As all TIPS Members and Suppliers will attest, the reasons why schools, municipalities, universities and non-profits across the United States use a cooperative contract are to save time, save money and procure the solution(s) that they want in a compliant manner.

With all of the cooperative contract solutions available, the question is often times asked, why TIPS? To answer this question, we have put together our top reasons (or differentiators) to use TIPS as your Cooperative. 

Why TIPS?

1. 1. A Team that is 100% dedicated to supporting the construction contracts of TIPS.  The TIPS Construction Team is there to support both Member Agencies with any questions that they may have in purchasing labor solution contracts AND Supplier Partners looking to be more effective in their cooperative selling efforts.

1. 2. Investment in Associations to assist in championing the message of cooperative purchasing and staying in tune with legislative topics related to cooperatives.  See our Partnership with National Cooperative Procurement Partners (NCPP), the Professional Association for Cooperative Procurement.

1. 3. An E-Marketplace that makes it easier for Members to purchase compliant competed solutions and provides Suppliers more exposure and access inside the walls of each Member we serve.

1. 4. Connecting Buyers and Suppliers with Portals.  Our Vendor and Member Portals provide a wealth of information.  We also have other platforms to help make connections.

1. 5. A Director of Business Development that has over 24 years of experience.  Meredith Barton has returned to TIPS in this role and is poised to add yet another layer as to why Members will want to work with TIPS on their construction related initiatives.  She will be putting into place new processes, offering training to both Members and Suppliers and assisting in continuous business and purchasing improvement for all partnerships. TIPS Construction is reinvesting Admin fees that are paid via our contracts back into the business to help ensure an even greater Member experience.

1. 6. A Compliance Program to ensure TIPS Contract Pricing continues to be enhanced.  Gene Hawk is the Construction Compliance Manager with 30+ years of experience in construction and compliant contracts.  As a Member Agency, when you send your construction contract (or PO) to compliance@tipsconstruction.com OR tipspo@tips-usa.com prior to giving it to the Supplier, TIPS will request from the Supplier the appropriate and acceptable line-item pricing so we can verify that the project is complaint with their TIPS Contract.

1. 7. Attendance at targeted National and Regional Shows.  At the recent NIGP show in Boston, TIPS was one of only 3 national cooperatives that had a “section of suppliers”.  TIPS had two booths, including a Construction Contract Booth!  Additionally, we are present at targeted regional trade shows across the country.

1. 8. Rebate Programs.  Our strategic rebate programs are another way that we give back to agencies/associations that promote our cooperative contracts.

1. 9. Program Managers.  We have one of the largest teams of Program Managers working regionally in the areas that they cover, meeting with Members and Suppliers and providing them with TIPS Cooperative guidance.

Hopefully this  list answers any “why TIPS” questions you may have, showcases how we are different, and, most importantly, motives you to consider using TIPS Contracts to purchase and sell in the future. 

If you have any questions about any of these, please feel free to reach out direct to us at info@tipsconstruction.com.