The Cooperative Purchasing Connection Bid Process
All of the Cooperative Purchasing Connection contracts are established through a Request for Proposal (RFP), Request for Bid (RFB) or negotiated agreement. We award contracts based on quality, proven performance, and pricing.
RFPs and RFBs are done in accordance with purchasing procedures mandated by state procurement laws and regulations. Therefore, purchasing from these contracts meet the requirements of the Uniform Municipal Contracting Law (MS 471.345) and benefit all entities that must comply with state purchasing laws (public and private schools, colleges and universities, cities, counties, non-profits, and all governmental entities).
The RFP/RFB process:
The Cooperative Purchasing Connection determines the need for specific commodity or service.
The Cooperative Purchasing Connection issues an RFP/RFB for the commodity or service.
The RFP/RFB is advertised, for two consecutive weeks, in the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
All RFP/RFB responses are publically opened and recorded at the Cooperative Purchasing Connection office in Fergus Falls, MN.
Responses are tabulated and evaluated by the Cooperative Purchasing Connection and members (if applicable).
The contract is awarded to one or multiple vendors.
The Minnesota Service Cooperative's Board of Directors approves the contract.
Contracts established through a negotiated agreement are called Preferred Vendor Agreements (PVA) and do not meet competitive bidding requirements. These agreements are only completed for proprietary products or services that will not exceed the bid limit.
