copurchasing
Copurchasing, or cooperative purchasing, is a procurement practice in which two or more organizations coordinate their purchasing of goods or services to leverage combined buying power. The goal is to obtain lower prices, better contract terms, and more efficient processes, while spreading administrative costs across participants. Copurchasing is common in government, education, healthcare, and nonprofit sectors. It often takes place through cooperative purchasing organizations or intergovernmental agreements, as well as through shared procurement platforms and joint requests for proposals (RFPs).
In practice, participating entities align requirements, issue a single or joint RFP, evaluate bids, and enter
Challenges include aligning diverse needs, which can complicate specifications and extend procurement timelines. Governance and accountability
Legal and regulatory frameworks in many jurisdictions recognize and regulate cooperative purchasing under public procurement laws.