Category: Resources

A Guide to Defining Procurement Processes for Higher Ed Sourcing Cooperative Members

Defining the Higher Ed Sourcing Cooperative Higher education sourcing cooperatives are organizations that bring together colleges and universities to leverage their collective purchasing power. They negotiate contracts with suppliers on behalf of their member institutions, securing favorable terms and significant cost savings while streamlining their procurement processes. Sourcing cooperatives provide a range of benefits to […]

Cooperative Sourcing Best Practices: Redefining Procurement for Colleges and Universities

With so much uncertainty about budgets, shrinking enrollment, federal funding, and rising costs, procurement and finance teams have to be more creative than ever in managing costs and acquiring the goods and services colleges and universities need. It may also get harder. There are a series of legislative and regulatory changes that could have serious […]

What is a Higher Ed Cooperative Agreement? A Comprehensive Look at Their Role in Procurement

Cost-efficiency, streamlined processes, and strategic sourcing. It sounds simple, but putting these practices into action is hard work. Procurement teams in higher education face serious challenges, and it doesn’t appear they’ll get significant help anytime soon. The financial outlook for higher education appears problematic. Moody’s Ratings, S&P Global, and Fitch Ratings all cite significant financial […]

Solving Complex Procurement Problems Through Cooperative Agreements

Academic institutions must meet complex and often overlapping needs while navigating a maze of regulations, initiatives, compliance requirements, and budget constraints. Procurement professionals can sometimes feel like that mouse running a maze, constantly hitting dead ends and having to circle back to find a better pathway. Then, just when the end is in sight, challenges […]

Simple Reasons Why Higher Ed Cooperative Agreements Help Procurement Pros

Procurement and finance teams that handle purchasing for colleges and universities walk a tightrope these days, due to complex compliance regulations, policies, and institutional initiatives. At the same time, there are increasing budget constraints. It can be challenging to keep your balance while trying to meet all of these objectives and make sure your institution […]

Is a Cooperative Agreement Legally Binding? What Higher Ed Sourcing Pros Should Know

What Is a Cooperative Agreement? A cooperative agreement is a contract whereby two or more parties join together to work collaboratively. It can be as simple as an agreement to provide goods or services or significantly more complex, with legal obligations for all parties. Not all cooperative agreements are the same. A general higher ed […]

Category Management in Higher Ed Procurement: A Comprehensive Guide for Leaders

Navigating  financial and budgetary challenges is becoming increasingly complex for colleges and universities. Concerns about enrollment, changes in governmental policy, rising costs, and even global unrest are affecting how colleges and universities need to evolve their procurement practices. Academic institutions must find innovative ways to reduce spend to meet budget constraints while ensuring they have […]

What Does a Category Manager Do? Insights for Higher Ed Procurement Leaders

From strategic sourcing to managing supplier relationships, category managers can guide procurement decisions, creating a more stable supply chain and delivering savings. Colleges and universities increasingly turn to category management to shape their strategies and achieve their goals. What does a category manager do in higher ed procurement, and exactly what is a category manager […]