COOPERATIVE CONTRACTS USED BY THE STATE OF DELAWARE

Delaware Code Title 29 § 6933 allows that the Section may participate in, sponsor, conduct or administer a cooperative purchasing agreement for the procurement of materiel or nonprofessional services with 1 or more public procurement units either within the State or with another state in accordance with an agreement entered into between the participants.

The State of Delaware is a member of the National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO). NASPO was formally established on January 29, 1947. In addition, the Western States Contracting Alliance (WSCA) was formed in October 1993 by the state purchasing directors from fifteen NASPO western states. The primary purpose of creating NASPO/WSCA was to establish the means by which participating states may join together in cooperative multi-State contracting.

NASPO/WSCA Cooperative Contracts use a "lead state" model to carefully ensure open, competitive cooperative contracts. The lead state owns and manages the contract. NASPO/WSCA Cooperative Contracts have been awarded by a competitive solicitation process, usually an RFP, to all contracted vendors in compliance with the lead state's statutory requirements.