City Connect Market, a program launched by the Municipal Association of SC in 2021 to help South Carolina’s cities and towns take advantage of volume discounts on purchases, has added a new partner organization.
The program has now joined on with the CarolinaBUY Cooperative, which serves municipalities and other organizations nationwide and offers purchasing contracts in areas including cybersecurity; office supplies; athletic and playground facilities; heating, ventilation and air conditioning; vehicles; signage and other areas.
This partnership joins another City Connect Market partnership that has existed since the program’s beginning with HGACBuy. That nationwide government procurement services assists with purchasing in a wide variety of products and services, primarily in the areas of public safety, public works, emergency services and communications.
How to participate
Officials and staff can learn more on the City Connect Market page. The webpage has links to product listings under all of the contract categories. Users can search through the available products or services, or can contact the Municipal Association with a specific request.
After the municipality receives and approves a quote, the Association will work directly with HGACBuy or CarolinaBUY to place the order. The Association serves as a liaison that can assist the municipality throughout the purchasing process. Those cities and towns that wish to use this process should review their procurement ordinances to make sure that cooperative purchasing partnerships are an approved purchasing method.
For more information about the City Connect Market, contact Municipal Association Deputy Executive Director Jake Broom at 803.933.1270 or purchasing@masc.sc.