“Much like a family joining Costco to take advantage
of its purchasing power, King County wants to take advantage of a program
that has over 5,000 members,” said Councilmember
Larry Phillips, Chair of the Council’s
Budget and Fiscal Management Committee. “We are facing difficult budget
times, and are exploring every opportunity to save money.”
The motion requests that the county executive
participate in the U.S. Communities Government Purchasing Alliance, a
national non-profit agency which is co-sponsored by the National Association
of Counties (NACo), the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing, the
National League of Cities, and the U.S. Conference of Mayors.
“This is a program that has saved local governments
over $350 million since it creation in 1997,” said Councilmember
Jane Hague, Vice Chair of Budget and
Fiscal Management and the past president of NACo. “This is cooperation on a
national level, teaming with governments that are working through the same
fiscal challenges facing King County in an alliance that saves everyone
money. And the time is right to save money.”
There is no cost to joining U.S. Communities, which
assist public agencies in reducing their cost of purchase goods by pooling
their purchasing power. The advisory board of U.S. Communities, made up of
public purchasing professionals from large public jurisdictions from around
the country, investigate products that should be part of the program.
Vendors participating in the program state that their prices on products are
the lowest available. If a local agency is eligible for lower pricing
through a state, regional or local contract, vendors will match those
prices.
All the contracts are non-exclusive, which means a
member of the alliance doesn’t have to purchase a product from a particular
vendor. Goods available through the alliance include computer equipment,
office supplies, office furniture, industrial supplies and
telecommunications equipment.
“This is a chance to see a cost savings through
discounts offered by the vendors that are participants in the alliance,”
said Phillips. “We are in a position where literally every penny counts, and
I think this program is an excellent opportunity.”
