mayors at 202-861-6739 or email her at klogisz@usmayors.org.