The Iowa League of Cities along with the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO), the National Association of Counties (NACO), the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP), the National League of Cities (NLC), and the United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) sponsors the U.S. Communities Government Purchasing Alliance.

The U.S. Communities program provides all local agencies in the U.S. with publicly competitively bid contracts for various products and services. Cities in Iowa can piggyback on a contract competitively solicited by another public agency, thereby eliminating the need to re-solicit. Through the buying power of large purchasers in the U.S. Communities program cities in Iowa can receive access to excellent pricing and contract terms.

U.S. Communities offers cities:

• Competitively bid contracts by a lead local agency
• Most favorable local agency pricing
• No cost to participate and no minimum purchase
• National sponsorship by leading associations and purchasing organizations
• A broad range of high quality products such as office/school supplies, office furniture, industrial supplies, electrical & data communication supplies, janitorial supplies, computer hardware/software, and procurement card.
• The aggregate purchasing power of public agencies nationwide
• Management by public purchasing professionals

U.S. Communities has added a program called Going Green which will assist cities in getting access to green products, services and resources. In addition to the green contracts, local governments will find a wealth of green information and resources that will help lower your community’s carbon footprint and assist you in making educated decisions about the products your agency purchases. Visit www.gogreencommunities.org to learn more.

For more information, visit www.uscommunities.org or send an e-mail to info@uscommunities.org.