Frequently Asked Questions

How does my organization benefit from using a purchasing cooperative like TIPS?

For governmental agencies such as public education organizations, higher education entities, and city or county governments, membership in a purchasing cooperative offers the following benefits:

• Access to competitively procured contracts with quality vendors
• Savings of time and financial resources necessary to fulfill bid requirements
• Assistance with purchasing process by qualified TIPS staff
• Access to pricing based on a “national” high-profile contract

How are TIPS contracts awarded?

The general process to award a TIPS contract to a vendor is as follows:

• TIPS posts an RFP/RFQ for a specific product/service with a deadline date and time for submission of responses
• TIPS advertises the posting of the RFP/RFQ in a manner that meets the state of Texas requirements as well as in additional formats established by TIPS as beneficial to TIPS members including a national advertisement in USA Today
• TIPS collects all incoming proposals until the deadline for submission
• TIPS staff open and record all of the proposals submitted prior to the advertised deadline
• A scoring committee reviews all proposals and scores the proposals based on the criteria established by TIPS (scoring rubric is included in the posted RFP/RFQ documents)
• Vendors receiving at least the minimum score required for award as provided in the solicitation are then presented to the Region 8 ESC Board of Directors at the regular monthly meeting to consider final approval of a TIPS contract to sell the proposed products/services
• The ESC Board of Directors has final approval authority of all awarded vendor contracts

Where are TIPS solicitations advertised?

TIPS solicitations (RFP’s/RFQ’s) are advertised for 2 consecutive weeks in the Pittsburg Gazette in Pittsburg, Texas as well as on a national scope in the USA Today. For solicitations advertised after July 1, 2014, postings are also advertised in The Advocate published in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Who can be a member of TIPS?

The Interlocal Purchasing System currently serves entities such as state and local governments and non-profit organizations, including but not limited to:

How much does it cost to be a member of TIPS?

Membership in The Interlocal Purchasing System is free.

How does my organization become a member of TIPS?

The TIPS website offers step-by-step instructions on how to become a member. The process is fast, and it’s free. It is, however, specific to your home state. Please click on this link to access the membership instructions and documents: https://www.tips-usa.com/membership.cfm

How can my business become an awarded vendor to sell products or services through TIPS?

The only way a vendor can sell products or services through the TIPS cooperative is to be awarded a contract by TIPS. This can only happen when a vendor responds to a TIPS solicitation (RFP/RFQ) for their specific product or service and meets the scoring requirements to receive an awarded contract from the Region 8 ESC Board of Directors (which serves as the governing board of TIPS). For further information, please see question #4 of this FAQ or visit the following link: https://www.tips-usa.com/becomebidder.cfm

I am not from Texas. Does the TIPS purchasing process meet the purchasing requirements of my state?

It is ultimately the responsibility of the purchasing member to ensure that all aspects of a specific purchase meet individual state purchasing laws, rules, and regulations. Please reach out to our legal counsel at legal@tips-usa.com if you have any questions about TIPS' specific processes or procedures.

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