State and local governments have a new way to buy supplies and services to prepare for and respond to all types of emergencies under a program established by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) earlier this month.

The Cooperative Purchasing Program allows state and local agencies to buy law enforcement, security, and first responder goods and services off a GSA contract known as Schedule 84. The interim rule implements the Local Preparedness Acquisition Act, signed by President Bush on June 26, 2008.

“Access to Schedule 84 will help our state and local government partners make their communities safer today,” said GSA Acting Administrator Jim Williams.

The GSA Cooperative Purchasing Program was started in 2003 to allow state and local governments to procure information technology equipment, software, and services found under Schedule 70 and Consolidated Schedule contracts containing IT Special Item Numbers. Under the expanded Cooperative Purchasing Program, state and local governments can also buy total solutions for law enforcement, security, facilities management, fire, rescue, clothing, marine craft and emergency/disaster response equipment.

As individual Schedule 84 vendors agree to participate in the program, a blue over red (COOP/PURCH) icon will appear next to their company name and the products/services displayed in GSA E-library and GSA Advantage. In addition, state and local agencies can purchase products and services from Schedules 70 and 84 under Cooperative Purchasing from GSA Advantage.