XL EagleCOSTARS (Pennsylvania COSTARS cooperative purchasing program)
COSTARS stands for Pennsylvania COSTARS cooperative purchasing program. COSTARS is the cooperative purchasing program of the Pennsylvania Department of General Services. It lets local public procurement units, such as municipalities, school districts, and authorities, plus certain nonprofits and state-affiliated entities, buy from suppliers that hold COSTARS contracts.
Suppliers become COSTARS contractors by being awarded under a COSTARS solicitation or a qualifying state contract and registering to participate. Members then buy directly from those suppliers.
Why it matters to a small contractor
For Pennsylvania trades and suppliers, COSTARS can be a shortcut to local government buyers who do not want to run a full bid. Being a COSTARS supplier also helps buyers find you in the program's supplier search.
Example
A township in Pennsylvania needs a new salt spreader. It buys from a COSTARS-registered equipment dealer at contract pricing instead of advertising its own bid.
COSTARS: common questions
Who can buy from COSTARS?
Registered members such as Pennsylvania municipalities, school districts, authorities, and qualifying nonprofits, under the program's rules.
Is COSTARS only for goods?
It covers goods and many services. Check the current COSTARS categories for your trade.
Want the contract without the paperwork? Send XL Eagle your price on an open government job. We write and submit the bid under our registrations, free to you. Find open jobs →