Local Agency Contract Exchange – Returning to Core Principles of Transparency and Best Pricing

Los Angeles County (LACo) and County of San Diego (COSD) have initiated a regional lead-agency cooperative effort to establish a Local agency Contract Exchange (LACE) powered by the Public Purchasing Exchange (PPEx) technology hub and distribution channel.

The LACE lead-agency regional effort was established to address the challenges that occurred during the pandemic with the large number of national cooperative contracts.  This included both in the lack of transparency in the supply chain product availability and product pricing. 

The current system of national cooperative contracts was ineffective during the national emergency in responding since the system has become overly distributed; and has lost the focus of transparency of pricing for the best public pricing.  Public procurement staff must now search for and consider some 5,000 cooperative contracts for best value for their agency’s needs; and are not assured best pricing of similar goods under similar quantities and terms.

In the pursuit of an improvement in Public Procurement Leadership, full and open competition for Supplier awards, resulting in transparent and documented public benefit, LACE, LACo and COSD are returning to core contracting principles in this refreshed vision for the future of government contract exchange, with full procurement transparency and assured best government pricing. The vision includes the addition of the PPEx LACE technology hub assuring open online access, streamlined shopping & ordering and full transparency as to best value and pricing in one location for all LACE Suppliers through a single registration. 

Gerry Plummer, LACo, and Jack Pellegrino and Sean Behan, COSD, will lead a panel discussion on LACE at the CAPPO Annual Meeting on Monday January 22 during Breakout Sessions #1 from 10:45-11:45 AM. The panel will share the LACE vision, core principles, proof of concept, results achieved to date, and next steps. You are cordially invited to attend and learn more.

Session Date & Time: Monday, January 22: 10:45am - 11:45am

Session Room: Convention Center: Smoketree C

Session Title: From Pandemic to An Emerging Regional Cooperative Purchasing Model

PPEx and LACE Suppliers will also be available to discuss the program at the Vendor Expo on Tuesday, January 23, Booth 427, from 11:15 AM-4:30 PM.

We look forward to seeing you at the upcoming conference.