Procurement Services is partnering with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to further leverage the University's buying power. As a tax exempt, nonprofit educational institution, Penn can utilize those contracts that are made available by the Pennsylvania Department of General Services (DGS).
This new approach to collaborative purchasing is a result of the COSTARS Cooperative Purchasing Program, a new approach that encourages an interactive partnership between local public and nonprofit procurement organizations and the Commonwealth. Section 1902 of Act 57 of May 15, 1998, as amended by Act 142 of December 3, 2002, 62 Pa.C.S. Section 1902, enables local public and nonprofit procurement organizations to participate in those contracts for supplies and services entered into by the Department of General Services.
Procurement Services will review DGS state contracts for their price competitiveness and utilize those contracts that offer value and cost containment opportunities while still meeting the University's specific business requirements.
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania COSTARS Program contract suppliers available in the BEN Buys Supplier Database include:
| COSTARS Contract Supplier | Commodity |
| RoData Corporation | Audiovisual and Conferencing Products |