Joint Purchasing Program Local governments are eligible to purchase thousands of items from state contracts resulting in an average savings of 35 percent off list price. Indirect benefits are realized by reduced administrative time spent conducting the procurement process. To qualify for the program, the local government unit must have been created by statute or have the ability to tax. The governing board of the local government unit must pass a resolution allowing participation in the program. The State of Illinois develops the specifications, conducts the bid process, makes the awards and creates the contracts.
Local governments place orders directly with the vendors.
The program is completely voluntary. Joining the program does not obligate the local government to procure any items off state contracts. Every March, a mailing is sent out listing all contract items available to local governments. Local governments simply check off the contracts they are interested in and the contracts are mailed to those units throughout the year as the contracts are awarded. The local government deals directly with the vendor.