Procurement at LTC Purchasing Program
Cooperative Purchasing
LTC Purchasing Program offers Illinois PK-12 schools and other eligible educational entities the advantage of saving time and money on technology-related product and service purchases. By combining the purchasing power of Illinois schools, we are able to offer competitive pricing. Additionally, we save you time by handling the RFP process on your behalf. Currently serving over 1,000 school districts, private schools, and educational service agencies, LTC Purchasing Program represents more than 2 million students and staff across Illinois.
Solicitation Process
LTC Purchasing Program contracts are either sole-source agreements or competitively bid contracts.
Sole-Source Agreements
Sole-Source Agreements start with a nomination from LTC Purchasing Program members, or when a potential partner submits the LTC Purchasing Program Partner Applications. Nominations and applications are reviewed by LTC Purchasing Program members, and if approved, the LTC Purchasing Program Purchasing Coordinator works with the vendor to develop contractual terms beneficial to LTC Purchasing Program members and the vendor. The LTC Purchasing Program conducts quarterly reviews of vendor applications, prioritizing partners that align with LTC Purchasing Program’s mission, provide competitive pricing, have a footprint in Illinois, and have been in business for 5+ years.
Competitively Bid Contracts
Competitively bid contracts adhere to a strict procurement process managed by the Association of Educational Purchasing Agencies (AEPA). Similarly, our sole source contracts undergo a rigorous process that includes reference checks and input from our members.
Using LTC Purchasing Program Contracts
Follow these steps to begin using LTC Purchasing Program contracts.
Step 1: Register for LTC Account and Enable Membership
LTC Purchasing Program Membership requires an LTC account. Register for an LTC account here and then enable LTC Purchasing Program membership. LTC Accounts are free, and all Illinois education organizations are eligible for LTC Purchasing Program membership.
Step 2: View Contract Details
View high-level contract information and explore contracts, or log into our Marketplace for more details. Follow the directions specific to each contract, and if you have questions, please contact us at LTC Purchasing Program@ltcillinois.org.
Step 3: Request a Quote (Optional)
LTC Purchasing Program provides an optional free quote service to all members. We work with multiple vendors to identify options based on your criteria, allowing you to select the best vendor to meet your unique needs. Request a quote →
Step 4. Purchase and Mention LTC Purchasing Program
During the purchasing process, please mention that this is an LTC Purchasing Program contract. Some vendors require the use of the contract number, and all details are available on the “How to Order” section of the contract page.