Key takeaways
- Cooperative programs specialize: Sourcewell and HGACBuy are strong in vehicles and public safety, E&I in education, TIPS in job order construction, Texas DIR and GSA in IT.
- Who can buy differs by program: some are open nationwide, NASPO ValuePoint depends on each state's participating addendum, and Texas DIR needs an agreement for out-of-state buyers.
- Before pursuing a cooperative award, check which programs your target agencies already use for your category.
- An award puts you on the shelf. Agencies still need to hear about you, which takes outreach.
Cooperative contracts by category
Each major cooperative program has its own strengths. This table shows which programs carry contracts in each category, based on the categories each program publishes.
| Category | Programs with contracts in this category |
|---|---|
| IT hardware, software and cloud | OMNIA (hardware, software, cybersecurity, cloud, managed IT); E&I (IT for education); Texas DIR (hardware, software, cloud, security); GSA's Cooperative Purchasing Program covers IT |
| Public safety equipment and software | Sourcewell (body armor, public safety hardware and software, video surveillance, training and simulation); GSA (security and protection, law enforcement equipment); HGACBuy (emergency equipment and supplies) |
| Fire apparatus, ambulances and emergency vehicles | Sourcewell (fire apparatus, ambulance and EMS vehicles, firefighting equipment and PPE); HGACBuy (general purpose, emergency and autonomous vehicles) |
| Fleet vehicles | Sourcewell (fleet vehicles and products); HGACBuy (vehicles); NASPO ValuePoint (fleet-related portfolio); OMNIA (fleet); GSA (non-combat motor vehicles) |
| Communications, radio and wireless | Sourcewell (communications equipment, wireless voice and data); NASPO ValuePoint (public safety communications); HGACBuy (communication equipment and services); Texas DIR (telecommunications) |
| Public works, grounds and infrastructure equipment | HGACBuy (public works equipment; grounds, facilities and parks equipment; infrastructure equipment and services) |
| Emergency preparedness and disaster recovery | HGACBuy (emergency preparedness and disaster recovery); GSA's Disaster Purchasing Program, tied to declared emergencies |
| Facilities, MRO and building systems | OMNIA (HVAC, lighting, custodial, roofing, flooring, maintenance); E&I (facilities and MRO); GSA (facilities management systems) |
| Construction and job order contracting | TIPS (job order contracting for HVAC, roofing, pavement, trades, abatement and sports surfaces) |
| Office, classroom and furniture | OMNIA (office supplies, business and administrative); E&I (office, classroom and interiors) |
| Professional services and staffing | HGACBuy (consulting and staffing); OMNIA (staffing and HR services); E&I (consulting and administrative services); Texas DIR (IT staffing, deliverables-based IT services) |
| Uniforms and protective apparel | Sourcewell (uniforms, firefighting PPE); GSA (clothing and protective apparel) |
| Food service | OMNIA (food services); E&I (food and food services) |
| Research, lab and athletics (education) | E&I (research and scientific; athletics); TIPS (sports fields and courts through JOC) |
Based on the categories each program lists on its official site, October 2026. Contracts are awarded, renewed and expire all the time, so check a program's current contract list for your specific product. Many other programs exist, including BuyBoard, state contracts open to local governments and regional councils of governments. For how cooperative purchasing works, see our guide to cooperative purchasing contracts.
Who can buy from each program
| Program | Who can buy | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Sourcewell | Government, education and nonprofit organizations; more than 50,000 members, per Sourcewell | Nationwide |
| HGACBuy | Units of local government, state agencies and qualifying nonprofits, by interlocal contract | Nationwide |
| NASPO ValuePoint | Depends on each state's participating addendum, which may cover state agencies, local governments or both | Participating states |
| OMNIA Partners | State and local government, K-12 and higher education | Nationwide |
| E&I Cooperative Services | Education institutions: colleges, universities, community colleges and K-12; free membership | Nationwide |
| TIPS | Public entities; began as a cooperative of Texas's Region 8 Education Service Center | Nationwide |
| Texas DIR | Texas public entities; organizations outside Texas need an Interstate Cooperation Contract first | Texas, plus other states by agreement |
| GSA programs for state and local | State and local governments, for eligible Schedule categories under specific programs | Nationwide |
Even when a program is open to an agency, the agency must confirm that its own state law and procurement policy allow it to buy from that contract.
Choosing the right cooperative
- Ask your customers. The fastest signal is which cooperatives your existing government customers already buy through for your category.
- Look at your competitors' awards. Cooperative programs publish their awarded vendors. If competitors hold contracts in your category, buyers expect to find one.
- Match the program to your segment. An education-focused program suits K-12 and higher-ed sellers; programs strong in vehicles and public safety suit those markets.
- Check the costs. Many cooperatives fund themselves through administrative fees on sales, and awarded vendors take on reporting duties. Build both into pricing.
- Time the solicitation. Each program solicits categories on its own schedule. Watch for the next solicitation in yours, and prepare early.
Turning an award into sales
A cooperative award removes a buying obstacle, but it doesn't create demand. Agencies still need to know your product exists, believe it solves their problem and have budget to buy. The vendors that get the most from cooperative contracts tell eligible agencies, one by one, that they can buy without a new bid.
That's the outreach Kensington Sales Group runs: we contact cooperative-eligible agencies in your target segments, start conversations about their needs and make the buying path clear. See how our B2G lead generation works.
Sources: Sourcewell public safety categories; HGACBuy; NASPO ValuePoint; OMNIA Partners categories; E&I solutions; TIPS construction contracts; Texas DIR for organizations outside Texas; GSA programs for state and local governments.