About EPCNT

WHO ARE WE

The Educational Purchasing Cooperative of North Texas (EPCNT) became a reality in 2002. An effort by North Texas public school districts with a vision of cooperating together to improve their procurement power on like products and services.

EPCNT is a Purchasing Cooperative organized under Chapter 271.101 of the Texas Local Government Code, and Education Service Center, Region 11 is the fiscal agent for this cooperative. Members are entities that reside within the geographical boundaries of Region 10 and Region 11 as defined by the Texas Education Agency. All members must have executed the necessary Interlocal Agreement and must be current with their annual dues. While EPCNT is a Purchasing Cooperative, there is no agency that functions as the administrator for this cooperative. Instead, EPCNT is a "Contract Sharing" cooperative and not an administrative cooperative.

Each eligible contract used under the EPCNT umbrella is issued and awarded by one of its members. Inclusive language accepted and agreed to by each awarded vendor is what allows contracts to be shared within the legal bounds of this purchasing cooperative. Procurement law compliance is a component of each individual purchase contract and not with EPCNT itself since there is no administrative board, body, or agency that operates the EPCNT. To obtain compliance documentation, it will be necessary to contact the awarding district.

BENEFITS & ADVANTAGES

• Participating entities avoid the cost and time of going through the competitive process.
• Most contracts are awarded on an annual basis, and renewed for multiple year periods
• For the term of each contract, entities may purchase goods and services from awarded vendors whenever the need arises.
• Lower pricing on combined coop requirements for like commodities and services.
• More vendors to choose from when utilizing coop or member district bids.
• Local training from TASBO and other purchasing organizations.
• Increase network of public-school purchasing entities.
• Low-cost membership dues.
• No participation fee to vendors so no markup on pricing to districts.

• Vendors save time and effort of going through the competitive process for each individual participating entity.
• Vendors do not have to pay a participation fee.

FEES AND EXPENSES

An annual fee of $100.00 shall be charged or assessed Members and other Participants for participation in this Agreement effective on September 1 of each year. Membership dues have been temporarily paused for the 2023 and 2024 calendar.

AUTHORITY

EPCNT is based on the authority contained in the Interlocal Cooperation Act, Texas Government Code Section 791 et seq. and in Subchapter F, of Chapter 271 of the Texas Local Government Code. The provisions of Chapter 791 of the Texas Government Code, and the provisions of Subchapter F, of Chapter 271 of the Texas Local Government Code, are incorporated in this Master Agreement and this Master Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with those laws.

DUTIES OF THE MEMBERS

• The members agree to undertake the following, from time to time, as may be appropriate:Coordinate and host multi-governmental entity solicitations for the purchase of goods and services from third-party vendors, as may be determined from time to time to be cost-effective and provide efficiencies as consolidated purchases.
• Make available specifications, documents, software, procedures, and related items in connection with bidding and purchasing processes.
• Actively participate in and provide support to meetings and other activities conducted by the EPCNT.
• Maintain as confidential, subject to the Texas Public Information Act, information supplied by Parties to the EPCNT and deemed by the EPCNT to be confidential.

PURCHASING AUTHORITY

All district or cross-district contracts for the purchase of goods and services regardless of whether formed as a result of EPCNT activity or interaction shall be directly between the Members or Participants or combinations of the Parties and Vendors providing goods and services to the associated governmental entities.

The EPCNT in and of itself, shall not have any authority to make purchases of goods and services directly with vendors or contractually bind its Members or Participants to any third-party agreements (except for the Interlocal Participation Agreement described above) for the purchase of products and services.

Governing Law

The Master Agreement and all actions taken pursuant to this Master Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Texas respecting independent school districts. Members specifically elect to be governed by the laws regarding purchasing found in Chapter 44 of the Texas Education Code and Federal regulations found in 2 CFR 200 and Texas Department of Agriculture ARM Section 17 as amended as well as any other applicable statute or regulation. All actions of this alliance shall be governed by the laws of the State of Texas and venue for any litigation regarding this Agreement or the Parties hereto shall be in Tarrant County, Texas.

EPCNT Educational Purchasing Cooperative of North Texas. © 2023

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