What Are GPO Provisions for Higher Education? A Comprehensive Overview
According to the National Association of Educational Procurement (NAEP), as much as 38% of spending in higher education occurs using P-cards. P-cards can help streamline procurement, but they can also lead to the use of unapproved suppliers and non-contract spend—driving up costs and often bypassing compliance and approvals. It’s not surprising. At the department level […]
7 Features to Look for Before Joining a Procurement GPO for Higher Education
Funding concerns. Rising costs. Deferred maintenance. Increased pressure. There’s a long list of challenges that educational institutions face when managing procurement. Balancing the needs of your college or university while also ensuring you meet budget goals can be stressful. Group purchasing organizations (GPOs) for higher education can help. However, each GPO has a slightly different […]
Higher Education Group Purchasing Organization: Top Questions Answered by Experts
Procurement teams today are looking for an edge. Overcoming rising prices, tight budgets, and pressure to lower costs, without sacrificing quality, is a challenge. A higher ed group purchasing organization can help, streamlining procurement and saving you time and money. Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions to help you understand […]
What Makes Higher Education Procurement GPOs Different? A Deep Dive into Their Benefits
It happens all the time. The head of the biology department at a mid-sized university needed to restock lab supplies. Wanting a fast solution, they turned to Amazon, where they could order beakers, pipettes, and cleaning solvents with just a few clicks. The prices seemed reasonable; they knew the brand names, and the free shipping […]
The Top 7 Benefits of Cooperative Sourcing for the Procure-to-Pay Process in Higher Ed
The procure-to-pay (P2P) process in higher education is complex. You need to balance cost efficiency, compliance, supplier diversity, and sustainability requirements. P2P has become especially challenging considering today’s budget constraints and price increases. Cooperative sourcing for higher education offers a streamlined approach to procurement, helping procurement and finance teams stretch their dollars and streamline their […]
A Step-by-Step Guide to the Procurement Process for Higher Ed Sourcing Cooperative Members
The procurement process in higher education can be complex. Procurement and finance teams have to find cost efficiencies, meet a growing list of compliance regulations, and deal with tight budgets—all while making sure their school gets the goods and services it needs without sacrificing quality. A higher ed sourcing cooperative significantly streamlines the procurement process […]
A Guide to Defining Procurement Processes for Higher Ed Sourcing Cooperative Members
Defining the Higher Ed Sourcing Cooperative Higher education sourcing cooperatives are organizations that bring together colleges and universities to leverage their collective purchasing power. They negotiate contracts with suppliers on behalf of their member institutions, securing favorable terms and significant cost savings while streamlining their procurement processes. Sourcing cooperatives provide a range of benefits to […]
Cooperative Sourcing Best Practices: Redefining Procurement for Colleges and Universities
With so much uncertainty about budgets, shrinking enrollment, federal funding, and rising costs, procurement and finance teams have to be more creative than ever in managing costs and acquiring the goods and services colleges and universities need. It may also get harder. There are a series of legislative and regulatory changes that could have serious […]
E&I Cooperative Services Launches EdPro Hub: A Digital Community for Educational Procurement Professionals
Feb 19, 2025 | E&I Cooperative Services Launches EdPro Hub: A Digital Community for Educational Procurement Professionals
What is a Higher Ed Cooperative Agreement? A Comprehensive Look at Their Role in Procurement
Cost-efficiency, streamlined processes, and strategic sourcing. It sounds simple, but putting these practices into action is hard work. Procurement teams in higher education face serious challenges, and it doesn’t appear they’ll get significant help anytime soon. The financial outlook for higher education appears problematic. Moody’s Ratings, S&P Global, and Fitch Ratings all cite significant financial […]
