Cooperative Procurement is for Services Too
We’ve finally made it — the last major trend I picked up during the Fall 2025 conference season. Today we’re turning our attention to cooperative procurement, and how more and more organizations are realizing that Co-Ops can be used for services, not just for commodities and products.
We have been strong proponents of cooperative procurement for nearly a decade. Roth IAMS was awarded our first cooperative contract in 2017 through OECM, which we still hold today for Facility Condition Assessments (FCAs). In 2020, we added a second OECM contract for Capital Asset Management Software. Then in 2021, we added Sourcewell and Canoe contracts for Facility Assessment and Planning Services, covering all the services we offer across North America. We renewed these contracts in 2025 and are pleased to bring them to the market through 2029.
When we first introduced our Co-Op contracts, one of the most common things we heard was: “I didn’t know Co-Ops could be used for services. I thought they were just for products.”
It’s true that Co-Ops originated in the commodity space, and there are still a tremendous number of product-based contracts available. But Co-Ops have expanded significantly over the years to include a wide variety of services — and in many cases, even construction.
Throughout the Fall conference season, I was pleased to hear fewer and fewer people express surprise that services like ours can be procured through Co-Ops. The message seems to be getting through. Rarely do I need to “sell” the idea of using a Co-Op anymore. Instead, the conversation is now focused on determining whether we’re the right fit for the client’s current needs.
We’ve also noticed a meaningful increase in inbound inquiries coming directly through our Co-Op contracts. That tells me people are beginning to actively seek out Co-Op options without needing to be coaxed in that direction.
If you are a public sector entity anywhere in the U.S. or Canada and you’re not taking advantage of Co-Ops, I highly recommend you do. The organizers behind these programs have done all the heavy lifting to ensure compliance with public procurement requirements and trade legislation. Co-Ops can streamline your internal processes and help you remain nimble in an ever-accelerating business environment.
Beyond that, the buying power of a Co-Op often results in better pricing than what most organizations could achieve on their own — whether for services, software, products, or construction.
If you’re interested in learning more about Co-Op contracts in general, I suggest starting with the National Co-Operative Procurement Partnership (NCPP) NCPP is the industry association for Co-Ops and Co-Op contract holders. It’s a great resource for learning what Co-Ops are, how they work, and how to determine which programs are the best fit for your organization.
For those of you who already rely on Co-Op contracts, hopefully this was a helpful refresher. And for those who are newer to the concept, I hope it piqued your interest and encourages you to explore further.
We have one more post in this series coming next week — a summary and wrap-up of everything we discussed. See you then!
