What Is 1GPA and Who Can Use It?

Updated

1GPA (1Government Procurement Alliance) is a nonprofit national governmental purchasing cooperative. It lets public agencies buy goods through existing, already-awarded public contracts instead of running their own solicitation, with the stated aim of getting the most competitive prices. It is open to K12 school districts, higher education institutions, state and local agencies, nonprofit organizations, and Native American communities.

How cooperative purchasing through 1GPA works

A purchasing cooperative aggregates demand. One agency (or the cooperative itself) runs a competitive solicitation, awards a contract, and then other eligible agencies can "piggyback" on that contract to make their own purchases. That is the mechanism 1GPA describes: public agencies "take advantage of existing public contracts to purchase the goods they need."

The practical effect is that a member agency can skip the time and cost of a full solicitation for covered goods, while still buying under a competitively awarded contract.

Who can use 1GPA

According to 1GPA, it currently serves:

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

If your organization falls outside these categories, the site does not indicate that you are eligible to purchase through its contracts.

What you can do on the site

Task Where it lives
Browse current contracts and vendors Current Contracts/Vendors
See newly awarded contracts Newly Awarded Contracts
Find solicitations Solicitations
Register as a vendor Vendor Registration
Access member purchasing Portal Log In / Portal Sign Up
Check state-specific rules State Statutes
Review 2 CFR Part 200 compliance Compliance with 2 CFR Part 200

The homepage also includes a vendor search and a "How to Make a Purchase Through 1GPA" walkthrough.

Making a purchase: the general path

  1. Confirm your organization is an eligible member type (see list above).
  2. Sign up or log in to the member portal.
  3. Search current contracts/vendors for the goods you need.
  4. Verify the contract covers your use and check its expiration — 1GPA notes contract expiration details are in the contract itself.
  5. For due diligence, the contract page links to the Contract Due Diligence File, Original Vendor Response, Current Pricing, Contract Extensions, and Vendor Point of Contact details.
  6. Follow the contract's ordering process with the vendor.

Common sticking points

  • Contract expiration. 1GPA explicitly says to see the contract for expiration details, so confirm the contract is still active before you rely on it.
  • Portal access. If you have trouble with the Member Portal, 1GPA directs users to contact Michelle Aiken for assistance.
  • Compliance. 1GPA publishes a page on compliance with 2 CFR Part 200, which matters for entities using federal funds. Check it against your own funding rules.
  • State rules. Purchasing cooperatives are governed by state statutes; 1GPA hosts a State Statutes page so you can check your state's position.

Vendor vs. member

These are two different roles. Vendors register to be considered for contracts; members (the eligible agencies above) use the portal to buy through awarded contracts. If you are a supplier, start with Vendor Registration. If you are a public agency or eligible nonprofit, start with Portal Sign Up.

For direct questions, 1GPA lists 866.306.3893 and 1910 W. Washington St. Phoenix, AZ 85009.