Complimentary Membership
School districts, universities, and government agencies can join for free.
Cost Savings
BuyBoard leverages the power of nationwide volume, so prices are often lower than an entity can get on its own.
Efficiency
BuyBoard’s request for quotes (RFQ) functionality allows members to request pricing on volume needs from multiple vendors.
Compliance
BuyBoard provides members with local and state procurement requirements and a documented audit trail.
World-Class Vendors & Service
Members have access to a wide range of vetted companies that offer quality products, equipment, and services.
The following governmental entities are eligible to participate for BuyBoard: cities, community colleges, counties, municipalities, public universities, school districts, towns, villages, and other local government agencies. Click here to see a list of the over 6,000 members.
Establish your complimentary membership and start saving in just three simple steps:
- Start the process by reviewing the interlocal participation agreement.
- Complete the online form and submit.
- Once your agreement is approved, log in and start saving.
Your local vendors can apply to participate in BuyBoard, which allows you to continue using them, which keeps the money spent supporting in your local economy. We highly encourage their participation. In fact, by participating, your vendors will have greater business opportunities with a wider variety of local governments. We also would encourage your vendors to register with the Cooperative to receive notice of future proposal announcements. Click here to see the current list of vendors by state.
How does the Cooperative work and how do I order products?
The Cooperative analyzes and makes award recommendations for products and services that have been submitted for competitive procurement. All awarded items or catalogs will be posted on the secure BuyBoard web site so that BuyBoard members can search for and select items and order. BuyBoard is available only to members.
How do I order products?
Each user has a security role, defined by the entity that allows them to shop, and/or transmit a purchase order to the vendor. Individuals can be assigned multiple roles or a single role, such as a shopper only. Only those individuals with the authority to transmit a purchase order to a vendor will have the ability to do so.
The other option is to simply fax (800.211.5454) or e-mail your purchase order to the BuyBoard for input.
How does the request for quote (RFQ) option work?
An automated request for quote (RFQ) function allows members who buy in volume to create a request for a selected item(s) and select the vendors from whom they want to solicit a price quote. When the RFQ closes and vendors have responded, the system automatically tabulates the results. A simple click of the award button puts the items into the user’s shopping basket for the creation of a requisition and purchase order. For any large-volume purchases, the RFQ process allows for additional price concessions from awarded Co-op vendors without members going through the formal competitive procurement process themselves.
How many individuals from our entity can have access to the Cooperative's BuyBoard?
You may choose to authorize as many as you wish. There is no limit for the number each entity can authorize. Remember, most employees are considered shoppers, only allowing them to fill their shopping baskets. All employees can be issued passwords to search and shop for products without any compromise to the purchasing process.
What type of technical support is available?
A toll-free customer support number 800 695-2919 is available from BuyBoard. Technical support representatives can answer questions regarding the operation of the system. There are “How To” videos available to walk you through some of the common processes, A Quick Reference Guide is available to walk you through the all aspects of the BuyBoard program. A desktop reference guide is also available that provides a quick summary of basic BuyBoard tasks. Visit the BuyBoard website for more information about these resources.
Do we commit our entity to ordering only from the BuyBoard by joining the Cooperative?
A variety of products are available at discounts from manufacturers' prices. Members can elect to do all their purchasing from these discounted catalogs or only purchase selected items.
The Cooperative’s intent is to extend the options available to local governments and other political subdivisions. After becoming a member, you choose how to participate, product category by product category, item by item.
What happens if we have a problem with a supplier?
If the BuyBoard member cannot resolve the problem directly with the vendor, the BuyBoard staff is available to intervene. For support, call the toll-free customer support number 800 695-2919.
What about my current vendors?
We highly encourage their participation. In fact, by participating, your vendors will have greater business opportunities with a wider variety of local governments. We also would encourage your vendors to register with the Cooperative to receive notice of future proposal announcements.
How do we know we will save money by buying through BuyBoard?
The overall objective of BuyBoard is to provide a mechanism for all eligible local governments and school districts to pool their collective purchasing power. Cooperatives save money. Of course, there are no guaranteed savings, but cooperative buying power is a time-tested method of savings.