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WHAT IS PACA?
The Purchasing Association of Central Alabama (PACA) is Alabama's first successful intergovernmental purchasing cooperative.
PACA is the mechanism whereby local government entities pool their collective purchasing power resulting
in discount prices and the conservation of tax dollars.
PACA members save hundreds of thousands of dollars on everything from paper clips to heavy equipment.
PACA members have access to over 100 contracts that offer considerably low prices on things like
computers, office supplies, vehicles, fuel, EMS supplies copiers etc.
PACA's ORIGIN
The idea for a regional purchasing cooperative evolved from an effort by the Birmingham Area Chamber
of Commerce to encourage more economic cooperation among the governmental units in Jefferson County.
In 1994, seven municipalities joined with the Jefferson County Commission in the creation of the Purchasing
Association of Central Alabama. In 1999, PACA membeship was extended to include governments within
the counties whose boundaries are contiguous to Jefferson.
PACA MEMBERSHIP
Currently, PACA has over 90 members consisting of cities, fire departments and organizations, county
commission, housing authorities, library systems, civic center authorities, health departments, junior
colleges, work release programs, storm water management authorites, water boards, mental health
boards, agencies on aging and boards of education.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR PACA MEMBERSHIP?
Any county commission, municipality, or local government entity that adheres to the State of Alabama bid laws
and is located within the counties of Jefferson, Bibb, Blount, Chilton, St. Clair, Shelby, Tuscaloosa or Walker.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE SAVINGS?
OFFICE SUPPLIES
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71% off core items
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71% off other items
Contact Dorothea Robinson, Principal Buyer (205)521-7593 or robinsond@jccal.org for more information.
FUEL MANAGEMENT
- .188 above OPIS daily price for bulk fuel and retail card lock fuel
- Unleaded regular
- Diesel available at many sites
- 24 hour sites available
- 170 convenient sites available with more being added as membership increases
- Detailed monthly user reports
- Inventory maintained by vendor
Contact Don Dennis, Principal Buyer @ (205) 325-5384 or dennisd@jccal.org for additional information.
MICROCOMPUTERS & ACCESSORIES
Contact Glenda Smith, Principal Buyer @ 521-7594 or smithg@jccal.org, for more information.
CELLULAR & TWO WAY COMMUNICATIONS
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25% discount on all plans
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20% discount on all accessories
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All phones Sprint/Nextel lowest rate per phone
Contact Darryl Tavel, Principal Buyer @ 521-7530 or taveld@jccal.org for more information
HOW IS PACA GOVERNED AND ADMINISTERED?
PACA is governed by an Executive Committee consisting of the Jefferson County Commission, President, mayors of each participating city and the heads of other entitites participating in the Cooperative.
The Jefferson County Commission administers the Cooperative through the Purchasing Division of the Jefferson County Finance Department. PACA and the Purchasing department personnel consists of trained government professionals who analyze and make award recommendations for products & services that have been submitted for competitive bid as outlined by Alabama's state bid laws. PACA/Purchasing staff provides research, training, purchasing information and customer service.
WHAT DOES IT COST TO BECOME A MEMBER?
Membership assessment fees are calculated by the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama (PARCA) based on each member's annual budget and are billed in quarterly amounts. For more information, contact Joe Adams, PHD of PARCA @ 726-4286 or jtadams@samford.edu
HOW DO I ORDER PRODUCTS & SERVICES?
PACA members are responsible for issuing their own purchase orders and payment invoices. There are several ways PACA members can purchase the goods and services they need.
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Members can use their own contracts
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Members can send out their own bids
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Members can "piggyback" off Jefferson County contracts
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Members can use State contracts
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Members can pool need and let PACA issue and award contracts for them
Each member determines their own level of participation in PACA.
WHAT ABOUT PROBLEMS WITH SUPPLIERS?
If a member cannot resolve the problem directly with the PACA vendor, the Cooperative staff is available to intervene.
WHAT ABOUT MY CURRENT VENDORS?
We encourage their participation. In fact, by participating your vendor will have greater business opportunites with a wider customer base.
HOW DOES MY ENTITY JOIN?
PACA members sign a intergovernmental membership agreement that is executed by each party.
Contact Dorothea Pruitt, PACA Coordinator @ 205 521-7592 or pruittd@jccal.org
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