1. Simplifying Local Procurement
COSTARS
Simplifying Local Procurement

2. (Thresholds effective January 1, 2017)
PA Procurement Law
(Thresholds effective January 1, 2017)
Unless utilizing COSTARS or other acceptable cooperative purchasing program

3. LPPUs must register on the COSTARS website to become members.
A local public procurement unit (LPPU) is defined as:
Any political subdivision (E.G. Townships)
Any public authority, including 34 Airport Authorities
Any tax exempt, nonprofit education or public health
institution or organization
Any nonprofit fire company, nonprofit rescue company, nonprofit ambulance company
And to the extent provided by law, any other entity, including council of government or an area government, that expends public funds for the procurement of supplies and services
LPPUs must register on the COSTARS website to become members.
Once registered, members are able to purchase from available COSTARS or Statewide contracts.
The Department reserves the right to review on a case by case basis.

4. A COSTARS member may “piggy-back” off of state agency contractsOR
Use a COSTARS Exclusive contract.
Since these contracts have been previously bid by the state’s Bureau of Procurement, no additional formal bidding process is required.

5. COSTARS Contracts
A State agency contract that has reduced the supplier base by more than 50% requires the development of a COSTARS Contract
Contracts that are created exclusively for the use by the LPPUs, based upon perceived need.
COSTARS Contracts are awarded to all “responsive and responsible” bidders.
Suppliers may bid “ancillary services” such as maintenance, training, installation, and other services related to the specified product.

6. VS COSTARS STATE contracts contracts
COSTARS contracts have multiple choice of suppliers
STATE contracts often offer one or a few suppliers
COSTARS contracts offer competitive pricing
STATE contracts are competitively priced through supplier bidding (low bid typically or best value)
COSTARS contracts allow COSTARS members to choose suppliers based on price, geography, quality, etc.

7. COSTARS Contracts 5 Janitorial Supplies 25 Municipal Work Vehicles
1 Copiers & Multi-function Devices
3 IT Hardware
4 Office, School, & Library Supplies
5 Janitorial Supplies
6 Software
7 Foods
8 Maintenance, Repair &
Operation Equip & Supplies)
9 Graphic & Printing Services, Supplies, & Equipment
10 Voting Systems
11 Toiletries
12 Emergency Responder Loose Supplies
13 Emergency Responder Vehicles
14 Recreational & Fitness Equipment
15 Water & Waste Water Treatment Consumables
16 Water & Waste-Water Treatment Plant-Components/Equipment
17 Waste, Recycling & Materials Handling Containers
18 LED Traffic Signals
19 Laboratory Supplies
20 Medical Supplies
21 Pest Control Services
22 Weatherization Supplies
24 Traffic Signs
25 Municipal Work Vehicles
26 Passenger Vehicles
Energy Conservation Supplies
Grounds Keeping Supplies & Services
Energy Consulting Services
Signage
Streetscapes
Theater (Auditorium) Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment, A/V Equipment, Musical Instruments
Furniture & Window Treatments
Appliances, Cafeteria Supplies & Equipment
Uniforms & Related Services
Heavy Equipment Rental
COSTARS
Contracts

8. BROAD SCOPE OF CONTRACTS Maintenance, Repair, Operation
COSTARS-8
Maintenance, Repair, Operation

9. COSTARS Contracts Review “Guide to COSTARS Exclusive
Contracts Brochure” to examine the
broad scope of each contract.
Other Resources:
Quarterly Newsletter
Members’ Quote Kit
List of Suppliers
Online Training Center

10. PLUS
200 State Agency Contracts available to COSTARS members, for products such as:
Power Equipment
Bridge & Highway Maintenance Materials
Fuel, Motor Oil
Wireless Communication Services
AED & Accessories
Elevators/Escalators Maintenance & Repair
Plow Maintenance & Repair
Small Package Delivery
Aggregates
Drafting & Engineering Supplies, Equipment, Services
Bituminous Materials
Equipment Maintenance
Roadsalt
Two Way Radio Communications Equipment
OEM Heavy Duty Parts

12. MEMBERS COSTARS SAVINGS ON $1.1 Billion Spend FY2015 OVERVIEW
TRANSACTIONAL SAVINGS
COSTARS CONTRACTS $48,250,060
STATE AGENCY CONTRACTS $15,747,066
TOTAL $63,997,126
COMMODITY SAVINGS
COSTARS CONTRACTS $89,308,437
STATE AGENCY CONTRACTS* $87,725,242
TOTAL $177,033,679
GRAND TOTAL $241,030,805
* Includes rebates from UPS ($18,035) and WEX contracts ($353,160).

13. AIRPORT AUTHORITY COSTARS SPEND
FY 2016
Member Spend ~Savings
Punxsutawney $92,395 $18,941
Lehigh-Northampton $822,086 $168,528
Schuykill County $86,542 $17,741
Erie International $8,000 $1,640
Erie Regional $622,332 $127,578
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International $561,350 $115,077
Lancaster $ 34,939 $7,162
Susquehanna Area Regional $297,450 $60,977
Beaver County $ 12,981 $2,661
Philadelphia International $ 77,618 $15,912
Johnstown Cambria County $ 9,995 $2,049
Allegheny County $ 2,171,687 $445,196
Westmoreland County Airport $ 1,190,940 $244,143

14. COSTARS Enhanced Website www.costars.state.pa.us
Harnessing
the Power
of Cooperative
Purchasing
COSTARS
Enhanced Website
Complete user and member registration
Access COSTARS and state
agency contracts
Newsflashes and quarterly
newsletters
Update member profile
Resource/Training Center

15. www.costars.state.pa.us WEBSITE COSTARS Home Page
To access Members’ Page

18. Negotiating With Suppliers
Suppliers are prepared to negotiate, particularly on COSTARS Contracts.
Obtain AT LEAST 3 or 4 prices, if possible.
Announce up front that you are getting prices from several suppliers.
Return to your “preferred” supplier and provide opportunity to beat lowest price.
Remember your Objective:
Getting the best value for your Taxpayers!!

19. COSTARS Bruce Beardsley Kim Bullivant Claire Osborne Dawn Eshenour
Department of General Services
Bureau of Procurement
555 Walnut Street
6th Floor, Forum Place Harrisburg, PA 17101
STAR (7827)
Facebook.com/Costars-PA
Twitter.com/COSTARSNews
Bruce Beardsley
Marketing Manager
Kim Bullivant
Claire Osborne
Dawn Eshenour
Director
COSTARS Program Manager