Group Purchasing

Group Purchasing Organizations (GPOs)

The University belongs to several group purchasing organizations that negotiate favorable contracts on behalf of their members. Utilizing participating vendors will usually result in cost savings. The cost savings can be significant so all purchasers should explore purchasing goods and services through these programs.

Please keep in mind the following:

Prices obtained through these GPO programs are usually, but not always, the lowest available. These prices should be considered the “ceiling price” – the highest amount we should pay for a product or service. Selecting one of the participating vendors is not a substitute for exercising due diligence in researching pricing.
Many GPO vendors provide free shipping/freight which could make an overall purchase cheaper even if the individual items are not discounted.
In some cases, Clark has negotiated lower prices than are available through these groups. Please check the purchasing web site or consult the Business Manager.
Don’t assume that vendors participating in these programs are automatically giving you the contracted price. In order to be sure you are getting the discounted rates, you should request the appropriate pricing (COWC, MHEC, E & I). In some cases, vendors have contracts with more than one GPO, in which case you should request both prices and choose the lowest one.

Please contact the Business Manager with any questions you may have regarding any of the group purchasing organizations.

Massachusetts Higher Education Consortium (MHEC)

MHEC is a nonprofit purchasing consortium established in 1977 to function as a buyer’s consortium for the state’s institutions of higher education. MHEC negotiates contractor with vendors on its members behalf. MHEC currently has contracts with over 500 vendors in the categories listed below. Contracts can be viewed at the MHEC website but you must register as a user. Alternatively, you can request contract details from the Business Manager. A list of vendors, and their annual business volume with Clark under the MHEC contract is available for download.

MHEC has negotiated agreements with vendors in the following categories:

AAA Membership
Air & Liquid Filters
Airport Parking
Alcohol, Government Tax Free
Appliances, Air Conditioners and Food Service Equipment
Asset Recovery/Ewaste & Recycling Services
Athletic & Fitness Equipment and Uniforms
Automobile Rentals
Batteries, Replacement & Emergency Lighting
Biological Safety Cabinets and Repair, Cleaning & Certification
Bose Home Audio Products for Educational or Personal Use
Copiers, Digital Duplicators & Fax: Equipment, Supplies & Maintenance
Custodial Cleaning Equipment and Supplies
Delivery Services: Documents & Packages – Domestic & International
Document Destruction Service
Domestic Water Heaters, Boilers & Accessories
Educational Aids/Supplies, Optical Mark Readers/Supplies and Exam Books
Electric Motors, Pumps, Compressors & Controls
Electronic Test Equipment
Employee Training Programs
Energy Management
Facilities Asset Management
Fire Alarm, Clock and Security Device Systems, and Locks
Fire Extinguishers Sales and Service and Grease Exhaust Hood Cleaning
Floor Covering and Installation
Furniture
Furniture: Repair, Reupholster, Remanufactured, Electro Paint
Gases: Compressed, Specialty & Liquid
Graduation Regalia and Accessories
Graphic Arts and Drafting Products
Grounds Maintenance Equipment
Image Filing Systems – Digital & Microfiche
Laboratory Equipment, Chemicals & Repair
Library Supplies
Life Science Products, Specimens, Live Animals and Anatomical Models
Mail Room Equipment & Heavy Duty Paper Shredders
Mattress Covers, Shower/Cubical Curtains & Bed Linens
Mattresses, Box Springs and Metal Frames
MHEC Master Leasing
Moving – Interstate/Intrastate
Multi-Media Equipment
Office Supplies
Paint, Brushes, Tools, & Rollers
Physical Plant Equipment & Supplies
Plumbing Fixture Parts
Procurement Card Program
Promotional Products, Awards & Flags/Banners
Radiation Dosimeters/Dosimetry Services
Radio Communications Equipment & Parts
Recording Charts & Graphs
Recycled Products
Rentals For Events
Safety Products
Signage
Software
Standard Chair
Stationery & Digital Copying Program
Technology
Tektronix- Information Display Products
Uniforms and Occupational Equipment
Window Treatment

Educational and Institutional Cooperative Purchasing (E & I)

Educational & Institutional Cooperative Service, Inc. is a not-for-profit buying cooperative established by members of the National Association of Educational Procurement (NAEP) to provide goods and services to members at the best possible value.

E & I has negotiated agreements with vendors in the following categories:

Athletic Training Supplies
Automotive Parts
Books & Media
Computer Software
Computers & Networking
Electronics & Peripherals
Express Delivery & Freight Furnishings
Furniture Maintenance
Medical Equipment & Supplies
Moving & Relocation
Multimedia Office Equipment & Supplies
Printing
Procurement
Scientific Equipment & Supplies
Services
Travel Services

Download a full listing of the current E&I contracted vendors

More information about E & I and participating vendors can be found at their website – www.eandi.org. To access contract details, please contact the Business Manager.

Colleges of Worcester Consortium (COWC) Joint Purchasing Group

The primary objective of the Consortium Purchasing Group is to establish group purchase agreements for the financial benefit of its members. Through cooperative relationships, the group enables members to make greater use of scarce or limited resources.

The smallest of the purchasing organizations Clark belongs to, the Consortium Purchasing Group primarily negotiates agreements with local vendors. A listing of current agreements is provided below. Please contact the Business Manager or the vendor for more information on specific pricing agreements.

Category	Vendor
Paper Towel/Tissue	Butler Dearden
Electric Lights	Graybar Electric
Electric Lights	Wesco Electric
Copier Paper	W.B. Mason
Envelopes Mead	Westvaco
Office Supplies	W.B. Mason
Office Furniture	W.B. Mason
Typewriter/Fax Service	Typewriter Service
Pagers	UCOM
Appliances	Better Electric
Appliances	Percy’s
Polybags	Butler Dearden
Ice Melt Products	I.C.P.I.
Ice Melt Products	W.B. Mason
Computer Technology	Whalley Computer
Car/Van Rental	Enterprise
Car/Van Rental	Avis/Budget Group
Coffee Service	Caravan Co.
Bottled Water	Polar Beverages
Transportation	Affordable Limo II (Town Car)
Transportation	Worcester Airport Limousine (Airport Shuttle)

Contact Information

Purchasing Office

Office Location

Purchasing Manager
Clark University
950 Main Street
Worcester, MA 01610

1-508-421-7385

office hours

Monday – Friday
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.