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State Statutes
Each state has its own laws addressing intergovernmental purchasing by local government agencies. Select a state to view the intergovernmental purchasing statutes.
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The material provided on this page is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. It may not contain the most up to date changes in the law. Please consult with your legal counsel for further details on your state’s own laws addressing intergovernmental purchasing.
Article 3: Competitive Bidding on Contracts of Certain State and Local Agencies, etc.
Section 41-16-51
Contracts for which competitive bidding not required
(16) Subject to the limitations in this subdivision, purchases of goods made as a part of the purchasing cooperative sponsored by the National Association of Counties, its successor organization, or any other competitive bid nationwide cooperative purchasing program, or other national or regional governmental cooperative purchasing program. This subdivision shall not apply to goods for which a service or service contract, whether subject to competitive bidding under this article or not, is necessary to utilize the goods. Such purchases may only be made if all of the following occur:
- The goods being purchased are available as a result of a competitive bid process conducted by a governmental entity and approved by the Alabama Department of Examiners of Public Accounts for each bid.
- The goods are either not at the time available to counties on the state purchasing program or are available at a price equal to or less than that on the state purchasing program.
- The purchase is made through a participating Alabama vendor holding an Alabama business license if such a vendor exists.
- The entity purchasing goods under this subdivision has been notified by the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts that the competitive bid process utilized by the cooperative program offering the goods complies with this subdivision.
This code pertains to the following political subdivisions only:
- Municipalities
- State Colleges or Universities under the supervision and control of the State Board of Education
- State Junior Colleges
- State Trade Schools
- County Commissions
- Governing Boards of Instrumentalities of Counties and Municipalities, including Waterworks Boards, Sewer Boards, Gas Boards, and other like Utility Boards and Commissions
Title 36 Public Contracts
Chapter 36.30 State Procurement Code
Chapter 102 Common Service Contracts by Article 9 Intergovernmental Relations
36.30.790: Definitions
In AS 36.30.700 - 36.30.790
- "cooperative purchasing" means procurement conducted by, or on behalf of, more than one public procurement unit, or by a public procurement unit with an external procurement activity;
- "external procurement activity" means a buying organization not located in this state that, if located in this state, would qualify as a public procurement unit; an agency of the United States is an external procurement activity;
- "local public procurement unit" means a municipality or other subdivision of the state or other entity that expends public funds for the procurement of supplies, services, professional services, and construction, and any nonprofit corporation operating a charitable hospital;
- "public procurement unit" means either a local public procurement unit or a state public procurement unit;
- "state public procurement unit" means the Department of Administration and any other contracting agency of the state.
36.30.700: Cooperative purchasing authorized.
Title 11 Counties
Chapter 7 Intergovernmental Cooperation
Article 1 General Provisions
11-952. Joint exercise of powers; definitions
A. Any power or powers, privileges or authority exercised or capable of exercise by a public agency of this state may be exercised and enjoyed jointly with any other public agency of this state having the power or powers, privilege or authority, and jointly with any public agency of any other state or of the United States to the extent that laws of such other state or of the United States permit such joint exercise or enjoyment. Any agency of the state government when acting jointly with any public agency may exercise and enjoy all of the powers, privileges and authority conferred by this article upon a public agency.
B. For the purposes of this article:
- "Public agency" means any political subdivision or municipal corporation of this state and any agency of the state government or of the United States, and any political subdivision or municipal corporation of another state.
- "State" means a state of the United States and the District of Columbia.
Title 25 State Government
Chapter 1 General Provisions
Subchapter 8 Interlocal Cooperation
25-1-801. Purpose
It is the purpose of this subchapter to permit local governmental units to make the most efficient use of their powers by enabling them to cooperate with other localities on a basis of mutual advantage and thereby to provide services and facilities in a manner and pursuant to forms of governmental organization that will accord best with geographic, economic, population, and other factors influencing the needs and development of local communities.
25-1-803. Definitions
As used in this subchapter:
- "Interlocal agreement" means an agreement entered into pursuant to this subchapter.
- "Public agency" means a political subdivision, agency, or officer of this state or of any state of the United States, including, but not limited to, state government, county, city, school district, single and multipurpose special district, single and multipurpose public authority, metropolitan or consolidated government, an independently elected county officer, any agency of the United States Government, a federally recognized Native American tribe, and any similar entity of any other state of the United States.
- "State" means a state of the United States.
- "Person" means:
- Any natural person;
- The United States; any state; any municipality, political subdivision, or municipal corporation created by or pursuant to the laws of the United States or any state; or any board, corporation, or other entity or body declared by or pursuant to the laws of the United States or any state to be a department, agency, or instrumentality thereof;
Government Code
Title 1 General
Division 7 Miscellaneous
Chapter 5 Joint Exercise of Powers
6500. As used in this chapter:
- "Public agency" means the federal government or any federal department or agency, this state, another state or any state department or agency, a county, city, district, public authority, public agency, and any other political subdivision or public corporation in this state or another state.
- "State" means this state, another state, or any state department or agency.
§ 6502. Joint powers agreements
If authorized by their legislative or other governing bodies, two or more public agencies by agreement may jointly exercise any power common to the contracting parties, including the power to levy a fee, assessment, or tax, even though one or more of the contracting agencies may be located outside this state.
Title 29 Government - Local
Article 1 Local Government Powers
Part 2 Intergovernmental Relations
29-1-203. Joint exercise of powers - agreements
Colorado Revised StatutesTitle 24 Government - State
Article 110 Intergovernmental Relations 24-110-101: Definitions.
Connecticut StatutesAs used in this article, unless the context otherwise requires:
24-110-201. Cooperative purchasing authorized.
- "Cooperative purchasing" means procurement conducted by, or on behalf of, more than one public procurement unit or by a public procurement unit with an external procurement activity.
- "External procurement activity" means any buying organization not located in this state which, if located in this state, would qualify as a public procurement unit. An agency of the United States is an external procurement activity.
- Local public procurement unit" means any county, city, county and city, municipality, or other political subdivision of the state, any public agency of any such political subdivision, any public authority, any educational, health, or other institution, and, to the extent provided by law, any other entity which expends public funds for the procurement of supplies, services, and construction.
- "Public procurement unit" means either a local public procurement unit or a state public procurement unit.
- "State public procurement unit" means the department of personnel or any other purchasing agency of this state.
Any public procurement unit may either participate in, sponsor, conduct, or administer a cooperative purchasing agreement for the procurement of any supplies, services, or construction with one or more public procurement units, external procurement activities, or procurement consortiums which include as members tax-exempt organizations as defined by section 501 (c)(3) of the federal "Internal Revenue Code of 1986", as amended, in accordance with an agreement entered into between the participants. Such cooperative purchasing may include, but is not limited to, joint or multiparty contracts between public procurement units and open-ended state public procurement unit contracts which are made available to local public procurement units.
Title 14
Chapter 58 Purchases and Printing Sec. 4a-53 (Formerly Sec. 4-110c). Cooperative Purchasing Plans
Section 4a-53 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(a) The Commissioner of Administrative Services may join with federal agencies, other state governments, political subdivisions of this state or nonprofit organizations in cooperative purchasing plans when the best interests of the state would be served thereby.
(b) The state, through the Commissioner of Administrative Services, may purchase equipment, supplies, materials and services from a person who has a contract to sell such property or services to other state governments, political subdivisions of this state, nonprofit organizations or public purchasing consortia, in accordance with the terms and conditions of such contract.
Title 7 Municipalities
Chapter 98 Municipal Powers Sec. 7-148cc: Joint performance of municipal functions.
Two or more municipalities may jointly perform any function that each municipality may perform separately under any provisions of the general statutes or of any special act, charter or home rule ordinance. Each participating municipality shall approve any agreement entered into pursuant to this section in the same manner as an ordinance is approved in such participating municipality or, if no ordinances are approved by such participating municipality, in the same manner as the budget is approved. The terms of each agreement shall establish a process for withdrawal from such agreement and shall require that the agreement be reviewed at least once every five years by the body that approved the agreement to assess the effectiveness of such agreement in enhancing the performance of the function that is the subject of the agreement. As used in this section, "municipality" means any municipality, as defined in section 7-187, or any district, as defined in section 7-324, located within the state of Connecticut.
Sec. 7-187. Definitions.Whenever used in sections 7-188 to 7-193, inclusive:
a) "Appointing authority" means the body having authority to appoint a charter commission, charter revision commission or home rule ordinance revision commission, which shall be the board of selectmen of a town not having a council or board of directors, the council or board of directors of a town having such a council or board, the common council or other body empowered to make ordinances of a city or the board of burgesses of a borough;
b) "Commission" means any such charter commission, charter revision commission, or home rule ordinance revision commission;
c) "Home rule ordinance" means any ordinance or resolution which has been adopted by a municipality prior to October 1, 1982, in substitution for a special act relating to its government, which ordinance or resolution may contain the provisions of such special act with or without amendments and which ordinance or resolution shall not be inconsistent with the Constitution of the state or the general statutes;
d) "Municipality" means a town, city, borough, consolidated town and city or consolidated town and borough.
Title 29 State Government
Part VI Budget, Fiscal, Procurement and Contracting Regulations
Chapter 69. State Procurement
Subchapter VI 29 Del. C. § 6987: Cooperative Procurement
An agency may participate in, sponsor, conduct or administer a cooperative agreement for the procurement of professional services with 1 or more public procurement units either within this State, with or within another state, or with a consortium of other states in accordance with an agreement entered into between the participants. Such agreement may include material and/or nonprofessional services with professional services.
District of Columbia CodeDivision I Government of District
Title 2 Government Administration
Chapter 3 Procurement
Unit A Procurement Practices for the District Government
Subchapter XI Miscellaneous
§ 2-311.02. Cooperative purchasing agreement.
(a) The Director shall be authorized and encouraged to participate in, sponsor, conduct, or administer cooperative purchasing agreements with any state, county, or municipal jurisdiction for the purpose of procuring supplies and services, which shall include construction services or architectural and engineering services related to construction repairs, upgrades, restoration, alteration, and reconstruction of existing buildings and facilities. Cooperative purchasing agreements entered into by the District government shall be in accordance with, to the extent practicable, all laws, statutes, and regulations of the District government with respect to contracting, and shall not be inconsistent with laws, statutes, and regulations of the United States government that apply specifically to the District.
(b) The District government may not participate in any cooperative purchasing agreement pursuant to subsection (a) of this section that does not mandate minimum minority business participation levels equal to those required by subchapter VIII of Chapter 2 of this title.
(c) Cooperative purchasing agreements may include, but not be limited to, the following:
(1) Agreements for the cooperative purchasing of supplies and services;
(2) Agreements for the sale, purchase, or use of property belonging to either the District or a neighboring jurisdiction;
(3) Agreements for the common use of facilities equipment;
(4) Agreements for automated databases; or
(5) Agreements for construction services or architectural and engineering services related to the repair, upgrade, restoration, alteration and reconstruction of buildings and facilities.
(d) No agency shall enter into or participate in a cooperative purchasing agreement unless that participation is authorized by the Director pursuant to the District Government Procurement Regulations.
Title X Public Officers, Employees, and Records
Chapter 163 Intergovernmental Programs
Part I Interlocal Cooperation Act
163.01. Short title
This part may be cited as the "Interlocal Cooperation Act."
163.01. Definitions
As used in this part:
- "Public agency" means any political subdivision of this state, including, but not limited to, any county, municipality, school district, or special district, and any agency of the state government or any agency of the United States government.
- "State" means a state of the United States and the District of Columbia.
163.01. Joint exercise of powers
Any power or powers, privileges, or authority exercised or capable of exercise by a public agency of this state may be exercised and enjoyed jointly with any other public agency of this state having the power or powers, privilege, or authority, and jointly with any public agency of any other state or of the United States to the extent that laws of such other state or of the United States permit such joint exercise or enjoyment.
Title 36 Local Government
Chapter 69 Intergovernmental Relations
Article 1 Interlocal Cooperation
36-69-1. Short title
This article shall be known and may be cited as the "Interlocal Cooperation Act."
36-69-2. Definitions
As used in this article:
- "Public agency" means any political subdivision or municipal corporation of this state and any agency of the state government or of the United States, and any political subdivision or municipal corporation of another state.
- "State" means a state of the United States and the District of Columbia.
36-69-3. Joint exercise of powers
Any power or powers, privileges, or authority exercised or capable of exercise by a public agency of this state may be exercised and enjoyed jointly with any other public agency of this state having the power or powers, privilege, or authority, and jointly with any public agency of any other state or of the United States to the extent that laws of such other state or of the United States permit such joint exercise or enjoyment.
Title 1 General Provisions
Chapter 1 Definitions
Section 1-1
Definitions
As used in this chapter:
- "Public agency" means any political subdivision or municipal corporation of this state and any agency of the state government or of the United States, and any political subdivision or municipal corporation of another state.
- "State" means a state of the United States and the District of Columbia.
Joint exercise of powers
Any power or powers, privileges, or authority exercised or capable of exercise by a public agency of this state may be exercised and enjoyed jointly with any other public agency of this state having the power or powers, privilege, or authority, and jointly with any public agency of any other state or of the United States to the extent that laws of such other state or of the United States permit such joint exercise or enjoyment.
Title 67 State Government and State Affairs
Chapter 23 Miscellaneous Provisions
Section 67-2327
Definitions
As used in this chapter:
- "Public agency" means any city or political subdivision of this state, including, but not limited to counties; school districts; highway districts; and port authorities; instrumentalities of counties, cities or any political subdivision created under the laws of the state of Idaho; any agency of the state government; and any city or political subdivision of another state.
- "State" means a state of the United States and the District of Columbia.
67-2328. Joint Exercise of Powers
(a) Any power, privilege or authority, authorized by the Idaho Constitution, statute or charter, held by the state of Idaho or a public agency of said state, may be exercised and enjoyed jointly with the state of Idaho or any other public agency of this state having the same powers, privilege or authority; but never beyond the limitation of such powers, privileges or authority; and the state or public agency of the state, may exercise such powers, privileges and authority jointly with the United States, any other state, or public agency of any of them, to the extent that the laws of the United States or sister state, grant similar powers, privileges or authority, to the United States and its public agencies, or to the sister state and its public agencies.
Title 5 Local Government
Chapter 5 Intergovernmental Cooperation
Article 1 Intergovernmental Cooperation Act
5 ILCS 220/1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Intergovernmental Cooperation Act.
5 ILCS 220/2. Definitions
As used in this Act:
- "Public agency" means any political subdivision or municipal corporation of this State and any agency of the State government or of the United States, and any political subdivision or municipal corporation of another state.
- "State" means a state of the United States and the District of Columbia.
5 ILCS 220/3. Joint exercise of powers
Any power or powers, privileges or authority exercised or capable of exercise by a public agency of this State may be exercised and enjoyed jointly with any other public agency of this State having the power or powers, privilege or authority, and jointly with any public agency of any other state or of the United States to the extent that laws of such other state or of the United States permit such joint exercise or enjoyment.
Title 36 Local Government
Article 1 General Provisions
Chapter 7 Intergovernmental Cooperation
36-1-7-1. Short title
This chapter may be cited as the Intergovernmental Cooperation Act.
36-1-7-2. Definitions
As used in this chapter:
- "Public agency" means any political subdivision or municipal corporation of this state and any agency of the state government or of the United States, and any political subdivision or municipal corporation of another state.
- "State" means a state of the United States and the District of Columbia.
36-1-7-3. Joint exercise of powers
Any power or powers, privileges or authority exercised or capable of exercise by a public agency of this state may be exercised and enjoyed jointly with any other public agency of this state having the power or powers, privilege or authority, and jointly with any public agency of any other state or of the United States to the extent that laws of such other state or of the United States permit such joint exercise or enjoyment.
Title I State Sovereignty and ManagementSubtitle 10. Joint Governmental Activity
Chapter 28E Joint Exercise of Governmental Powers 28E.1: Purpose
The purpose of this chapter is to permit state and local governments in Iowa to make efficient use of their powers by enabling them to provide joint services and facilities with other agencies and to cooperate in other ways of mutual advantage. This chapter shall be liberally construed to that end.
28E.2: DefinitionsFor the purposes of this chapter, the term "public agency" shall mean any political subdivision of this state; any agency of the state government or of the United States; and any political subdivision of another state. The term "state" shall mean a state of the United States and the District of Columbia. The term "private agency" shall mean an individual and any form of business organization authorized under the laws of this or any other state
28E.3: Joint exercise of powersAny power or powers, privileges or authority exercised or capable of exercise by a public agency of this state may be exercised and enjoyed jointly with any other public agency of this state having such power or powers, privilege or authority, and jointly with any public agency of any other state or of the United States to the extent that laws of such other state or of the United States permit such joint exercise or enjoyment. Any agency of the state government when acting jointly with any public agency may exercise and enjoy all of the powers, privileges and authority conferred by this chapter upon a public agency.
Chapter 12 Cities and MunicipalitiesArticle 29 Interlocal Cooperation
§ 11-102-1. 12-2901: Purpose of Act.
It is the purpose of this act to permit local governmental units to make the most efficient use of their powers by enabling them to cooperate with other localities, persons, associations and corporations on a basis of mutual advantage and thereby to provide services and facilities in a manner and pursuant to forms of governmental organization that will accord best with geographic, economic, population and other factors influencing the needs and development of local communities.
12-2903: Definitions.
For the purposes of this act:
(a) The term "public agency" shall mean any county, township, city, town, village, school district, library district, road district, drainage or levee district, sewer district, water district, fire district or other municipal corporation, quasi-municipal corporation or political subdivision of this state or of any other state and any agency or instrumentality of this state or any other state or of the United States;
(b) The term "state" shall mean a state of the United States and the District of Columbia;
(a) Any power or powers, privileges or authority exercised or capable of exercise by a public agency of this state including but not limited to those functions relating to economic development, public improvements, public utilities, police protection, libraries, data processing services, educational services, building and related inspection services, flood control and storm water drainage, weather modification, sewage disposal, refuse disposal, park and recreational programs and facilities, ambulance service, fire protection, the Kansas tort claims act or claims for civil rights violations, may be exercised and enjoyed jointly with any other public agency of this state or with any private agency, and jointly with any public agency of any other state or of the United States to the extent that the laws of such other state or of the United States permit such joint exercise or enjoyment. Any agency of the state government when acting jointly with any public or private agency may exercise and enjoy all of the powers, privileges and authority conferred by this act upon a public agency.
Title VI Financial AdministrationChapter 45A Kentucky Model Procurement Code
45A.295: Definitions for terms used in KRS 45A.295 to 45A.320.
As used in KRS 45A.295 to 45A.320:
(1) "State public purchasing unit" shall mean the Finance and Administration Cabinet and any other purchasing agency of this Commonwealth.
(2) "Local public purchasing unit" shall mean any county, city, governmental entity and other subdivision of the Commonwealth or public agency thereof, public authority, public educational, health, or other institution, any other entity which expends public funds for the acquisition or leasing of supplies, services, and construction, and any nonprofit corporation operating a charitable hospital.
(3) "Public purchasing unit" shall mean either a local public purchasing unit or a state public purchasing unit.
(4) "Foreign purchasing activity" shall mean any buying organization not located in this Commonwealth which, if located in this Commonwealth, would qualify as a public purchasing unit. An agency of the United States government is a foreign purchasing activity.
(5) "Cooperative purchasing" shall mean purchasing conducted by, or on behalf of, more than one (1) public purchasing unit, or by a public purchasing unit with a foreign purchasing activity.
45A.300: Cooperative purchasing.
(1) Any public purchasing unit may either participate in, sponsor, conduct, or administer a cooperative purchasing agreement for the acquisition of any supplies, services, or construction with any other public purchasing unit or foreign purchasing activity, in accordance with an agreement entered into between the participants. This cooperative purchasing may include, but is not limited to, joint contracts between public purchasing units and access by local public purchasing units to open-ended state public purchasing unit contracts.
(2) Nothing in this code shall limit any public purchasing unit from selling to, acquiring from, or using any property belonging to another public purchasing unit or foreign purchasing activity independent of the requirements of KRS 45A.070 to 45A.180.
(3) Nothing in this code shall limit or restrict any public purchasing unit from entering into an agreement, independent of the requirements of KRS 45A.045(5) and KRS 45A.070 to 45A.165, with any other public purchasing unit or foreign purchasing activity for the cooperative use of supplies or services.
(4) Any public purchasing unit may enter into an agreement for the joint or common use of warehousing facilities or the lease or common use of capital equipment or facilities with any other public purchasing unit or a foreign purchasing activity subject to the terms as may be agreed upon between the parties.
(5) Nothing in this code shall limit or restrict the ability of local school districts to acquire supplies outside of the public purchasing agreements when the supplies and equipment meeting the same specifications as the contract items are available at a lower price elsewhere and the purchase does not exceed two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500).
(6) Nothing in this code shall limit any public purchasing unit from receiving notice of or accepting a price reduction on supplies or equipment when the supplies or equipment are being offered by the vendor with whom a price agreement has been made; the supplies or equipment are being offered in accordance with all terms and conditions that are specified in the price agreement, except those relating to price; and the price reduction is offered to all of the participants in the price agreement. Public purchasing units may accept special price reductions under this subsection even if the reduced price requires the purchase of a specified quantity of units different from the quantity stated in the original price agreement. Price reductions under this subsection shall not be considered to permanently alter the price of the supplies or equipment under the price agreement with the Commonwealth, except where the price reductions are to be made permanent under the express terms of the price agreement and where the purchasing agency which solicited the price agreement determines that the enforcement of those terms serves the best interest of the Commonwealth.
Title 39 Public FinanceSubtitle III. General Laws on State Debt
Chapter 17. Louisiana Procurement Code
Part VII Intergovernmental Relations 39:1701: Definitions of terms used in this Part
(1) "Cooperative purchasing" means procurement conducted by or on behalf of more than one public procurement unit or by a public procurement unit with an external procurement activity or by a private procurement unit.
(2) "External procurement activity" means any buying organization not located in this state which, if located in this state, would qualify as a public procurement unit. An agency of the United States government is an external procurement activity.
(3) "Local public procurement unit" means any parish, city, town, governmental body, and any other subdivision of the state or public agency thereof, public authority, public educational, health, or other institution, and to the extent provided by law, any other entity which expends public funds for the acquisition or leasing of supplies, services, major repairs, and construction, and any nonprofit corporation operating a charitable hospital.
(4) "Private procurement unit" means any independent institution of higher education in this state.
(5) "Public procurement unit" means either a local public procurement unit or a state public procurement unit.
(6) "State public procurement unit" means the central purchasing agency and any other purchasing agency of this state.
39:1702: Cooperative purchasing authorized; participation in Federal General Services Administration vendor list
A. (1) Any public procurement unit may either participate in, sponsor, conduct, or administer a cooperative purchasing agreement for the acquisition of any supplies, services, major repairs, or construction with one or more public procurement units or external procurement activities or one or more private procurement units in accordance with an agreement entered into between the participants. Such cooperative purchasing may include but is not limited to joint or multi-party contracts between public procurement units and open-minded state public procurement unit contracts which are made available to local public procurement units.
39:1704. Cooperative use of supplies or servicesAny public procurement unit may enter into an agreement, independent of the requirements of Part III of this Chapter or Title 38, with any other public procurement unit or external procurement activity for the cooperative use of supplies or services, under the terms agreed upon between the parties.
Louisiana Constitution
Article 7.14 (C)
Cooperative Endeavors:
For a public purpose, the state and its political subdivisions or political corporations may engage in cooperative endeavors with each other, with the United States or its agencies, or with any public or private association, corporation, or individual.
Any state agency, any parish or municipal governing authority, any regional governing authority, and the governing authority of any airport or deep draft or shallow draft port may engage in one or more cooperative endeavors under the provisions of Article VII, Section 14(C) of the Constitution of Louisiana, among themselves for the purposes of this Chapter.
Maine Revised StatutesTitle 30-A Municipalities and Counties
Part 2 Municipalities
Subpart 2: Organization and Interlocal Corporation 30-A M.R.S.A. § 2201: Purpose
It is the purpose of this chapter to permit public agencies, as defined in section 2202, including, but not limited to, municipalities, counties, school administrative units and state agencies, to make the most efficient use of their powers by enabling them to cooperate on a basis of mutual advantage and thereby to provide services and facilities in a manner and pursuant to forms of governmental organization that will accord best with geographic, economic, population and other factors influencing the needs and development of communities.
30-A M.R.S.A. § 2202: DefinitionsAs used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.
1. Public agency. "Public agency" means:
A. Any political subdivision of the State, as defined in section 2252, or any adjoining state; or
B. Repealed.
C. Any agency of State Government or the Federal Government.
30-A M.R.S.A. § 2252: "Political subdivision" defined"Political subdivision" means any municipality, plantation, county, quasi-municipal corporation and special purpose district, including, but not limited to, any water district, sanitary district, hospital district, municipal transmission and distribution utility and school administrative unit. "School administrative unit" has the same meaning as found in Title 20-A, section 1, subsection 26.
30-A M.R.S.A. § 2203: Joint exercise of powersAny power or powers, privileges or authority exercised or capable of exercise by a public agency of the State may be exercised and enjoyed jointly with any other public agency of this State, or of the Federal Government to the extent that federal laws permit the joint exercise. When acting jointly with any public agency, any agency of State Government may exercise all of the powers, privileges and authority conferred by this chapter upon a public agency.
- Agreement: Any 2 or more public agencies may enter into agreements with one another for joint or cooperative action under this chapter. The governing bodies of the participating public agencies must take appropriate action by ordinance, resolution or other action under law before any such agreement may become effective.
Division 2 Procurement
Title 13 Source Selection for Procurement Contracts
Subtitle 1: Methods for Selecting Procurement Sources § 13-110 STATE FIN. & PROC: Procurement by intergovernmental cooperative purchasing agreement.
(a) Definitions: In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
1) "Governmental entity" means:
i. the federal government or an agency or other instrumentality of the federal government;
ii. another state or an agency or other instrumentality of another state;
iii. a bistate or multistate agency;
iv. a county, municipal corporation, or other political subdivision of the State or of another state, or an agency orother instrumentality of the political subdivision;
v. a bicounty or multicounty agency;
vi. a primary procurement unit; or
vii. an affiliation, alliance, consortium, or group composed solely of governmental entities that is established for purposes of promoting intergovernmental cooperative purchasing.
2) "Intergovernmental cooperative purchasing agreement" means a contract:
(i) 1. entered into by at least one governmental entity and a person selected in a manner that is consistent with the purposes set forth under § 11-201 of this article;
2. that is available for use by the governmental entity entering the contract and at least one additional governmental entity which may, but need not be, an original party to the contract; and
3. that is intended to promote efficiency and savings that can result from intergovernmental cooperative purchasing; or
(ii) between a primary procurement unit and a person who, at the time the intergovernmental cooperative purchasing agreement is awarded, has a contract with the federal government or an agency or other instrumentality of the federal government, and who agrees to provide the unit with identical prices, terms, and conditions as stipulated in the federal contract.
(b) Participation of primary procurement unit.
1) Subject to § 12-107 of this article and paragraph (3) of this subsection, whenever a primary procurement unit procurement officer determines that it is in the best interest of the State to sponsor or participate in an intergovernmental cooperative purchasing agreement, with the approval of the unit head and subject to any other approval required by law, the primary procurement unit may become a party to or participate under the agreement.
2) A determination under this subsection shall be in writing and include a statement that the intergovernmental cooperative purchasing agreement:
(i) will provide cost benefits to the State, promote administrative efficiencies, or promote intergovernmental cooperation; and
(ii) is not intended to evade the purposes of this Division II.
3) A primary procurement unit may not participate under a federal contract if the State’s participation is valued at less than $250,000.
(c) Sponsorship of intergovernmental cooperative purchasing agreement; award of contract.
1) If a primary procurement unit sponsors an intergovernmental cooperative purchasing agreement:
i. the contract shall be awarded in the same manner as the contract would be awarded under this Division II if the unit was the sole participant under the contract; and
ii. all procedures under this Division II, including procedures governing contract claims and protests, shall apply.
2) A political subdivision of the State may participate under any intergovernmental cooperative purchasing agreement sponsored by a primary procurement unit in a manner consistent with the terms of the agreement.
Title VII Cities, Towns and Districts
Chapter 40B Intergovernmental Cooperation
§1. Short title
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Intergovernmental Cooperation Act."
§2. Definitions
As used in this chapter:
- "Public agency" means any political subdivision or municipal corporation of this state and any agency of the state government or of the United States, and any political subdivision or municipal corporation of another state.
- "State" means a state of the United States and the District of Columbia.
§3. Joint exercise of powers
Any power or powers, privileges or authority exercised or capable of exercise by a public agency of this state may be exercised and enjoyed jointly with any other public agency of this state having the power or powers, privilege or authority, and jointly with any public agency of any other state or of the United States to the extent that laws of such other state or of the United States permit such joint exercise or enjoyment.
Title 124 Municipalities
Chapter 1 General Provisions
Part 1 Intergovernmental Cooperation
124.1. Short title
This part shall be known and may be cited as the "Intergovernmental Cooperation Act."
124.2. Definitions
As used in this part:
- "Public agency" means any political subdivision or municipal corporation of this state and any agency of the state government or of the United States, and any political subdivision or municipal corporation of another state.
- "State" means a state of the United States and the District of Columbia.
124.3. Joint exercise of powers
Any power or powers, privileges or authority exercised or capable of exercise by a public agency of this state may be exercised and enjoyed jointly with any other public agency of this state having the power or powers, privilege or authority, and jointly with any public agency of any other state or of the United States to the extent that laws of such other state or of the United States permit such joint exercise or enjoyment.
Title 471 Local Government
Chapter 1 General Provisions
Part 1 Intergovernmental Cooperation
471.59. Short title
This part shall be known and may be cited as the "Intergovernmental Cooperation Act."
471.60. Definitions
As used in this part:
- "Public agency" means any political subdivision or municipal corporation of this state and any agency of the state government or of the United States, and any political subdivision or municipal corporation of another state.
- "State" means a state of the United States and the District of Columbia.
471.61. Joint exercise of powers
Any power or powers, privileges or authority exercised or capable of exercise by a public agency of this state may be exercised and enjoyed jointly with any other public agency of this state having the power or powers, privilege or authority, and jointly with any public agency of any other state or of the United States to the extent that laws of such other state or of the United States permit such joint exercise or enjoyment.
Mississippi Code of 1972Title 31 Public Business, Bonds and Obligations
Chapter 7 Public Purchases § 31-7-1: Definitions.
(b) "Governing authority" shall mean boards of supervisors, governing boards of all school districts, all boards of directors of public water supply districts, boards of directors of master public water supply districts, municipal public utility commissions, governing authorities of all municipalities, port authorities, commissioners and boards of trustees of any public hospitals, boards of trustees of public library systems, district attorneys, school attendance officers and any political subdivision of the state supported wholly or in part by public funds of the state or political subdivisions thereof, including commissions, boards and agencies created or operated under the authority of any county or municipality of this state. The term "governing authority" shall not include economic development authorities supported in part by private funds, or commissions appointed to hold title to and oversee the development and management of lands and buildings which are donated by private individuals to the public for the use and benefit of the community and which are supported in part by private funds.
§ 31-7-13: Bid requirements and exceptions; public auctions.(m) Exceptions from bidding requirements - Excepted from bid requirements are:
(xxix) Purchases made pursuant to qualified cooperative purchasing agreements. — Purchases made by certified purchasing offices of state agencies or governing authorities under cooperative purchasing agreements previously approved by the Office of Purchasing and Travel and established by or for any municipality, county, parish or state government or the federal government, provided that the notification to potential contractors includes a clause that sets forth the availability of the cooperative purchasing agreement to other governmental entities. Such purchases shall only be made if the use of the cooperative purchasing agreements is determined to be in the best interest of the government entity.
Chapter 70 Powers of Political Subdivisions to Cooperate or Contract with Governmental Units
70.210: Definitions.
As used in sections 70.210 to 70.320, the following terms mean:
(1) "Governing body", the board, body or persons in which the powers of a municipality or political subdivision are vested;
(2) "Municipality", municipal corporations, political corporations, and other public corporations and agencies authorized to exercise governmental functions;
(3) "Political subdivision", counties, townships, cities, towns, villages, school, county library, city library, city-county library, road, drainage, sewer, levee and fire districts, soil and water conservation districts, watershed subdistricts, county hospitals, and any board of control of an art museum, and any other public subdivision or public corporation having the power to tax.
70.220: Political subdivisions may cooperate with each other, with other states, the United States or private persons
1. Any municipality or political subdivision of this state, as herein defined, may contract and cooperate with any other municipality or political subdivision, or with an elective or appointive official thereof, or with a duly authorized agency of the United States, or of this state, or with other states or their municipalities or political subdivisions, or with any private person, firm, association or corporation, for the planning, development, construction, acquisition or operation of any public improvement or facility, or for a common service; provided, that the subject and purposes of any such contract or cooperative action made and entered into by such municipality or political subdivision shall be within the scope of the powers of such municipality or political subdivision. If such contract or cooperative action shall be entered into between a municipality or political subdivision and an elective or appointive official of another municipality or political subdivision, said contract or cooperative action must be approved by the governing body of the unit of government in which such elective or appointive official resides.
Chapter 4 Montana Procurement Act
Part 4 Cooperative Purchasing 18-4-401. Definitions
As used in this part, the following definitions apply:
- "Cooperative purchasing" means procurement conducted by or on behalf of more than one public procurement unit.
- "Local public procurement unit" means a county, city, town, or other subdivision of the state or a public agency of any such subdivision; public authority; educational, health, or other institution; to the extent provided by law, any other entity that expends public funds for the procurement of supplies and services; and any nonprofit corporation operating a charitable hospital.
- "Public procurement unit" means a local or state public procurement unit of this or any other state, including an agency of the United States, or a tribal procurement unit.
- "State public procurement unit" means a state department, agency, or official that expends public funds for the procurement of supplies and services.
- "Tribal procurement unit" means a tribal government, tribal entity, or official of a tribal government located in Montana that expends tribal funds or funds administered by a tribe for the procurement of supplies and services to the extent provided by tribal or federal law.
A political subdivision or school district may adopt any or all parts of this chapter and the accompanying rules promulgated by the department.
18-4-402. Cooperative purchasing authorizedThe department may participate in, sponsor, conduct, or administer a cooperative purchasing agreement for the procurement of any supplies or services with one or more public procurement units in accordance with an agreement entered into between the participants independent of the requirements of part 3. Cooperative purchasing may include purchasing through federal supply schedules of the United States general services administration, joint or multiparty contracts between public procurement units and open-ended state public procurement unit contracts that are made available to local public procurement units.
Chapter 13 Cities, Counties, and Political Subdivisions 13-2503. Terms, defined.For purposes of the Joint Public Agency Act:
(5) Public agency means any county, city, village, school district, or agency of the state government or of the United States, any drainage district, sanitary and improvement district, or other municipal corporation or political subdivision of this state, and any political subdivision of another state;
Notwithstanding any restrictions contained in a city charter, any power, privilege, or authority exercised or capable of exercise by a public agency of this state may be exercised and enjoyed jointly with any other public agency of this state and jointly with any public agency of any other state or of the United States to the extent that laws of such other state or of the United States permit such joint exercise or enjoyment. Any agency of state government when acting jointly with any public agency may exercise and enjoy all of the powers, privileges, and authority conferred by the Joint Public Agency Act upon a public agency.
Title 27 – Public Property and PurchasingChapter 232 Purchasing: Local Governments
General Provisions NRS 332.015 "Local government" defined
For the purpose of this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires,"local government" means:
- Every political subdivision or other entity which has the right to levy or receive money from ad valorem taxes or other taxes or from any mandatory assessments, including counties, cities, towns, school districts and other districts organized pursuant to chapters 244, 309,318, 379, 450, 473, 474, 539, 541, 543 and 555 of NRS.
- The Las Vegas Valley Water District created pursuant to the provisions of chapter 167, Statutes of Nevada 1947, as amended.
- County fair and recreation boards and convention authorities created pursuant to the provisions of NRS 244A.597 to 244A.655, inclusive.
- District boards of health created pursuant to the provisions of NRS 439.370 to 439.410, inclusive.
- The Nevada Rural Housing Authority.
- A governing body or its authorized representative may join or use the contracts of other local governments located within or outside this state with the authorization of the contracting vendor. The originally contracting local government is not liable for the obligations of the local government which joins or uses the contract.
- A governing body or its authorized representative may join or use the contracts of the State of Nevada or another state with the authorization of the contracting vendor. The State of Nevada or other state is not liable for the obligations of the local government which joins or uses the contract.
- Contracts which by their nature are not adapted to award by competitive bidding, including contracts for:
(m) Supplies, materials or equipment that are available pursuant to an agreement with a vendor that has entered into an agreement with the General Services Administration or another governmental agency located within or outside this state;
Title III Towns, Cities, Village Districts and Unincorporated PlacesChapter 53-A Agreements Between Government Units 53-A:1 Purpose.
It is the purpose of this chapter to permit municipalities and counties to make the most efficient use of their powers by enabling them to cooperate with other municipalities and counties on a basis of mutual advantage and thereby to provide services and facilities in a manner and pursuant to forms of governmental organization that will accord best with geographic, economic, population and other factors influencing the needs and development of local communities.
53-A:2 Public Agency DefinedFor the purposes of this chapter, the term "public agency" shall mean any political subdivision of this state or of any adjoining state and any quasi-municipal corporation, including but not limited to school districts, village districts, regional water districts, and special districts.
53-A:3 Joint Exercise of Powers.Any power or powers, privileges or authority exercised or capable of exercise by a public agency of this state may be exercised jointly with any other public agency of this state. Such authority shall include, but not be limited to, the power to enter into agreements to share tax revenues resulting from local economic development efforts and with respect to cities and towns, the power to form the entities and conduct the activities provided for in RSA 162-G.
I. Any 2 or more public agencies may enter into agreements with one another for joint or cooperative action pursuant to this chapter. Appropriate action by ordinance, resolution or other action pursuant to law of the governing bodies of the participating public agencies shall be necessary before any such agreement may enter into force.
Chapter 52:34-6.2 Cooperative purchasing agreements with other states for purchase of goods, services; rules, regulations
Section 7
a. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law to the contrary except the provisions of R.S.30:4-95, and as an alternative to the procedures concerning the awarding of public contracts provided in P.L.1954, c.48 (C.52:34-6 et seq.), the Director of the Division of Purchase and Property in the Department of the Treasury may enter into cooperative purchasing agreements with one or more other states, or political subdivisions thereof, for the purchase of goods and services. A cooperative purchasing agreement shall allow the jurisdictions which are parties thereto to standardize and combine their requirements for the purchase of a particular good or service into a single contract solicitation which shall be competitively bid and awarded by one of the jurisdictions on behalf of jurisdictions participating in the contract.
b. (1) The director may elect to purchase goods or services through a contract awarded pursuant to a cooperative purchasing agreement whenever the director determines this to be the most cost-effective method of procurement. Prior to entering into any contract to be awarded or already awarded through a cooperative purchasing agreement, the director shall review and approve the specifications and proposed terms and conditions of the contract.
(2) The director may also elect to purchase goods or services through a contract awarded pursuant to a nationally-recognized and accepted cooperative purchasing agreement that has been developed utilizing a competitive bidding process, in which other states participate, whenever the director determines this to be the most cost-effective method of procurement. Prior to entering into any contract to be awarded through a nationally-recognized and accepted cooperative purchasing agreement that has been developed utilizing a competitive bidding process, the director shall review and approve the specifications and proposed terms and conditions of the contract.
(3) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, any contracting unit authorized to purchase goods, or to contract for services, may make purchases and contract for services through the use of a nationally-recognized and accepted cooperative purchasing agreement that has been developed utilizing a competitive bidding process by another contracting unit 1 within the State of New Jersey, or within any other state, when available. Prior to making purchases or contracting for services, the contracting unit shall determine that the use of the cooperative purchasing agreement shall result in cost savings after all factors, including charges for service, material, and delivery, have been considered. For purposes of this paragraph, “contracting unit” means any county, municipality, special district, school district, fire district or any board, commission, committee, authority or agency, which is not a State board, commission, committee, authority or agency, and which has administrative jurisdiction over any district, included or operating in whole or in part, within the territorial boundaries of any county or municipality which exercises functions which are appropriate for the exercise by one or more units of local government, and which has statutory power to make purchases and enter into contracts awarded by a contracting agent for the provision or performance of goods or services.
Chapter 11 Intergovernmental Agreements and AuthoritiesArticle 1 Joint Powers Authority
11-1-2. Definitions.
As used in the Joint Powers Agreements Act :
A. "public agency" means the federal government or any federal department, agency or instrumentality; this state, an adjoining state or any state department, agency or instrumentality; an Indian nation, tribe or pueblo; a subdivision of an Indian nation, tribe or pueblo that has authority pursuant to the law of that Indian nation, tribe or pueblo to enter into joint powers agreements directly with the state; a county, municipality, public corporation or public district of this state or an adjoining state; a New Mexico educational institution specified in Article 12, Section 11 of the constitution of New Mexico; and a New Mexico school district;
If authorized by their legislative or other governing bodies, two or more public agencies by agreement may jointly exercise any power common to the contracting parties, even though one or more of the contracting parties may be located outside this state; provided, however, nothing contained in this Joint Powers Agreements Act shall authorize any state officer, board, commission, department or any other state agency, institution or authority, or any county, municipality, public corporation or public district to make any agreement without the approval of the secretary of finance and administration as to the terms and conditions thereof. Joint powers agreements approved by the secretary of finance and administration shall be reported to the state board of finance at its next regularly scheduled public meeting. A list of the approved agreements shall be filed with the office of the state board of finance and made a part of the minutes.
13-1-135. Cooperative procurement authorizedA. Any state agency or local public body may either participate in, sponsor or administer a cooperative procurement agreement for the procurement of any services, construction or items of tangible personal property with any other state agency, local public body or external procurement unit in accordance with an agreement entered into and approved by the governing authority of each of the state agencies, local public bodies or external procurement units involved. The cooperative procurement agreement shall clearly specify the purpose of the agreement and the method by which the purpose will be accomplished. Any power exercised under a cooperative procurement agreement entered into pursuant to this subsection shall be limited to the central purchasing authority common to the contracting parties, even though one or more of the contracting parties may be located outside this state. An approved and signed copy of all cooperative procurement agreements entered into pursuant to this subsection shall be filed with the state purchasing agent. A cooperative procurement agreement entered into pursuant to this subsection is limited to the procurement of items of tangible personal property, services or construction.
B. Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection A of this section, a cooperative procurement agreement providing for mutually held funds or for other terms and conditions involving public funds or property included in Section 11-1-4 NMSA 1978 shall be entered into pursuant to the provisions of the Joint Powers Agreements Act [ 11-1-1 NMSA 1978].
C. Central purchasing offices other than the state purchasing agent may cooperate by agreement with the state purchasing agent in obtaining contracts or price agreements, and such contract or agreed prices shall apply to purchase orders subsequently issued under the agreement.
Article 5A (Public Contracts)
Section 103
16. Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivisions one, two and three of this section, and section one hundred four of this article, any officer, board or agency of a county, political subdivision or of any district therein authorized to make purchases of apparatus, materials, equipment or supplies, or to contract for services related to the installation, maintenance or repair of apparatus, materials, equipment, and supplies, may make such purchases, or may contract for such services related to the installation, maintenance or repair of apparatus, materials, equipment, and supplies, as may be required by such county, political subdivision or district therein through the use of a contract let by the United States of America or any agency thereof, any state or any other county or political subdivision or district therein if such contract was let in a manner that constitutes competitive bidding consistent with state law and made available for use by other governmental entities.
The authority provided to counties, political subdivisions and districts therein pursuant to this subdivision shall not relieve any obligation of such county, political subdivision or district therein to comply with any applicable minority and women-owned business enterprise program mandates and the preferred source requirements of section one hundred sixty-two of the state finance law.
ARTICLE 20 Interlocal Cooperation
Part 1 Joint Exercise of Powers 160A-460. Definitions
[**Update notice: This section has been amended by S.L. 2001-78 SESSION 2001 - HOUSE BILL 880.]
This amendment is not included in the definitions below because it authorizes certain counties in North Carolina to transfer septic tanks, thus is not applicable to purchasing. Does not change the definition under Section 2. [JFH] The words defined in this section shall have the meanings indicated when used in this Part:
(1) "Undertaking" means the joint exercise by two or more units of local government, or the contractual exercise by one unit for one or more other units, of any power, function, public enterprise, right, privilege, or immunity of local government.
(2) "Unit," or "unit of local government" means a county, city, consolidated city-county, local board of education, sanitary district, facility authority created under Part 4 of this Article, or other local political subdivision, authority, or agency of local government.
Any unit of local government in this State and any one or more other units of local government in this State or any other state (to the extent permitted by the laws of the other state) may enter into contracts or agreements with each other in order to execute any undertaking. The contracts and agreements shall be of reasonable duration, as determined by the participating units, and shall be ratified by resolution of the governing board of each unit spread upon its minutes.
North Carolina Schools 143-129. Procedure for letting of public contracts(e) Exceptions. — The requirements of this Article do not apply to:
(3) Purchases made through a competitive bidding group purchasing program, which is a formally organized program that offers competitively obtained purchasing services at discount prices to two or more public agencies.
Chapter 54-40 Joint Exercise of Governmental Powers
54-40.3-01. Joint powers agreements - General authority
Any county, city, township, city park district, school district, or other political subdivision of this state, upon approval of its respective governing body, may enter into an agreement with any other political subdivision of this state for the cooperative or joint administration of any power or function that is authorized by law or assigned to one or more of them. Any political subdivision of this state may enter into a joint powers agreement with a political subdivision of another state or political subdivision of a Canadian province if the power or function to be jointly administered is a power or function authorized by the laws of this state for a political subdivision of this state and is authorized by the laws of the other state or province.
State of Ohio StatutesOhio Revised Rule
General Provisions
Chapter 9: Miscellaneous § 9.48 Joint Purchasing Programs (A) As used in this section, “political subdivision” has the same meaning as in section 2744.01 of the Revised Code and includes a county hospital as defined in section 339.01 of the Revised Code.
(B) A political subdivision may do any of the following:
(1) Permit one or more other political subdivisions to participate in contracts into which it has entered for the acquisition of equipment, materials, supplies, or services, and may charge such participating political subdivisions a reasonable fee to cover any additional costs incurred as a result of their participation;
(2) Participate in a joint purchasing program operated by or through a national or state association of political subdivisions in which the purchasing political subdivision is eligible for membership.
(3) Participate in contract offerings from the federal government that are available to a political subdivision including, but not limited to, contract offerings from the general services administration.
(C) Acquisition by a political subdivision of equipment, material, supplies, or services, through participation in a contract of another political subdivision or participation in an association program under division (B)(1) or (2) of this section, is exempt from any competitive selection requirements otherwise required by law, if the contract in which it is participating was awarded pursuant to a publicly solicited request for a proposal or a competitive selection procedure of another political subdivision within this state or in another state. Acquisition by a political subdivision of equipment, materials, supplies, or services pursuant to division (B)(3) of this section is exempt from any competitive selection requirements otherwise required by law. No political subdivision shall acquire equipment, materials, supplies, or services by participating in a contract under this section if it has received bids for such acquisition, unless its participation enables it to make the acquisition upon the same terms, conditions, and specifications at a lower price.
(D) A political subdivision that is eligible to participate in a joint purchasing program operated by or through a national or state association of political subdivisions in which the purchasing political subdivision is eligible for membership may purchase supplies or services from another party, including another political subdivision, instead of through participation in contracts authorized by division (B)(2) of this section if the political subdivision can purchase those supplies or services from the other party upon equivalent terms, conditions, and specifications but at a lower price than it can through those contracts. Purchases that a political subdivision makes under this division are exempt from any competitive selection procedures otherwise required by law. A political subdivision that makes any purchase under this division shall maintain sufficient information regarding the purchase to verify that it satisfied the conditions for making a purchase under this division. Nothing in this division restricts any action taken by a political subdivision as authorized by division (B)(1) of this section.
(E) The authorization granted to a municipal corporation under this section shall be in addition to, and not in derogation of, the powers and authority granted by state law, the Ohio Constitution, and the provisions of a municipal charter, ordinance, or resolution. Title 74 State Government
Chapter 31 Interlocal Cooperation Act § 74-1001. Purpose
It is the purpose of Section 1001[74-1001] et seq. of this title to permit local governmental units to make the most efficient use of their powers by enabling them to cooperate with other localities on a basis of mutual advantage and thereby to provide services and facilities in a manner and pursuant to forms of governmental organization that will accord best with geographic, economic, population and other factors influencing the needs and development of local communities. The cooperating governmental units can, if they deem it necessary, create an entity to carry out the cooperative functions.
§ 74-1003. Definitions.A. For the purposes of Section et seq. of this title, the term "public agency" shall mean:
- Any political subdivision of this state;
- Any agency of the state government or of the United States;
- Each and every public trust of this state regardless of whether the beneficiary of such trust is a municipality, a county, or the State of Oklahoma, except the Oklahoma Ordnance Works Authority;
- Any corporation organized not for profit pursuant to the provisions of the Oklahoma General Corporation Act, Section 1001 [18-1001] et seq. of Title 18 of the Oklahoma Statutes, for the primary purpose of developing and providing rural water supply and sewage disposal facilities to serve rural residents or to provide community-based services or assistance to clients of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services as provided in Section 43A- 2-106[43A-43A-2-106] of Title 43A of the Oklahoma Statutes; and
- Any political subdivision of another state. B. The term "state" shall mean a state of the United States and the District of Columbia.
A. Any power or powers, privileges or authority exercised or capable of exercise by a public agency of this state may be exercised and enjoyed jointly with any other public agency of this state, and jointly with any public agency of any other state or of the United States to the extent that laws of such other state or of the United States permit such joint exercise or enjoyment. Any agency of the state government when acting jointly with any public agency may exercise and enjoy all of the powers, privileges and authority conferred by this act upon a public agency.
Chapter 279A Public ContractingGeneral Provisions
279A.205 Cooperative procurements authorized
A contracting agency may participate in, sponsor, conduct or administer a cooperative procurement for the procurement of any goods, services or public improvements.
(1) A contracting agency may establish contract or price agreement through an interstate cooperative procurement only if:
(a) The administering contracting agency’s solicitation and award process for the original contract is an open and impartial competitive process and uses source selection methods substantially equivalent to those specified in ORS 279B.055 or 279B.060;
(b) The administering contracting agency’s solicitation and the original contract allows other governmental bodies to establish contracts or price agreements under the terms, conditions and prices of the original contract; and
(c) The administering contracting agency permits the contractor to extend the use of the terms, conditions and prices of the original contract to the purchasing contracting agency.
(2) In addition to the requirements in subsection (1) of this section:
(a) The purchasing contracting agency, or the cooperative procurement group of which the purchasing contracting agency is a member, must be listed in the solicitation of the administering contracting agency as a party that may establish contracts or price agreements under the terms, conditions and prices of the original contract, and the solicitation must be advertised in Oregon; or
(b)(A) The purchasing contracting agency, or the cooperative procurement group of which the purchasing contracting agency is a member, shall advertise a notice of intent to establish a contract or price agreement through an interstate cooperative procurement.
(B) The notice of intent must include:
(i) A description of the procurement;
(ii) An estimated amount of the procurement;
(iii) The name of the administering contracting agency; and
(iv) A time, place and date by which comments must be submitted to the purchasing contracting agency regarding the intent to establish a contract or price agreement through an interstate cooperative procurement.
(C) Public notice of the intent to establish a contract or price agreement through an interstate cooperative procurement must be given in the same manner as provided in ORS 279B.055 (4)(b) and (c).
(D) Unless otherwise specified in rules adopted under ORS 279A.070, the purchasing contracting agency shall give public notice at least seven days before the deadline for submission of comments regarding the intent to establish a contract or price agreement through an interstate cooperative procurement.
(3) If a purchasing contracting agency is required to provide notice of intent to establish a contract or price agreement through an interstate cooperative procurement under subsection (2) of this section:
(a) The purchasing contracting agency shall provide vendors who would otherwise be prospective bidders or proposers on the contract or price agreement, if the procurement were competitively procured under ORS chapter 279B, an opportunity to comment on the intent to establish a contract or price agreement through an interstate cooperative procurement.
(b) Vendors must submit comments within seven days after the notice of intent is published.
(c) And if the purchasing contracting agency receives comments on the intent to establish a contract or price agreement through an interstate cooperative procurement, before the purchasing contracting agency may establish a contract or price agreement through the interstate cooperative procurement, the purchasing contracting agency shall make a written determination that establishing a contract or price agreement through an interstate cooperative procurement is in the best interest of the purchasing contracting agency. The purchasing contracting agency shall provide a copy of the written determination to any vendor that submitted comments.
(4) For purposes of this section, an administering contracting agency may be any governmental body, domestic or foreign, authorized under its laws, rules or regulations to enter into contracts for the procurement of goods and services for use by a governmental body.
279A.200 Definitions for ORS 279A.200 to 279A.225
(1) As used in ORS 279A.200 to 279A.225:
(a) “Administering contracting agency” means a contracting agency that solicits and establishes the original contract for procurement of goods, services or public improvements in a cooperative procurement.
(b) “Cooperative procurement” means a procurement conducted by or on behalf of one or more contracting agencies. “Cooperative procurement” includes but is not limited to multiparty contracts and price agreements.
(c) “Cooperative procurement group” means a group of contracting agencies joined through an intergovernmental agreement for the purposes of facilitating cooperative procurements.
(d) “Interstate cooperative procurement” means a permissive cooperative procurement in which the administering contracting agency is a governmental body, domestic or foreign, that is authorized under the governmental body’s laws, rules or regulations to enter into public contracts and in which one or more of the participating agencies are located outside this state.
(e) “Joint cooperative procurement” means a cooperative procurement in which the participating contracting agencies or the cooperative procurement group and the agencies’ or group’s contract requirements or estimated contract requirements for price agreements are identified.
(f) “Original contract” means the initial contract or price agreement solicited and awarded during a cooperative procurement by an administering contracting agency.
(g) “Permissive cooperative procurement” means a cooperative procurement in which the purchasing contracting agencies are not identified.
(h) “Purchasing contracting agency” means a contracting agency that procures goods, services or public improvements from a contractor based on the original contract established by an administering contracting agency.
(2) As used in ORS 279A.210 (1)(a), 279A.215 (1)(a) and 279A.220 (1)(a), an administering contracting agency’s solicitation and award process uses source selection methods “substantially equivalent” to those identified in ORS 279B.055, 279B.060 or 279B.085 if the solicitation and award process:
(a) Calls for award of a contract on the basis of a lowest responsible bidder or a lowest and best bidder determination in the case of competitive bids, or on the basis of a determination of the proposer whose proposal is most advantageous based on evaluation factors set forth in the request for proposals in the case of competitive proposals;
(b) Does not permit the application of any geographic preference that is more favorable to bidders or proposers who reside in the jurisdiction or locality favored by the preference than the preferences provided in ORS 279A.120 (2); and
(c) Uses reasonably clear and precise specifications that promote suitability for the purposes intended and that reasonably encourage competition.
Title 62 Procurement (Pa.C.S.A.)Part I Commonwealth Procurement Code
Chapter 19 Intergovernmental Relations 62 Pa.C.S.A. § 1901. Definitions
The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Cooperative purchasing." Procurement conducted by or on behalf of more than one public procurement unit or by a public procurement unit with an external procurement activity.
"External procurement activity." A buying organization not located in this Commonwealth which if located in this Commonwealth would qualify as a public procurement unit. An agency of the United States is an external procurement activity.
"Local public procurement unit." A political subdivision, public authority, educational, health or other institution and, to the extent provided by law, any other entity, including a council of governments or an area government, which expends public funds for the procurement of supplies, services and construction, any nonprofit corporation operating a charitable hospital and any nonprofit fire company, nonprofit rescue company and nonprofit ambulance company.
"Public procurement unit." A local public procurement unit or a purchasing agency.
A public procurement unit may either participate in, sponsor, conduct or administer a cooperative purchasing agreement for the procurement of any supplies, services or construction with one or more public procurement units or external procurement activities in accordance with an agreement entered into between the participants. Cooperative purchasing may include, but is not limited to, joint or multiparty contracts between public procurement units and open-ended purchasing agency contracts which are made available to local public procurement units.
Rhode Island General LawsTitle 45 Towns and Cities
Chapter 40.1 Interlocal Contracting and Joint Enterprises § 45-40.1-1 Legislative purpose
It is the purpose of this chapter to permit local governmental units to make the most efficient use of their powers by enabling them to cooperate with other localities on a of mutual advantage, and, thereby, to provide services and facilities in a manner and pursuant to forms of governmental organization that will accord best with geographic, economic, population, and other factors influencing the needs and development of local communities.
§ 45-40.1-3 "Public agency" defined(a) For the purposes of this chapter, the term "public agency" means any political subdivision of this state, any agency of the state government or of the United States, and any political subdivision of another state.
(b) The term "state" means a state of the United States.
(a) Any power or powers, privileges, or authority, exercised or capable of exercise by a public agency of this state, may be exercised and enjoyed jointly with any other public agency of any other state or of the United States, and to the extent that laws of the other state or of the United States permit the joint exercise or enjoyment. Any agency of the state government, when acting jointly with any public agency may exercise and enjoy all of the powers, privileges, and authority conferred by this chapter upon a public agency.
Title 11 Public FinanceChapter 35 South Carolina Consolidated Procurement Code
Article 19 Intergovernmental Relations § 11-35-4610. Definitions of terms used in this article
As used in this article, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
(1) "Cooperative purchasing" means procurement conducted by, or on behalf of, more than one public procurement unit, or by a public procurement unit with an external procurement activity.
(2) "External procurement activity" means:
(a) any buying organization not located in this State which would qualify as a public procurement unit;
(b) buying by the United States government.
(3) "Local public procurement unit" means any political subdivision or unit thereof which expends public funds for the procurement of supplies, services, or construction.
(4) "Mandatory opting" is the requirement for a local procurement unit to choose whether to utilize a state contract before it is established as prescribed in regulation by the board.
(5) "Public procurement unit" means either a local public procurement unit or a state public procurement unit.
(6) "State public procurement unit" means the offices of the chief procurement officers and any other purchasing agency of this State.
Any public procurement unit may participate in, sponsor, conduct, or administer a cooperative purchasing agreement for the procurement of any supplies, services, or construction with one or more public procurement units or external procurement activities in accordance with an agreement entered into between the participants. Such cooperative purchasing may include, but is not limited to, joint or multi-party contracts between public procurement units and open-ended state public procurement unit contracts which shall be made available to local public procurement units, except as provided in Section 11-35-4820 or except as may otherwise be limited by the board through regulations.
Title 1 Chapter 1-24Any power or powers, privileges or authority exercised or capable of exercise by a public agency of this state may be exercised and enjoyed jointly with any other public agency of this state and jointly with any public agency of any other state or of the United States to the extent that the laws of such other state or of the United States permit such joint exercise or enjoyment. Any agency of South Dakota state government when acting jointly with any public agency may exercise and enjoy all of the powers, privileges, and authority conferred by §§1-24-2 to 1-24-9, inclusive, upon a public agency. The provisions of this section do not apply to the power to tax or police powers, unless jointly held or otherwise authorized by law.
Terms used in this chapter mean:
(1) "Participating public agency," any public agency which has elected to participate in a pool arrangement;
(2) "Public agency," any county, municipality, township, school district, consumers power district or drainage district of the state of South Dakota; any agency of South Dakota state government or of the United States; any political subdivision of this state; any political subdivision of another adjacent state; and any Indian tribe;
(3) "State," a state of the United States and the District of Columbia;
(4) "State agency," each association, authority, board, commission, committee, council, department, division, office, officer, task force or other agent of the state vested with the authority to exercise any portion of the state's sovereignty; provided that the term shall not include the legislative or judicial branch of the government of the state or units of local government, including but not limited to counties, townships, municipalities, chartered governmental units, or school or other special districts, or Indian tribes.
Chapter 9 Interlocal Cooperation
12-9-102. Purpose
It is the purpose of this chapter to permit local governmental units the most efficient use of their powers by enabling them to cooperate with other localities on a basis of mutual advantage and thereby provide services and facilities in a manner and pursuant to forms of governmental organization that will accord best with geographic, economic, population, and other factors influencing the needs and development of local communities
12-9-103. DefinitionsAs used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "Public agency" means:
(A) Any political subdivision of this state;
(B) Any private incorporated fire department and industrial fire department not supported by public funds or which are only partially supported by public funds;
(C) Any incorporated rescue squad that is not supported by public funds or that is only partially supported by public funds;
(D) Any agency of the state government or of the United States; and
(E) Any political subdivision of another state; and
(2) "State" means a state of the United States.
12-9-104. Interlocal agreements(a)(1) Any power or powers, privileges or authority exercised or capable of exercise by a public agency of this state, including those provided in § 6-54-307, may be exercised and enjoyed jointly with any other public agency of this state having the power or powers, privilege or authority, and jointly with any public agency of any other state or the United States to the extent that laws of such other state or of the United States permit such joint exercise or enjoyment. Any agency of the state government when acting jointly with any public agency may exercise and enjoy all of the powers, privileges and authority conferred by this chapter upon a public agency. The authority for joint or cooperative action of political subdivisions shall apply to powers, privileges or authority vested in, funded by, and/or under the control of their governing bodies and relative to which the governing bodies may make other types of contracts. No joint or cooperative agreement shall be entered into affecting or relating to the constitutional or statutory powers, privileges or authority of officers of political subdivisions, or of agencies of political subdivisions with a separate governing board and having powers granted by statute independent of the governing body. Notwithstanding any provision of the law to the contrary, any municipality may enter into an agreement with the sheriff, court of general sessions, and the governing body of any county in which it is located to provide for the enforcement of the municipality's ordinances according to the provisions of §§8-8-201(34) and 16-15-501. The agreement between the municipality and the county governing body shall be limited to provide that the cost of such enforcement will be borne by the municipality where the court costs paid over to the county, as provided by §16-15-501, are not adequate.
(2) Agencies of political subdivisions that have governing boards separate from the governing bodies of the political subdivisions may make agreements for joint or cooperative action with other such agencies and with other public agencies. The power to make joint or cooperative agreements includes any power, privilege or authority exercised or that may be exercised by each of the agencies that is a party to the agreement. Agreements between agencies of political subdivisions that have separate governing boards and other such agencies and agreements between such agencies and public agencies shall substantially conform to the requirements of this chapter. The governing bodies of such political subdivisions shall require agreements made by their agencies pursuant to this chapter to be submitted to the governing body for approval before the agreements take effect.
(b) Any two (2) or more public agencies may enter into agreements with one another for joint or cooperative action pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. Appropriate action of the governing bodies of the participating public agencies by resolution or otherwise pursuant to law shall be necessary before any such agreement may enter into force.
Title 7. Intergovernmental Relations
Chapter 791 Interlocal Cooperation Contracts
Subchapter C. Specific Interlocal Contracting Authority
§ 791.001 GOV'T. Purpose
The purpose of this chapter is to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of local governments by authorizing them to contract, to the greatest possible extent, with one another and with agencies of the state.
§ 791.003 GOV'T. Definitions
4) "Local government" means a:
(A) county, municipality, special district, or other political subdivision of this state or another state ; or
(B) combination of two or more of those entities.
SECTION 2. Section 791.011 GOV'T, Government Code, is amended by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (g) to read as follows:
(b) A party to an interlocal contract may contract with a:
(1) state agency, as that term is defined by Section 771.002; or
(2) similar agency of another state.
(g) A governmental entity of this state or another state that makes purchases or provides purchasing services under an interlocal contract for a state agency, as that term is defined by Section 771.002, must comply with Chapter 2161 in making the purchases or providing the services.
§ 791.025 GOV'T. Contracts for Purchases(a) A local government, including a council of governments, may agree with another local government or with the state or a state agency, including the General Services Commission, to purchase goods and services.
(b) A local government, including a council of governments, may agree with another local government, including a nonprofit corporation that is created and operated to provide one or more governmental functions and services, or with the state or a state agency, including the General Services Commission, to purchase goods and any services reasonably required for the installation, operation, or maintenance of the goods. This subsection does not apply to services provided by firefighters, police officers, or emergency medical personnel.
(c) A local government that purchases goods and services under this section satisfies the requirement of the local government to seek competitive bids for the purchase of the goods and services.
(d) In this section, "council of governments" means a regional planning commission created under Chapter 391,Local Government Code.
Chapter 13 Interlocal Cooperation Act 11-13-2. Purpose of act
It is the purpose of this chapter:
(1)to permit local governmental units to make the most efficient use of their powers by enabling them to co- operate with other localities on a basis of mutual advantage and thereby to provide services and facilities in a manner and under forms of governmental organization that will accord best with geographic, economic, population and other factors influencing the needs and development of local communities; and
(2)to provide the benefit of economy of scale, economic development, and utilization of natural resources for the overall promotion of the general welfare of the state.
As used in this chapter:
(8) "Public agency" means:
(a) any political subdivision of this state including, but not limited to, cities, towns, counties, school districts, and special districts of various kinds;
(b) the state of Utah or any department, division, or agency of the state of Utah;
(c) any agency of the United States;
(d) any political subdivision or agency of another state including any interlocal cooperation or joint powers agency formed under the authority of the law of another state; and
(e) any Indian tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community which is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians.
(9)"State" means a state of the United States and the District of Columbia.
(1) Any power or powers, privileges or authority exercised or capable of exercise by a public agency of this state may be exercised and enjoyed jointly with any other public agency of this state having the power or powers, privileges or authority, and jointly with any public agency of any other state or of the United States permit such joint exercise or enjoyment. Any agency of the state government when acting jointly with any public agency may exercise and enjoy all of the powers, privileges, and authority conferred by this chapter upon a public agency.
Title Twenty-Four Municipal and County GovernmentPart 2. Municipalities
Chapter 121 Intermunicipal Cooperation & Services
Subchapter 4 Interlocal Contracts 1 V.S.A. § 126. Municipality
"Municipality" shall include a city, town, town school district, incorporated school or fire district or incorporated Village and all other governmental incorporated units.
24 V.S.A. § 4901. Authorization(a) Any one or more municipalities may contract with any one or more other municipalities to perform any governmental service, activity, or undertaking which each municipality entering into the contract is authorized by law to perform, provided that the contract is recommended by a joint survey committee, approved by the attorney general as provided in section 4802 of this title, and authorized by a majority of the voters in each participating municipality at an annual or special meeting duly warned for that purpose.
(b) If the interlocal contract is such that the participating municipalities or their legislative bodies, commissions, boards, officers or voters have the authority to enter into it, by virtue of any charter provision, statute, or the general authority of such municipality or its officers and bodies, then the procedures of this section for approval shall not be exclusive, it being the intent that the powers and procedures set forth herein for interlocal contracts are supplementary to any other powers or procedures heretofore or hereafter possessed by any municipality.
Subtitle II Administration of State Government
Part B. Transaction of Public Business
Chapter 43 Virginia Public Procurement Act
Article 2 Contract Formation and Administration § 2.2-4304. Cooperative procurement
A. Any public body may participate in, sponsor, conduct, or administer a cooperative procurement agreement on behalf of or in conjunction with one or more other public bodies, or public agencies or institutions or localities of the several states, territories of the United States, or the District of Columbia, for the purpose of combining requirements to increase efficiency or reduce administrative expenses in any acquisition of goods and services. Except for contracts for professional services, a public body may purchase from another public body's contract even if it did not participate in the request for proposal or invitation to bid, if the request for proposal or invitation to bid specified that the procurement was being conducted on behalf of other public bodies. Any public body that enters into a cooperative procurement agreement with a county, city, or town whose governing body has adopted alternative policies and procedures pursuant to subdivisions 9 and 10 of § 2.2-4343 shall comply with the alternative policies and procedures adopted by the governing body of such county, city, or town.
B. Subject to the provisions of §§ 2.2-1110, 2.2-1111 and 2.2-1120, any authority, department, agency, or institution of the Commonwealth may participate in, sponsor, conduct, or administer a cooperative procurement arrangement on behalf of or in conjunction with public bodies, private health or educational institutions or with public agencies or institutions of the several states, territories of the United States, or the District of Columbia, for the purpose of combining requirements to effect cost savings or reduce administrative expense in any acquisition of goods and services, other than professional services. A public body may purchase from any authority, department, agency or institution of the Commonwealth's contract even if it did not participate in the request for proposal or invitation to bid, if the request for proposal or invitation to bid specified that the procurement was being conducted on behalf of other public bodies. In such instances, deviation from the procurement procedures set forth in this chapter and the administrative policies and procedures established to implement this chapter shall be permitted, if approved by the Director of the Division of Purchases and Supply. However, such acquisitions shall be procured competitively. Nothing herein shall prohibit the payment by direct or indirect means of any administrative fee that will allow for participation in any such arrangement.
Title 39 RCW Public Contracts & Indebtedness
Chapter 39.34 RCW Interlocal Cooperation Act RCW 39.34.020 Definitions
For the purposes of this chapter, the term "public agency" shall mean any agency, political subdivision, or unit of local government of this state including, but not limited to, municipal corporations, quasi municipal corporations, special purpose districts, and local service districts; any agency of the state government; any agency of the United States; any Indian tribe recognized as such by the federal government; and any political subdivision of another state.
The term "state" shall mean a state of the United States.
(1) Any power or powers, privileges or authority exercised or capable of exercise by a public agency of this state may be exercised and enjoyed jointly with any other public agency of this state having the power or powers, privilege or authority, and jointly with any public agency of any other state or of the United States to the extent that laws of such other state or of the United States permit such joint exercise or enjoyment. Any agency of the state government when acting jointly with any public agency may exercise and enjoy all of the powers, privileges and authority conferred by this chapter upon a public agency.
(2) Any two or more public agencies may enter into agreements with one another for joint or cooperative action pursuant to the provisions of this chapter: PROVIDED, That any such joint or cooperative action by public agencies which are educational service districts and/or school districts shall comply with the provisions of RCW 28A.320.080. Appropriate action by ordinance, resolution or otherwise pursuant to law of the governing bodies of the participating public agencies shall be necessary before any such agreement may enter into force.
(5) No agreement made pursuant to this chapter shall relieve any public agency of any obligation or responsibility imposed upon it by law except that:
(b) With respect to one or more public agencies purchasing or otherwise contracting through a bid, proposal, or contract awarded by another public agency or by a group of public agencies, any statutory obligation to provide notice for bids or proposals that applies to the public agencies involved is satisfied if the public agency or group of public agencies that awarded the bid, proposal, or contract complied with its own statutory requirements and either (i) posted the bid or solicitation notice on a web site established and maintained by a public agency, purchasing cooperative, or similar service provider, for purposes of posting public notice of bid or proposal solicitations, or (ii) provided an access link on the state's web portal to the notice.
Chapter 8 Municipal Corporations
Article 23 Intergovernmental Relations
Contracting and Joint Enterprises
Part II Intergovernmental Agreements and Contracts § 8-23-2. Definitions
For the purposes of this article: (1) The term "public agency" shall mean any municipality, county or other political subdivision of this State, or any county board of education of this State;
§ 8-23-3. Intergovernmental agreements generallyAny power or powers, privilege or privileges, authority or undertaking, exercised or capable of exercise, or which may be engaged in, and any public works which may be undertaken, by a public agency acting alone may be exercised, enjoyed, engaged in or undertaken jointly with any other public agency which could likewise act alone.
Any two or more public agencies may enter into a written agreement with one another for joint or cooperative action pursuant to the provisions of this section. Appropriate action by ordinance, resolution or otherwise pursuant to law of the governing bodies of the participating public agencies shall be necessary before any such agreement shall become effective. Any separate legal or administrative entity established hereunder is a public corporation and may exist for the length of time set forth in the intergovernmental agreement.
Subchapter III Intergovernmental Cooperation 66.0303 Municipal interstate cooperation
(1) In this section, "municipality" has the meaning given in s. 66.0301(1)(a).
66.0301 Intergovernmental cooperation- (a) In this section "municipality" means the state or any department or agency thereof, or any city, village, town, county, school district, public library system, public inland lake protection and rehabilitation district, sanitary district, farm drainage district, metropolitan sewerage district, sewer utility district, solid waste management system created under s. 59.70
- A municipality may contract with municipalities of another state for the receipt or furnishing of services or the joint exercise of any power or duty required or authorized by statute to the extent that laws of the other state or of the United States permit the joint exercise.
- An agreement made under this section shall, prior to and as a condition precedent to taking effect, be submitted to the attorney general who shall determine whether the agreement is in proper form and compatible with the laws of this state. The attorney general shall approve any agreement submitted under this subsection unless the attorney general finds that it does not meet the conditions set forth in this section and details in writing addressed to the concerned municipal governing bodies the specific respects in which the proposed agreement fails to meet the requirements of law. Failure to disapprove an agreement submitted under this subsection within 90 days of its submission constitutes approval. The attorney general, upon submission of an agreement, shall transmit a copy of the agreement to the governor who shall consult with any state department or agency affected by the agreement. The governor shall forward to the attorney general any comments the governor may have concerning the agreement.
Chapter 1 Intergovernmental Cooperation
Article 1 In General 16-1-101. Authority to cooperate
In exercising, performing or carrying out any power, privilege, authority, duty or function legally vested in any one (1) or more of them by Wyoming law, the state of Wyoming, and any one (1) or more of its counties, municipal corporations, school districts, special districts, public institutions, agencies, boards, commissions and political subdivisions, and any officer or legal representative of any one (1) or more of them, may cooperate with and assist each other, and like entities or authorities of other states, the United States and the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho Tribes of the Wind River Reservation. Cooperation may be informal or subject to resolution, ordinance or other appropriate action, and may be embodied in a written agreement specifying purposes, duration, means of financing, methods of operations, termination, acquisition and disposition of property, employment of executive and subordinate agents and other appropriate provisions