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The Cooperative Purchasing Program (HGACBuy) of the Houston-Galveston Area Council of Governments is soliciting offerings for the furnishing of products/services as described in this Solicitation. Texas Local Government Code (Title 7, Chapters 771 and 791) establishes the authority for H-GAC to provide cooperative contract products and services to Texas local governments and in other states if their statutes allow. With that authority, H-GAC makes varied categories of contracted products and services available.

H-GAC is soliciting Responses for selecting qualified manufacturers, distributors, installers and service providers to make the referenced types of products and services available to Customers of the HGACBuy Cooperative Purchasing Program under blanket type contracts. Customers may require selective acquisitions of equipment and/or services OR full turnkey projects necessitating additional services, training and maintenance agreements. This solicitation may include a request for a discount percent off price catalog, category, or manufacturer, or price list for supplies, materials, or not to exceed hourly rates for installation or repair. Respondents are not required to provide offerings on all categories.

H-GAC is a government agency which provides a Cooperative Purchasing Program as part of its service to other government agencies. The Program currently makes blanket type contracts covering products and services for the use of its membership of more than 9000 local government participants in Texas and other States (Customers) which include cities, counties, emergency services districts, school districts, and non-profit organizations. Any local government or non-profit organization may participate in the Program if their state law allows. There is no cost to join and become a member of the H-GAC Cooperative Purchasing Program.

H-GAC's Cooperative Purchasing Program, known as HGACBuy, was established pursuant to Texas Interlocal Cooperation Act [Texas Local Government Code, Title 7, Chapter 791]. The Act allows local governments and certain non-profits to contract or agree under the terms of the Act to make purchases or provide purchasing services and other administrative functions appropriately established by another government entity. The Interlocal Contract (ILC) is the required legal document that establishes a link between the Customer (local governments and certain non-profits) and HGACBuy and gives the Customer access to HGACBuy contracts.

HGACBuy contracts are established based on the requirements of Texas Local Government Code, Chapter 252 and/or other applicable State of Texas or Federal procurement requirements. Products and services are contracted after having been subjected to either a competitive bid (ITB); competitive proposal (RFP); or Request for Qualification and Pre-Qualification (RFQ) depending on the category type.

Contracts are blanket type and issued as Master Agreements. Use of HGACBuy for purchases by any Customer is strictly at the discretion of that entity. Customers issue purchase orders and pay the HGACBuy Contractor directly. The Customer also sends HGACBuy a copy of the purchase order and the Contractor is responsible for reporting the sale to HGACBuy as a contract requirement.