Eight service cooperatives, serving Minnesota and South Dakota, marketed and promoted as the Cooperative Purchasing Connection (CPC), realize that partnered vendors are key to a successful cooperative purchasing program. CPC solicits vendors through a formal Request for Proposal (RFP) and Invitation for Bid (IFB) process. RFPs are conducted and submitted for CPC, while IFBs are conducted and submitted on a national level through our affiliated partnership with the Association of Educational Purchasing Agencies (AEPA).
AEPA is a multi-state (29) nonprofit organization made up of service agencies through a Memorandum of Understanding between all participating states.
To receive email notifications about bid opportunities through CPC, visit our Vendor Registration page. Every vendor is given an equal opportunity to participate in solicitations and bidding procedures.
To receive email notification about bid opportunities through AEPA, visit www.aepacoop.org for more information.
All solicitations conducted and/or awarded by CPC follow the competitive bidding guidelines established according to MN Statute § 123A.21 and MN Statute §471.345 subdivision 15. Members purchasing from these contracts do not need to conduct the competitive bidding process themselves.