Unlocking Efficiency: Highlights from Our Cooperative Agreements Training Series
Navigating public procurement can feel like a maze, especially when you’re trying to balance efficiency with strict legal compliance. For California community college procurement professionals, this challenge is particularly real. That’s why understanding and effectively using cooperative agreements isn’t just helpful—it’s crucial for streamlining processes and ensuring compliant purchasing practices.
Recognizing this vital need, the CollegeBuys Professional Development Workgroup recently put together an incredibly valuable four-part professional development series. Held from April to June, these sessions were designed to equip procurement pros with practical tools and insights to tackle these challenges head-on.
The series featured the expertise of Angelic Davis, Director of Purchasing, Printing, and Mail Services at Mt. San Antonio Community College District (CCD), who spearheaded the initiative. Working collaboratively with professionals from other districts, CollegeBuys, and Pavilion, the sessions covered essential topics for successful procurement practices, making complex information accessible and actionable.
The series kicked off with Heather DeBlanc, Chair of Liebert Cassidy Whitmore’s Business and Facilities Practice Group. She provided a clear overview of the legal frameworks surrounding cooperative agreements. Alongside Angelic, Heather discussed the distinct advantages and disadvantages, truly emphasizing their significance in procuring goods and services. A key takeaway was the importance of understanding clauses related to early termination, auto-renewal, and general terms, particularly when applying them within community college districts and, crucially, avoiding any conflicts of interest.
Following this foundation, Angelic then led a session focused on mastering cooperative agreements through the effective use of CollegeBuys agreements. Jorge Burwick, Senior Manager, and Adrian Brennan Evans, Contracts and Compliance Associate, provided a comprehensive look at the CollegeBuys program. They covered its authority, the organization’s procurement and contracting policy, and highlighted the vast array of services and goods accessible to all community colleges. A critical point they underscored was the importance of considering the total cost of ownership for long-term value, moving beyond just the initial price tag.
In the third session, Angelic presented alongside Kim Simonds, Purchasing Supervisor at MiraCosta CCD, to emphasize the practical implementation of cooperative agreements in community college procurement. They discussed various agreement types, their benefits, and essential legal compliance requirements. To make things more tangible, Anne Jordan from Pavilion provided a live demonstration of the Pavilion platform, showcasing exactly how it streamlines purchasing and maximizes the use of cooperative contracts. Attendees also learned best practices for reviewing and using these agreements, including proper documentation, engaging stakeholders effectively, and smart strategies for managing price increases and contract amendments.
Concluding the series, Angelic and Kim delved into the broader benefits and challenges of cooperative procurement within educational institutions. Other district professionals shared their strategies for implementing cooperative agreements and addressed common hurdles such as vendor selection and compliance issues. Michael Robins, Executive Director of General Services at West Valley-Mission CCD, presented a compelling case study on a flooring project, serving as a powerful reminder of the risks of owner-furnished materials and the critical need for thorough verification processes. Joe Carbajal, Contracts Manager at Mt. San Antonio CCD, then discussed best practices for obtaining pricing information for University of California contracts and highlighted the strategic advantages of cooperative agreements, including reduced procurement cycles and costs. In the final case study, Kim and Brian Boynton, Buyer at MiraCosta CCD, shared their success story of a collaborative bid for water delivery services that led to significant cost savings—a true testament to the power of cooperation!
This invaluable webinar series has undoubtedly elevated the knowledge and preparedness of California community college procurement professionals across the board. We want to extend our sincere gratitude to the Professional Development Workgroup for their incredible dedication in curating these insightful sessions. A special thank you goes to Angelic Davis for her visionary leadership in bringing this vital project to fruition. And of course, we must commend all the committee members who developed the materials and generously served as guest speakers: Lauren McAnelly, Joe Carbajal, Kim Simonds, Brian Boynton, Ellen Clifford, Danielle Miller, and Michael Robins. Their expertise and willingness to share have truly empowered procurement professionals to navigate the intricate realm of cooperative purchasing with renewed confidence and proficiency.
If you missed the live sessions, you can still access the webinar recordings in the Vision Resource Center (VRC).
