Oregon
Oregon's Public Contracting Code (Chapter 279A) provides one of the most detailed cooperative procurement frameworks in the country, defining three distinct types: joint, permissive, and interstate cooperative procurements — each with specific scope, requirements, and limits.
Cooperative Procurements — Public Contracting Code ORS 279A.200 through 279A.225
"A contracting agency may participate in, sponsor, conduct or administer a joint cooperative procurement for the procurement of any goods, services or public improvements."
— ORS 279A.200 through 279A.225, Cooperative Procurements — Public Contracting Code
Plain-language summary
Oregon distinguishes between three forms of cooperative procurement under ORS 279A.205. Joint cooperative procurements (ORS 279A.210) allow contracting agencies to procure goods, services, or public improvements together — this is the only category that permits public improvements (construction). Permissive cooperative procurements (ORS 279A.215) and interstate cooperative procurements (ORS 279A.220) are limited to goods and services only — they cannot be used for public improvements. The administering contracting agency's solicitation and award process must use source selection methods "substantially equivalent" to ORS 279B.055, 279B.060, or 279B.085, which essentially requires competitive bidding or comparable competitive proposal evaluation.
Key requirements
- →Determine which type of cooperative procurement applies: Joint (ORS 279A.210), Permissive (ORS 279A.215), or Interstate (ORS 279A.220).
- →For public improvements (construction), only joint cooperative procurements are permitted — permissive and interstate cannot be used.
- →The administering contracting agency's solicitation and award process must use source selection methods "substantially equivalent" to ORS 279B.055 (competitive sealed bidding), 279B.060 (competitive sealed proposals), or 279B.085 (special procurements).
- →Each purchasing contracting agency must determine in writing that the original solicitation and award process meets the "substantially equivalent" standard.
- →For permissive cooperative procurements with expected aggregate spending over $250,000, the purchasing agency must publish a notice of intent at least 7 days before the comment deadline (OAR 137-047-0290).
- →Protests of the underlying procurement must be directed to the administering contracting agency, not the purchasing agency.
Construction services
Oregon is notable for explicitly addressing construction ("public improvements") in its cooperative procurement framework, but with an important limitation: under ORS 279A.205(2), permissive and interstate cooperative procurements may not be used to procure public improvements. Only joint cooperative procurements (ORS 279A.210) allow construction. This means a typical out-of-state cooperative purchasing contract for construction may not qualify for use by Oregon agencies through the permissive or interstate pathway — it would need to qualify as a joint cooperative procurement. Public agencies considering cooperative procurement of construction services in Oregon should consult counsel about which pathway applies and whether the specific contract structure meets the joint cooperative procurement requirements.
How Oregon agencies access our contracts.
LNC holds multiple cooperative purchasing contracts through OMNIA Partners and Region 14 ESC Texas, all of which are available to public agencies in Oregon under ORS 279A.200 through 279A.225.
Your agency can use our contracts to procure construction services through certified Affiliate Vendors. Every Affiliate proposal is audited and certified by LNC before reaching you.
Talk to LNC About Your Project →This summary is provided for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Oregon's procurement code may have been amended since this content was prepared. Confirm the current text of ORS 279A.200 through 279A.225 and consult your jurisdiction's legal counsel before relying on this authority for a specific procurement.