1. TIPS/TAPS Purchasing Systems

2. TIPS/TAPS History Started in Region 8 in 2003 with 32 members Original Name – Texas Interlocal Purchasing System Expanded to Arkansas in 2005 (TAPS) Expanded to Missouri in 2006 (Changed name to The Interlocal Purchasing System) Added the state of Oklahoma in 2007 Today’s membership – 1661 entities from 39 states

3. What is TIPS/TAPS? What is TIPS/TAPS? The Interlocal Purchasing System and The Arkansas Purchasing System is sponsored by the Region VIII Education Service Center (ESC8) and is located in Mt. Pleasant, Texas. TIPS/TAPS is available for use by all public and private schools, colleges, universities, cities, counties, and other government entities.

4. What is TIPS/TAPS? What is TIPS/TAPS? Vendors with TIPS/TAPS competitively awarded contracts have agreed to provide the best pricing, terms and conditions available to similar customers. Vendors and participating entities both benefit. The participating entity avoids the time and expense of going through the bidding process.

5. What is TIPS/TAPS? What is TIPS/TAPS? If a vendor is successful competing for a TIPS/TAPS contract, the vendor can avoid the time and expense of going through the competitive bidding process for each individual participating entity.

6. What is the purpose of TIPS/TAPS? What is the purpose of TIPS/TAPS? Provide school districts and other governmental entities opportunities for greater efficiency and economy in acquiring goods and services. Take advantage of cooperative purchasing procedures that insure the most competitive contracts. Equalize purchasing power for smaller entities that are not able to command the best contracts for themselves.

7. What is the purpose of TIPS/TAPS? What is the purpose of TIPS/TAPS? Provide competitive price solicitation and bulk purchasing for multiple government entities that yields economic benefits unobtainable by individual entities. Provide quick and efficient delivery of goods and services by contracting with "high performance" vendors.

8. What is the purpose of TIPS/TAPS? What is the purpose of TIPS/TAPS? Maintain credibility and confidence in business procedures by maintaining open competition for purchases and by complying with purchasing laws and ethical business practices.

9. What commodities are available to members? HVAC (Carrier, Texas Air Systems, Kim Neal & Associates Computer Equipment (CDW-G, CDI Computers) Sports Facility Lighting (MUSCO Sports Lighting) Roofing (Parsons, Freedom, DK Haney) Instructional Furniture (MISSCO) Audio Video Equipment (Video Reality, B&H Photo Video Pro-Audio) Trades, Temporary Labor and Materials (CAS Companies) Surveillance (KLC Video Security) Other Top Categories: Energy Professional Services, Refurbished Computers, Software

10. How does a government entity join? The school district or other government entity signs an Interlocal Agreement and a Board Resolution with Region VIII E.S.C. http://www.tips-usa.com/membership.cfm

11. What is the cost to join? What is the cost to join? TIPS does not charge any membership fees for participating entities. The total cost of the TIPS/TAPS program is funded through a fee paid by the participating vendors that is based on actual sales.

12. TIPS/TAPS Contact Information (866) 839-8477 TIPS/TAPS Contact Information (866) 839-8477 Dr. Ray Glynn ESC 8 Executive Director (903) 575-2601 rglynn@reg8.net Karen Whitaker ESC 8 Deputy Executive Director (903) 575-2715 kwhitaker@reg8.net Kim Thompson TIPS Coordinator (903) 575-2608 kthompson@reg8.net