VCPD (Virginia Cooperative Procurement Delivered)

What is VCPD (Virginia Cooperative Procurement Delivered)?

VCPD, or Virginia Cooperative Procurement Delivered, is the Commonwealth of Virginia's electronic procurement system designed to facilitate cooperative purchasing among state agencies, localities, and vendors. It acts as a centralized platform for sourcing, bidding, and managing contracts under cooperative agreements. This promotes efficiency and cost savings across various governmental entities.

Definition

VCPD serves as the electronic portal where Virginia's state agencies, cities, counties, and other public bodies can access pre-negotiated contracts, submit solicitations for cooperative purchasing, and manage their procurement activities. Built upon the eVA procurement system, it provides a standardized process for identifying vendors, evaluating bids, and awarding contracts. The legal basis for cooperative procurement in Virginia is established in the Virginia Public Procurement Act (VPPA), which authorizes public bodies to participate in cooperative purchasing arrangements to leverage economies of scale and reduce administrative costs. For government contractors, understanding VCPD is crucial to access a wider pool of potential customers within the Commonwealth and to efficiently respond to solicitations issued through this system.

Key Points

• Centralized Procurement: VCPD centralizes procurement activities for cooperative purchasing, making it easier for buyers and sellers to connect.
• eVA Integration: It's integrated with the Commonwealth's eVA system, meaning vendors must often be registered in eVA to participate.
• Cooperative Agreements: VCPD facilitates purchasing under cooperative agreements, allowing multiple entities to leverage the same contract terms.
• Transparency and Compliance: The system promotes transparency in the procurement process and ensures compliance with Virginia's procurement regulations.

Practical Examples

1. Local Government Technology Purchases: A county government uses VCPD to purchase computer equipment under a cooperative contract negotiated by the state, saving time and money compared to conducting their own procurement.
2. School System Supplies: A school division utilizes VCPD to access a pre-established contract for classroom supplies, benefiting from volume discounts available through the cooperative agreement.
3. State Agency Service Contracts: A state agency uses VCPD to solicit bids for a cybersecurity service contract, allowing other state and local entities to also utilize the awarded contract.