Section 4.5424  Group Purchasing Organizations

a)         The CPO-HE or designee may authorize a university or consortium of universities to purchase personal property, supplies and services that have been procured through a competitive process by a:

1)         federal agency;

2)         consortium of governmental, educational, medical research or similar entities; or

3)         group purchasing organizations of which the CPO-HE or university is a member or affiliate, including, without limitation, any purchasing entity operating under the federal General Services Administration, the Higher Education Cooperation Act, and the Midwestern Higher Education Compact Act.

b)         A Group Purchasing Organization contract is one entered into by the entity for itself, on behalf of entities under its jurisdiction or on behalf of the membership of the entity, and in compliance with the purchasing and contracting requirements applicable to the Group Purchasing Organization.  A university is not required to participate in the procurement activity prior to an award.  

c)         Purchases made in this manner are referred to as Group Purchasing Organization purchases. 

d)         Contracts by a university pursuant to a contract resulting from a Group Purchasing Organization activity shall contain all provisions required by Illinois law and this Part, including certifications and disclosures required under Article 50 of the Code.

e)         All procurements conducted by a Group Purchasing Organization shall be conducted as a competitive procurement except:

1)         for small purchases that follow the small purchase process required by Section 20-20 of the Code;

2)         for purchases that follow the sole source process required by Section 20-25 of the Code; or

3)         for purchases that follow the emergency purchase process required by Section 20-30 of the Code.

f)         The CPO-HE or designee shall publish notice of intent to use any Group Purchasing Organization contract to the Bulletin for a minimum of 14 days prior to utilization.  This notice shall contain all information required in Section 4.1525(d) of this Part.

g)         All proposed Group Purchasing Organization contracts must be submitted to the CPO-HE or designee for review and approval prior to utilization.

(Source:  Added at 43 Ill. Reg. 1781, effective February 15, 2019)