The Co-op Contracts program connects eligible customers with vendors offering deep discounts on technology products and services. All of our contracts have been competitively bid in compliance with Texas state requirements, so you don’t have to issue your own solicitation. Pricing applies to all eligible public entities, regardless of the size of your office or quantity of your order. Customers may further negotiate better pricing for volume purchases and otherwise tailor the purchase through customized statements of work and service level agreements, according to individual customer needs, budgets, and projects.

Your purchasing process is simple: 

STEP 1: IDENTIFY YOUR TECHNOLOGY NEED
Identify your technology needs by product type, brand name, vendor name, or commodity code.

STEP 2: SEARCH PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
There are multiple ways to find the items you need using our products and services search. Each search will result in available contract vehicles, if any, and include expaning menus of available products and services, brands, vendors/resellers, if any, and HUBs, on the left side of the page.

1. Search by keyword. The keyword search is located on the right side of the page. You can enter any contract number, product type, subtype, vendor, brand, or HUB type in this field.  The search will retrieve all contract records that match your query.  A partial search term followed by an asterisk (For example, tele*) may also be used.  Click “Go” to search.
2. Search by contract number. The contract number search is located on the right side of the page just below the keyword search. You can enter any contract number and the search will pull up the contract records that match your query. A search for either “DIR-SDD-1234” or simply “1234” will retrieve the contract documents. Click “Go” to search.
3. Search by product type. Click on any of the available product types by icon. All product subtypes, vendors, brands, and contract numbers that match your query will be returned in your search results. Click “Go” to search.
4. Search by IT commodity code. This search is located at the bottom of the search page. Make a selection from the commodity class code drop down menu, and then filter your search results by item number.  The search will retrieve contracts associated with that class and item commodity code. Click “Go” to search.

State Agencies only – If your search produces results, you are required to purchase through the DIR contracts listed or obtain an exemption to purchase outside of the Co-op Contracts program.

Please reference the IT Commodity Guidelines for the exemption request form, a list of DIR’s blanket exemptions, and more information.

STEP 3: ORDER 
Each contract page contains vendor contact information, contract terms and conditions, a list of approved resellers (if any), and ordering instructions. You will work directly with the vendor to finalize your purchase. Request a quote and then issue your purchase order directly to the vendor. When you receive the invoice from the vendor, pay the vendor directly. 

Resources:
We have recently improved our technology products and services search tool to streamline the purchasing process. Check out the new features and updates on our tutorial.

Please consult the DIR Co-op Contract contact list if you have additional questions.