Kentucky law allows counties to purchase goods and services through cooperative purchasing agreements with other governmental entities. Under KRS 45A.295 and KRS 45A.300, counties may utilize contracts that have already been competitively procured by another public agency or cooperative purchasing organization.

Using cooperative purchasing can allow counties to obtain competitive pricing while reducing administrative time associated with conducting their own solicitation.

Step 1: Overview / Procurement

County officials should first determine whether road salt or other deicing materials are available through an existing cooperative purchasing contract.

Examples of cooperative purchasing organizations may include:

• State cooperative contracts
• National purchasing cooperatives
• Regional government purchasing programs
• Intergovernmental agreements with other public entities

When reviewing cooperative purchasing options, counties should evaluate several factors.

Product Availability

• Confirm that road salt or similar deicing materials are included in the cooperative contract.
• Verify that the specifications and quality standards meet the operational needs of the county road department.

Pricing

• Review the contract price per ton and any additional costs such as delivery, fuel surcharges, or minimum order requirements.
• Compare cooperative pricing with current market conditions to ensure the price remains competitive.

Contract Terms and Participation

• Confirm the county is eligible to participate in the cooperative agreement.
• Review any ordering procedures, delivery requirements, or contract limitations.

Advertisement Requirement

Because cooperative purchasing contracts have already been competitively solicited by another governmental entity, counties are not required to advertise for bids when purchasing through these agreements.

Fiscal Court Approval

Even when using a cooperative purchasing agreement:

• Fiscal Court approval is required before making the purchase.
• The Fiscal Court should review the cooperative contract information and authorize participation in the purchase.

Step 2: If the County Is Not a Member

If the county is not currently a member of the cooperative purchasing program, officials should evaluate whether joining the cooperative would be beneficial.

Considerations may include:

• Availability of road salt or other needed materials
• Pricing advantages compared to conducting an independent bid
• Administrative efficiency and reduced procurement time
• Membership fees or participation requirements

If the county determines membership would be beneficial:

• Fiscal Court approval is required to join the cooperative purchasing program or authorize participation in the contract.

Once approved, the County Judge/Executive may execute the necessary agreements or purchase documents in accordance with county procurement procedures.