New Cooperative Ideas

1. New Cooperative Ideas Steve Berg SD Office of Procurement Management

2. Cooperative pearls of wisdom: “The biggest issue is to focus on the volume and the pain factor.” ~Paul Stembler, date unknown

3. Data is our biggest missing link. Most of us do not have a very good sense of “what are the top 50 items the state purchases (both dollars & volume)?” We have some guesses, but generally few facts. Good cooperative candidates are identified by understanding those purchasing habits and using them to create leverage.

4. Questions to ask when considering a cooperative contract: • What items do you purchase at a high volume? • Are other States purchasing similar items? • What do you buy that is manufactured outside your state? (Cooperatives work very well with commodities that have local dealers, but are not locally produced.)

5. What do you hate to buy the most? (These items might be handled as a cooperative; for instance, you have a local vendor that always protests.) • Are you purchasing things that cities, counties and school districts are also purchasing?(If you have the authority, putting some of these items on cooperative contracts should drive down prices and drive up the State’s standing with local governments.)

6. BRAINSTORMING SESSION Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world! -Joel Arthur Barker

7. The Cooperative Development Team is available to assist you and provide guidance as needed. Paul Stembler pstembler@amrms.com Doug Richins drichins@amrms.com Kate Offerdahl kofferdahl@amrms.com Richard Carlson rcarlson@amrms.com Lee Ann Pope lpope@amrms.com