1. Texas Woman’s University
Purchasing thresholds and Cooperative Purchasing

2. Purchases up to $15,000
Approved quotes are required for furniture, IT and other special procurements
For most purchases under $15k quotes are not required however:
If you have one, send it so we can cite it.
The more documentation the better
Good for historical searches
You could find better pricing.
All purchases are cumulative for fiscal year per vendor
**Purchases $3,000 - $15,000 utilizing Federal Funds require quotes

3. Purchases $15, $40,000
Departments must attempt to solicit at least three (3) informal bids s
Estimates
Telephone quotes
2 must be from a HUB vendor
If any are "No Bid", you must obtain a 4th bid from any vendor
The bids are entered at the distribution level of line one of the requisition. Information required for input - Company name, FID, total bid amount, contact name and telephone number (or ) of the person giving the quote and HUB Ethnicity and Gender.

4. Purchases $40,000+ Must be competitively bid
IFB (Invitation for Bid) or RFP (Request for Proposal) must be issued
If purchasing personnel determines that the best value for the University purchased will be achieved on the open market, the competitive procurement procedures will be used
Please visit our website for the Formal Bid Process
Request for Solicitation Form
- The Purchasing Office buyer secures competitive bids by formal bids using the Texas Centralized Master Bidders List (CMBL).
- A bid opening date is assigned and bids are mail/faxed to potential bidders.
- Bids are opened and are referred to the department with a recommendation by the Buyer.
- Department authorizes recommendation and returns to Purchasing for processing.
Purchasing makes awards to the bidder offering the best value to the university. Requesting departments may request review of the bids and may recommend to Purchasing that an award be made to other than the bidder selected by Purchasing by providing justification for the award. Purchasing is the sole determinant of acceptability of the justification.

5. Cooperative Purchasing
Statewide Procurement Division (SPD) awards and manages hundreds of statewide contracts
Products and services offered have been established through open competition and meet state purchasing and competitive bid requirements
All State contracts have been competitively bid and do not require any additional procurement steps on behalf of the University
Cooperative Purchasing on TWU website

6. State Contracts Department of Information Resources (DIR)
Description
Department of Information Resources (DIR)
Offers more than 650 contracts for technology products and services including: hardware, software, staffing services, maintenance, and other services with a high customer demand, such as managed services and technology training. No bidding is required.
SPD
Term contracts that have been awarded by the state. Purchasing under a state contract exempts bidding requirements.
Texas Correctional Industries (TCI)
Benefits the state of Texas by generating cost savings and by providing quality products and services to eligible agencies. Products include: mattresses, shoes, garments, brooms, license plates, printed materials, janitorial supplies, soaps, detergents, furniture, textile and steel products. No bidding is required.
WorkQuest
Is a catalyst for employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Serves as the interface between vocational rehabilitation centers and the purchasing systems of the state, cities, counties, schools districts, and hospital districts. No bidding is required.
Texas Multiple Award Schedule (TXMAS)
An alternative purchasing method where contracts have been developed from contracts awarded by the federal government or any other governmental entity. No bidding is required.

7. Federal Contracts Federal Contracts Description
GSA Schedule 70 - Technology
Contracts negotiated by the federal government that can be used for the purchase of goods and services in the areas of technology and facilities. As an institution of higher education, TWU may use the contracts listed on schedules 70 and 84 only. No bidding is required.
GSA Schedule 84 - Facilities

8. Cooperative Agencies Cooperative Agency Description Buyboard
Cooperative Purchasing Agreement for a wide range of products and services. No bidding is required. A username and/or password is required. Request a username/password.
Educational & Institutional Cooperative Purchasing (E&I)
Not-for-profit buying cooperative. Contracts more than 80 suppliers in the areas of: Furniture, Interior Furnishings, Computers & Electronics, Maintenance, Food Service, Office Equipment & Supplies, Background Investigations, and Transportation & Delivery Services. No bidding is required.
HGACBuy
A nationwide, government procurement service striving to make governmental procurement process more efficient. All contracts available to participating members of HGACBuy have been awarded by virtue of a public competitive procurement process compliant with state statutes.
National Cooperative Purchasing Alliance (NCPA)
A leading national government purchasing cooperative working to reduce the cost of goods and services by leveraging the purchasing power of public agencies in all 50 states. NCPA specializes in Technology, Cloud, Facilities, Construction, Athletic, Transportation, Furniture, Medical Supplies and Security equipment and services. No bidding is required.
Sourcewell
A public agency serving as a national purchasing cooperative with 170+ competitively awarded contracts and 50,000 member agencies.  No cost, no obligation membership. Technology, MRO, Facilities, Scientific/Laboratory, Construction, Heavy Equipment, Transportation, Waste & Recycling, Appliances, Electronics, Logistics, and more. No bidding is required.

9. Cooperative Agencies continued
Choice Partners
Partners include: Facilities Planning and Facility Contracts, Supplies and Service Contracts, Food Contracts with Bread, Dairy, Grocery, and Produce, Technology Products, and Choice Energy Partners. No bidding is required. A username and/or password is required.  Request a username/password.
Vizient
Offers a full spectrum of cost-effective products and services including student health products, dining services, and building services/facilities management. No bidding is required.
OMNIA Partners
Assists in helping public agencies and non-profits reap the benefits of national leveraged pricing, with no cost to the member. Contracts cover: Facilities, Furniture, Office Supplies & Equipment, security Systems, and Technology and other goods and service industries. No bidding required.
The Interlocal Purchasing System (TIPS/TAPS)
Provides school districts and other governmental entities opportunities for greater efficiency and economy in acquiring goods and services. No bidding is required.
Tarrant County Purchasing
A leader in providing interlocal agreements that allow other government jurisdictions to obtain goods at competitive prices.
U.S. Communities National Purchasing Cooperative
Provides resources and solutions to: local and state government agencies, school districts (K-12), higher education, and nonprofits.  Reduces the cost of goods and services to include, but not limited to: Facilities, Office & School Supplies, Specialty Items, and Technology. No bidding is required.