Group Purchasing Organizations (GPOs)
The University belongs to several group purchasing organizations that negotiate favorable contracts on behalf of their members. Utilizing participating vendors will usually result in cost savings. The cost savings can be significant so all purchasers should explore purchasing goods and services through these programs.
Please keep in mind the following:
- Prices obtained through these GPO programs are usually, but not always, the lowest available. These prices should be considered the “ceiling price” – the highest amount we should pay for a product or service. Selecting one of the participating vendors is not a substitute for exercising due diligence in researching pricing.
- Many GPO vendors provide free shipping/freight which could make an overall purchase cheaper even if the individual items are not discounted.
- In some cases, Clark has negotiated lower prices than are available through these groups. Please check the purchasing web site or consult the Business Manager.
- Don’t assume that vendors participating in these programs are automatically giving you the contracted price. In order to be sure you are getting the discounted rates, you should request the appropriate pricing (COWC, MHEC, E & I). In some cases, vendors have contracts with more than one GPO, in which case you should request both prices and choose the lowest one.
Please contact the Business Manager with any questions you may have regarding any of the group purchasing organizations.
MHEC is a nonprofit purchasing consortium established in 1977 to function as a buyer’s consortium for the state’s institutions of higher education. MHEC negotiates contractor with vendors on its members behalf. MHEC currently has contracts with over 500 vendors in the categories listed below. Contracts can be viewed at the MHEC website but you must register as a user. Alternatively, you can request contract details from the Business Manager. A list of vendors, and their annual business volume with Clark under the MHEC contract is available for download.
MHEC has negotiated agreements with vendors in the following categories:
- AAA Membership
- Air & Liquid Filters
- Airport Parking
- Alcohol, Government Tax Free
- Appliances, Air Conditioners and Food Service Equipment
- Asset Recovery/Ewaste & Recycling Services
- Athletic & Fitness Equipment and Uniforms
- Automobile Rentals
- Batteries, Replacement & Emergency Lighting
- Biological Safety Cabinets and Repair, Cleaning & Certification
- Bose Home Audio Products for Educational or Personal Use
- Copiers, Digital Duplicators & Fax: Equipment, Supplies & Maintenance
- Custodial Cleaning Equipment and Supplies
- Delivery Services: Documents & Packages – Domestic & International
- Document Destruction Service
- Domestic Water Heaters, Boilers & Accessories
- Educational Aids/Supplies, Optical Mark Readers/Supplies and Exam Books
- Electric Motors, Pumps, Compressors & Controls
- Electronic Test Equipment
- Employee Training Programs
- Energy Management
- Facilities Asset Management
- Fire Alarm, Clock and Security Device Systems, and Locks
- Fire Extinguishers Sales and Service and Grease Exhaust Hood Cleaning
- Floor Covering and Installation
- Furniture
- Furniture: Repair, Reupholster, Remanufactured, Electro Paint
- Gases: Compressed, Specialty & Liquid
- Graduation Regalia and Accessories
- Graphic Arts and Drafting Products
- Grounds Maintenance Equipment
- Image Filing Systems – Digital & Microfiche
- Laboratory Equipment, Chemicals & Repair
- Library Supplies
- Life Science Products, Specimens, Live Animals and Anatomical Models
- Mail Room Equipment & Heavy Duty Paper Shredders
- Mattress Covers, Shower/Cubical Curtains & Bed Linens
- Mattresses, Box Springs and Metal Frames
- MHEC Master Leasing
- Moving – Interstate/Intrastate
- Multi-Media Equipment
- Office Supplies
- Paint, Brushes, Tools, & Rollers
- Physical Plant Equipment & Supplies
- Plumbing Fixture Parts
- Procurement Card Program
- Promotional Products, Awards & Flags/Banners
- Radiation Dosimeters/Dosimetry Services
- Radio Communications Equipment & Parts
- Recording Charts & Graphs
- Recycled Products
- Rentals For Events
- Safety Products
- Signage
- Software
- Standard Chair
- Stationery & Digital Copying Program
- Technology
- Tektronix- Information Display Products
- Uniforms and Occupational Equipment
- Window Treatment
Educational & Institutional Cooperative Service, Inc. is a not-for-profit buying cooperative established by members of the National Association of Educational Procurement (NAEP) to provide goods and services to members at the best possible value.
E & I has negotiated agreements with vendors in the following categories:
- Athletic Training Supplies
- Automotive Parts
- Books & Media
- Computer Software
- Computers & Networking
- Electronics & Peripherals
- Express Delivery & Freight Furnishings
- Furniture Maintenance
- Medical Equipment & Supplies
- Moving & Relocation
- Multimedia Office Equipment & Supplies
- Printing
- Procurement
- Scientific Equipment & Supplies
- Services
- Travel Services
Download a full listing of the current E & I contracted vendors
More information about E & I and participating vendors can be found at their website – www.eandi.org. To access contract details, please contact the Business Manager.
The primary objective of the Consortium Purchasing Group is to establish group purchase agreements for the financial benefit of its members. Through cooperative relationships, the group enables members to make greater use of scarce or limited resources.
The smallest of the purchasing organizations Clark belongs to, the Consortium Purchasing Group primarily negotiates agreements with local vendors. A listing of current agreements is provided below. Please contact the Business Manager or the vendor for more information on specific pricing agreements.
| Category | Vendor |
|---|---|
| Paper Towel/Tissue | Butler Dearden |
| Electric Lights | Graybar Electric |
| Electric Lights | Wesco Electric |
| Copier Paper | W.B. Mason |
| Envelopes Mead | Westvaco |
| Office Supplies | W.B. Mason |
| Office Furniture | W.B. Mason |
| Typewriter/Fax Service | Typewriter Service |
| Pagers | UCOM |
| Appliances | Better Electric |
| Appliances | Percy’s |
| Polybags | Butler Dearden |
| Ice Melt Products | I.C.P.I. |
| Ice Melt Products | W.B. Mason |
| Computer Technology | Whalley Computer |
| Car/Van Rental | Enterprise |
| Car/Van Rental | Avis/Budget Group |
| Coffee Service | Caravan Co. |
| Bottled Water | Polar Beverages |
| Transportation | Affordable Limo II (Town Car) |
| Transportation | Worcester Airport Limousine (Airport Shuttle) |