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11/20/2015 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) :: HGACBuy <br />f1GACBvy , SMART PURCHASING 501.710. <br />GENERAL PURPOSE INFRASTRUCTURE COMMUNICATIONS GROUNDS PUBLIC EMERGENCY CONSULTING EMERGENCY COOPERATIVE <br />& EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT & EQUIPMENT & FACILITIES & WORKS EQUIPMENT & LEASING & STAFFING PREPAREDNESS & ENERGY <br />VEHICLES SERVICES SERVICES PARKS EQUIPMENT EQUIPMENT SUPPLIES SERVICES DISASTER RECOVERY PURCHASING <br />You are here: Home > Information About The Program > Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) <br />INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROGRAM <br />FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS) <br />Q: What is H -GAC? <br />A: The Houston -Galveston Area Council (H -GAC) is a regional council of governments operating under the <br />laws of the State of Texas and governed by a board comprised of 36 elected officials from the 13 county <br />region. The H -GAC Board awards all contracts, which can then he made available to local governments <br />nationwide thru HGACBuy. <br />Q: How does HGACBuy work? <br />A: Government entities join by executing an Interlocal Contract to participate in HGACBuy. This document <br />sets out the conditions, requirements and processes through which an entity's purchase orders are received, <br />confirmed to contract and processed. <br />Q: Can my entity purchase through HGACBuy? <br />A: The Texas Interlocal Cooperation Act permits joint participation by local governments, states, slate <br />agencies, and certain non-profit corporations. Most states have interlocal cooperation authority or other <br />joint power provisions that allow participation in cooperative activities. <br />Q: I have to advertise for bids therefore I can't purchase thru HGACBuy. <br />A: HGACBuy uses mass circulation, minority emphasis print media, and internet services to post legal <br />notices and bid sohciGations. Therefore, posting of public notices to solicit bids and the formal competitive <br />bid process are satisfied thru HGACBuy procedures. <br />Q: What other services are offered through the HGACBuy program? <br />A: Researching products, writing specifications, holding pre-bid conferences, assisting with order <br />placement, contacting vendor reps, helping to resolve order issues, and reviewing and oertifving purchase <br />orders to confirm compliance with any specific HGACBuy contract. <br />Q: What is the difference between HGACBuy and some other cooperatives? <br />A: HGACBuy is a unit of local government and a political subdivision of the State of Texas. The HGACBuy <br />Program is over 30 years old and specializes in high ticket, capital intensive products and services that <br />require technical, detailed specifications and extensive professional skills to evaluate bid responses. iW <br />products offered through HGACBuy have been awarded by virtue of a public competitive process. There <br />are no annual membership dues required to purrhase thru HGACBuy. <br />Q: Where do I find information on products offered through HGACBuy? <br />A: Access HGACBuy's web site at wvNw.hgacbuy.org for a complete fisting of products with descriptions, <br />prices, contractors and/or contact,. <br />Q: What products are available thou HGACBuy? <br />A: Primarily, product: that are utilized in Public Safety, Public Wortm and Communications, in addition to <br />professional cnnsulting, personnel and financing services. A wide variety of capital equipment is under <br />contract, and thru a unique feature of HGACBuy it can be customized through the ase of published and <br />unpublished options to fit your specifications and requirements. <br />Q: Can I purchase on-line? <br />A: Because of the nature of most of the product, and services we have under contract, we prefer that you <br />speak with a contractor's representative and get a detailed price quote before placing an order. This is to <br />insure that you get what you want, configured like you want it Use the HGACBuy website to for basic <br />information and to get the contractus s telephone and email address. After you receive vour written <br />quotation and have reviewed it, prepare your purchase order to the Contractor and fax a copy to HGACBuv. <br />Q: What does it cost to joiwIfGACBuy? Flaw is I-IGACBe y fundedt? <br />A: HGACBuy is a self4ruided "Enterprise Fund" government agency, self -supported thru an administrative <br />fee assessed to the contractor. An "Order Processing Charge" (Administrative Fee) will appear on quotadim <br />forms for purchases of motor vehicles in the State of Texas inaccordance with State of Texas. Department of <br />Transportation, Division of Motor Vehides requi rements. <br />Q: What are the benefirs of H^6IACBa3? I meant to inform my elected offeciats and staff: <br />A: We give you access to volume purchasing and discounts. • We pm over 200 year.,: of combilted <br />purchasing; experience to work on vont behali. - We write technical specificaions eliminate the need to hire <br />consultants for that purpose. - We absorb the ctists associated with publishing legal notices. • We offer you <br />art expedited procurement process sovou need not be delayed for months preparingspecifications and <br />satisfying all of the other requirernents for competitive bids and proposals. <br />Q: Where to send my payments to H -GAC? <br />A: Sending Coop Payments to H -GAC: <br />In order to avoid delays in the receipt and/or application of your remittance we recommend that you <br />forward all Coop payment checks made payable to the Houston -Galveston Area Council and sent to our <br />bank lock box P.O. Box 301427, Dallas TX 75303-1427. On all remittances please reference the H -GAC <br />invoice number(s) you wish payment tobe applied. <br />https://www.hgacbuy.org/program/faq/default.aspx 1/2 <br />