Hey everyone, I saw two different notices this week that both used the word "cooperative" and I am trying to figure out if they are related. First, there was a federal notice on SAM.gov for what it called a "cooperative agreement" from the Forest Service, NAICS 115112, Support Activities for Crop Production. The description sounded like they wanted someone to help with erosion control and native plant restoration. The deadline for questions was last Friday. Then I saw a notice on our county's procurement portal for a "cooperative purchasing contract" for grounds maintenance services, NAICS 561730. This one said other local government entities could use it. Are these two things the same type of agreement, or completely different? Can a landscaping company respond to a federal cooperative agreement like it's a contract, and can I get on the county's cooperative purchasing contract?
Is a cooperative agreement the same as a cooperative purchasing contract, or a different thing entirely?
Ask a question2 answers
A federal cooperative agreement and a cooperative purchasing contract on a state or local level are two different things entirely. A federal cooperative agreement is a type of federal assistance where substantial involvement is expected between the federal agency and the recipient during performance, distinct from a federal contract where the government buys goods or services for its direct benefit. A landscaping company would need to review the specific requirements of the Forest Service cooperative agreement to see if it aligns with their services and if they meet the eligibility criteria, but it is not a procurement contract in the typical sense.
Conversely, a county's cooperative purchasing contract, like the one you saw for grounds maintenance, is a procurement vehicle that allows multiple government entities to purchase goods or services under the same terms and conditions. These contracts are governed by state and local procurement codes, not the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). To get on the county's cooperative purchasing contract, your firm would need to respond to the solicitation posted on the county's procurement portal and meet all the qualifications and requirements outlined in the bid documents.
Jordan, a federal cooperative agreement is not a contract, and your landscaping company cannot respond to it like one; it is a type of financial assistance award where the government expects to be heavily involved with the recipient, unlike a procurement contract where the government buys something for its own use. The Forest Service will be looking for an organization, possibly a non-profit, that already does erosion control and native plant restoration and needs funding to expand that work. You will need to check your county's procurement portal for any open solicitations for grounds maintenance if you want to get on their cooperative purchasing contract. The county wants to buy services, so they will put out an Invitation for Bid (IFB) or a Request for Proposal (RFP) for firms like yours to bid on. Your state and local procurement rules, not the FAR, control how those bids are evaluated.