Cooperative Purchasing Program
Local Government and Tribal Government Use of State Contracts
What is Cooperative Purchasing
By law, tribal governments and Montana's political subdivisions may purchase supplies and services in cooperation with the State of Montana. Section 18-4-402, MCA permits local governments, school districts and tribal procurement units to take advantage of the cost savings realized by the State's volume purchasing. Currently, cooperative purchasers may benefit by purchasing from State term contracts, the vehicle requisition time schedule, Central Stores program, and participating in the ordering of certain commodities needed by the Montana Department of Transportation.
How the Program Works
Information Requests
Direct information requests on cooperative purchasing to:
Property and Supply Bureau
Department of Administration
PO Box 200137
Helena MT 59620-0137
Phone: (406) 495-6000
Fax: (406) 495-6001
Sign a Cooperative Purchasing Memorandum of Understanding
The State of Montana requires that interested local governments, school districts and tribal governments sign a Cooperative Purchasing Memorandum of Understanding prior to utilizing state contracts. This agreement must be signed by a local government or tribal official and returned to:
Cooperative Purchasing
Property and Supply Bureau
Department of Administration
PO Box 200137
Helena MT 59620-0137
Order From the Term Contracts
Purchases made utilizing a state Term Contract must be placed directly with the contract vendor.
Requisition Time Schedule for Vehicles
Twice per model year, the State of Montana issues bids for passenger cars and light duty trucks (up to 1 ton). Bids are issued once per model year for patrol vehicles. The specific dates for these bids are set and posted on the Requisition Time Schedule (RTS).
Local governments and tribal governments may include their vehicle purchases along with the State's order by submitting the proper request forms by the established deadlines. The State will solicit bids from vendors and notify local governments and tribal governments of the results.
Vehicle orders for the requisition time schedule must be placed with the State Procurement Bureau. For complete information, contact the State Procurement Bureau at (406) 444-2575.
Central Stores Catalog
Orders from the Central Stores Catalog may be placed by contacting the Property and Supply Bureau at (406) 495-6000.
MDOT List of Commodities
Local governments and tribal governments may join the Montana Department of Transportation in purchasing certain commodities. Commodities available for cooperative purchasing are listed below:
- Road oil
- Traffic line paint and glass beads
- Road salt and chemical deicer
- Snowplow wear blades
- Rubberized asphalt
For complete information on how to participate in the purchase of these commodities, contact the Montana Department of Transportation at (406) 444-6365.
