Title
Consider recommendation from the Finance/Administrative Committee to approve an interlocal agreement with Region 8 Education Service Center to provide cooperative purchasing services through The Interlocal Purchasing System (TIPS).
Body
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
Move the board adopt a resolution of the Edwards Aquifer Authority Board of Directors approving an interlocal agreement with Region 8 Education Service Center to provide cooperative purchasing services through The Interlocal Purchasing System and authorize the General Manager to execute the agreement.
SUMMARY:
The purpose of this agenda item is for Finance/Administrative Committee to consider an EAA staff recommendation to approve an interlocal agreement with Region 8 Education Service Center to provide cooperative purchasing services through The Interlocal Purchasing System (TIPS). TIPS is a national cooperative purchasing program for use by schools, colleges, universities, cities, counties, and other government entities in all 50 states as authorized by each entity’s jurisdictional legal requirements. Region 8 Education Service Center, located in Pittsburg, Texas is the lead government agency for the cooperative.
TIPS cooperative purchasing groups conduct the competitive procurement process, evaluate proposals, and award contracts for various goods and services that are ready-to-use. This allows participating agencies within the purchasing group to purchase goods and services without the need for a formal procurement process, thereby making the procurement process efficient, economical, and effective. The EAA is authorized to participate in these types of cooperative purchasing programs per Texas Local Gov't Code Section 271.102.
The EAA is a member of other similar cooperative purchasing groups (such as the Texas SmartBuy Membership Program, PACE Purchasing Cooperative, BuyBoard, and Omnia). By participating in the TIPS cooperative purchasing group, the EAA will have access to additional competitively bid goods and services.
Attached are the TIPS interlocal agreement and resolution which have been reviewed by legal counsel.
At the July 23 meeting, the Finance/Administrative Committee voted to recommend the board adopt a resolution of the Edwards Aquifer Authority Board of Directors approving an interlocal agreement with Region 8 Education Service Center to provide cooperative purchasing services through The Interlocal Purchasing System and authorize the General Manager to execute the agreement.
M/WBE PARTICIPATION:
This agenda item does not involve the direct procurement of goods or services by the EAA and, therefore, this section is not applicable.
STRATEGIC PLAN REFERENCE:
This agenda item does not relate to a specific goal within the Strategic Plan, but supports the general EAA mission.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.