Cooperative Agreements
Simplified Procurement
Save money, time, and resources with Cooperative Agreements for your Education, Healthcare, Government, and Nonprofit projects.
What are Cooperative Agreements?
Cooperative purchasing agreements, such as OMNIA Partners, are pre-negotiated contracts that allow organizations to purchase products and services at competitive, compliant pricing without conducting their own lengthy bid process. They are structured to meet public-sector and nonprofit procurement requirements while streamlining purchasing, reducing administrative burden, and accelerating project timelines. These agreements provide access to vetted vendors and standardized terms, offering both efficiency and cost transparency. Contact us today to learn more.
Utilizing Omnia: Frequently Asked Questions From Procurement
1
Who is OMNIA Partners?
- A team of tenured, certified public procurement professionals, supply chain, and cooperative purchasing experts that is committed to bringing value to agencies nationwide
- One of the largest contract portfolios, allowing public agencies to receive a combined buying power regardless of entity size
2
What is the award?
- Competitively solicited and publicly awarded by a government entity (e.g. state, city, county, educational institution/system)
- Discounts on thousands of products and/or services as outlined in the awards
- Offered to participating agencies nationwide through OMNIA Partners
3
Who are the awarded suppliers?
- OMNIA Partners has the most robust portfolio of quality cooperative contracts in the purchasing space, featuring hundreds of best-in-class national suppliers
- To view all contracts, visit omniapartners.com/solutions/contract-offerings
4
Why is it beneficial to me?
- You do not have to go to bid to purchase products and services
- The RFP has already been completed so that you can “piggyback” on the award
- National aggregate prices result in cost savings
- Customized solutions to meet your individual needs and requirements
- No costs or fees to participate
5
Can I use the program without going out for solicitation?
Yes, all cooperative contracts available through OMNIA Partners are awarded by a lead public agency, using a competitive solicitation process consistent with applicable procurement laws and regulations
6
How was the contract awarded and how can I use it without going through a solicitation process?
The lead agency publicly awarded the contract via a competitive solicitation and thorough RFP process
7
How can I get copies of the solicitation/award documentation including the RFP, response, award, and pricing?
All documentation is available at any time on all supplier dedicated pages
8
How do I know if I am eligible?
Agencies eligible to participate are states, cities, counties, municipalities, educational institutions, nonprofits, utility districts, churches and any other entity that exists for the public good
Government Contracts
Our team uses our Packaged Office Contract to implement GSA furniture standards across offices nationwide. Our commitment to providing the best solutions at the best prices can be seen throughout our long history with government clients.
CI Select WOSB GSA Packaged Office Contract
October 1, 2019 – September 30, 2029
MillerKnoll IMMSS Contract
Integrated Modular Medical Support System for the worldwide U.S. Army Medical Facilities.
OMNIA State & Local Purchasing Coop
MillerKnoll – State of Missouri Contract
VA IDIQ Program
Participating MillerKnoll Dealer for the St. Louis Region (working with JPL, SDV and GovSolutions).
St. Louis U.S. Army Corp of Engineers Furniture BPA
AbilityOne BSC
CI Select partners with Beyond Vision.
Education: Why Cooperative Purchasing Contracts Exist for School District Furniture Purchases
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To Save Time & Avoid Lengthy Bidding Processes
Public school districts must follow strict procurement rules.
Traditional competitive bidding can take months and requires:
- Writing detailed bid specs
- Advertising the bid
- Handling vendor questions
- Reviewing submissions
- Awarding contracts
Cooperative contracts let districts skip the formal bid process because the cooperative has already competitively bid and awarded the contract on behalf of its members.
This means districts can purchase furniture immediately, without risking a bid protest.
2
To Ensure Legal Compliance & Transparency
Co-ops conduct formal, legally compliant competitive bids that meet:
- State procurement statutes
- Local government requirements
- Federal guidelines (if needed)
This protects school districts from:
- Improper bidding challenges
- Vendor protests
- Audit issues
Districts can confidently purchase knowing the contract is pre-bid, compliant, and auditable.
3
To Provide Best Pricing Through Volume Discounts
Cooperatives combine the purchasing power of:
- Thousands of school districts
- Cities and counties
- Universities
- State agencies
This gives them far greater buying leverage than any single school district.
As a result, manufacturers offer:
- Deeper discounts
- Better freight deals
- Stable pricing
Districts get pricing they could not negotiate on their own.
4
To Simplify Complex Furniture Purchases
Furniture procurement isn’t simple:
- Hundreds of SKUs
- Finish and fabric options
- Technical layout requirements
- Installation costs
- Design and project management
Cooperative contracts allow manufacturers and dealers to support districts with:
- Space planning
- Design services
- On-site evaluations
- Warranty support
- Installation coordination
All under a contract that has pre-set margins and discounting, so the district knows they’re not being overcharged.
5
To Ensure Apples-to-Apples Purchasing
Traditional bidding often fails with furniture because:
- Products aren’t interchangeable
- Each manufacturer has different patents, features, and specs
- Vendors may substitute lower-quality items
- Pricing structures vary widely
Cooperative contracts avoid this by:
- Allowing the district to choose the exact brand and product line they want
- Ensuring pricing is locked in and verified
- Removing the incentive for vendors to “game the bid”
6
To Reduce Risk for the School District
Using a cooperative contract:
- Eliminates low-bid/low-quality problems
- Ensures known, vetted vendors
- Provides consistent warranty and service
- Protects against inconsistent product substitutions
Districts get predictable results, which is critical when furnishing classrooms, libraries, and administrative areas.
7
To Improve Project Coordination
Large school furniture projects require:
- Project managers
- Install scheduling
- Coordination with GCs and architects
- Phased deliveries
Cooperative contracts allow districts to work directly with trusted, pre-approved vendors who can handle the full project — not a low-bid dealer with little experience.
8
How do I know if I am eligible?
Agencies eligible to participate are states, cities, counties, municipalities, educational institutions, nonprofits, utility districts, churches and any other entity that exists for the public good