How Public Agencies Make a Purchase Through 1GPA

Updated

Public agencies make a purchase through 1GPA by using an already-awarded public contract instead of running their own solicitation. 1GPA (1Government Procurement Alliance) is a nonprofit national governmental purchasing cooperative that lets public agencies "take advantage of existing public contracts to purchase the goods they need, at the most competitive prices." This route fits K12 school districts, higher education institutions, state and local agencies, nonprofit organizations, and Native American communities — the member groups 1GPA states it currently serves. If your agency falls outside those categories, confirm eligibility with 1GPA before relying on this process.

Who this process is for

1GPA lists its served members as:

  • K12 school districts
  • Higher education institutions
  • State and local agencies
  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Native American communities

The core idea is collective purchasing power: your agency buys against a contract 1GPA has already awarded, rather than issuing and evaluating its own bid.

Step-by-step: making a purchase

1. Confirm the contract you need exists

Go to the Current Contracts/Vendors section of 1gpa.org and search for vendors or the goods you need. 1GPA also highlights Newly Awarded Contracts and a Featured Vendor, which can be a starting point if you are unsure where your category sits.

2. Access the member portal

The site provides Portal Log In and Portal Sign Up options. If your agency is not yet registered, use Portal Sign Up or Join 1GPA to begin. If you already have access, log in to proceed. Note that the site does not state that portal access is free or open without registration — treat sign-up as a required step unless 1GPA tells you otherwise.

3. Review the contract details before committing

For a given contract, 1GPA points you to a due diligence file. The Contract link gives access to:

  • The Contract Due Diligence File
  • The Original Vendor Response
  • Current Pricing
  • Contract Extensions
  • Vendor Point of Contact Details

Check the Contract Expiration date as well — the site notes to "see contract for details," so confirm the current term rather than assuming it is open-ended.

4. Follow the "How to Make a Purchase Through 1GPA" guidance

The homepage includes a dedicated section titled How to Make a Purchase Through 1GPA. Use it as the authoritative walkthrough for the actual purchase mechanics, since the exact steps depend on the specific contract and vendor.

5. Contact the vendor point of contact

Each contract lists a Vendor Point of Contact. Use those details to place or coordinate the order under the awarded contract.

Verifying you are compliant

1GPA maintains a Compliance with 2 CFR Part 200 page. If your agency receives federal funding and must follow Uniform Guidance procurement rules, review that page before purchasing to confirm the cooperative route satisfies your requirements. State-specific rules may also apply — 1GPA publishes a State Statutes section for this reason.

Common sticking points

  • Portal access problems: If you cannot reach the Member Portal or have questions, 1GPA directs you to contact Michelle Aiken at the email listed on the site.
  • Expired or extended contracts: Always check the expiration and any extensions in the contract file; do not assume a listed contract is still current.
  • Eligibility questions: If your organization type is not among the served groups, verify with 1GPA first.
  • Pricing: Current pricing lives inside the contract file. The site does not publish standalone pricing, so pull it from the contract rather than estimating.

Where to go next

  • Current Contracts/Vendors — find and search contracts
  • Solicitations — open opportunities
  • State Statutes and Compliance with 2 CFR Part 200 — confirm your agency can use the contract
  • FAQ and Contact — resolve access or eligibility questions

For direct help, 1GPA lists the phone number 866.306.3893 and the address 1910 W. Washington St. Phoenix, AZ 85009.