The Interlocal Cooperative Agreement is one of the seven (7) approved purchasing methods identified by Texas Education Code, Section 44.031.  The Maintenance Department purchases materials, supplies and services, such as electrical, plumbing, carpentry, painting, heating/air conditioning, audio/visual, locksmith, welding, tools, fire alarms, building materials, grounds, kitchen supplies and boilers, throughout the year utilizing various Interlocal Cooperative Agreements to provide schools and facilities with safe and healthy environments that are conducive and supportive of student educational achievement. 

Board Policy CH (Local) states “The Superintendent shall also be authorized to approve budgeted purchases of materials and supplies utilizing Interlocal Cooperative contracts up to $100,000.00 per vendor in the aggregate of a twelve (12) month period.”    Expenditures are projected to exceed the $100,000.00 dollar limit in the aggregate of a twelve (12) month period.  The District anticipates the purchase of these items in the estimated dollar amount of $4,000,000.00 to support the day-to-day operation and maintenance of the District. This request for approval to utilize cooperative purchasing contracts will ensure that the District remains in compliance with Texas Education Code, Section 44.031, and Board Policy CH (Local).  In addition, the utilization of cooperative agreements provides the flexibility and available resources to purchase needed supplies in a timely manner. 

It is recommended by Ms. Carmen Arrieta-Candelaria, Deputy Superintendent of Finance and Operations; Mr. Alan A. Wiernicki, Chief Quality Officer; Mr. Ron Gatlin, Executive Director of Procurement Services; and Ms. Deborah Martinez, Buyer, that the Board approve purchases for the Maintenance Department for materials, supplies and services utilizing the following cooperative entities: Region One Education Service Center; Region 2 Goodbuy Purchasing Program; Region 8 Education Service Center; The Interlocal Purchasing Cooperative (TIPS); Education Service Center Region 16 TexBuy; Region 19 Education Service Center Allied States Cooperative (ASC); Region 20 Education Service Center; Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) BuyBoard; Ysleta Independent School District (YISD); Socorro Independent School District (SISD); Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR); Houston-Galveston Area Council (HGAC); Texas Multiple Award Schedule (TXMAS); Texas Cooperative Purchasing Network (TCPN); Harris County Department of Education (HCDE) Choice Partners; National Cooperative Purchasing Alliance (NCPA); National Joint Powers Alliance (NJPA); Central Texas Purchasing Alliance (CTPA); Education Service Centers Region 13 and Region 20 Purchasing Association of Cooperative Entities (PACE); El Paso Community College (EPCC); General Services Administration (GSA) Advantage; 1Government Procurement Alliance (1GPA); US Communities; E & I Cooperative Service; Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing; and OMNIA Partners, throughout the year, on an as needed basis, in the estimated amount of $4,000,000.00.