The Interlocal Purchasing System (TIPS)
About TIPS
The Interlocal Purchasing System (TIPS) is a leading national governmental purchasing cooperative, connecting members and awarded vendors through competitively bid contracts. With a proven, streamlined process, TIPS eliminates the purchasing stress for over 12,000 members in the education, government, and nonprofit sectors by contracting with “high performance” vendors across the nation. The ability to provide competitively priced purchasing contracts results in greater efficiency in the delivery of goods and services, therefore, causing both TIPS Members and Vendors to benefit economically!
TIPS Membership
TIPS currently serves entities such as state and local governments and non-profit organizations, including but not limited to:
- K-12 School Districts and Charter Schools
- Colleges and Universities (State and Private)
- Cities/Municipalities and Counties/Parishes
- State Agencies
- Emergency Service Districts
- Non-Profit Organizations
Benefit to TUG Members
Save Time & Money
No need to respond to multiple time-consuming individual customer bids.
Full-line of Contract Solutions
TIPS contracts are generally broad enough to allow your full line of products/services.
Leveraging Relationships
TIPS Members are directed to your company, not to TIPS, not to a pricing sheet.
Benefit to TUG Suppliers
Manufacturers gain a practical, high-impact growth advantage by connecting directly with an established network of over 285 TUG Members across the United States. Instead of spending time and capital trying to break into new markets from scratch, you get immediate access to an active, nationwide distribution footprint.
This broad exposure works on two levels:
- Stronger Member Partnerships: Your product lines are showcased directly to TUG Members, building the trust and buy-in needed to get your solutions actively recommended and moved through the channel.
- Direct End-User Demand: That visibility naturally carries over to end-use customers, the people actually using your products day-to-day, which helps build organic, ground-level demand.
By bridging the gap between key distributors and end users, this network helps you expand your footprint far more efficiently. It turns broad regional reach into consistent touchpoints, stronger relationships, and a steady stream of new sales opportunities across the country.
Not a TUG member yet?
Becoming a member of The United Group (TUG) empowers independent B2B distributors to compete effectively by leveraging the combined purchasing power of more than 1,600 companies across key industries—including food service, industrial packaging, janitorial/sanitary, and safety products. As a 100% member-owned buying group, TUG operates on a model of equal ownership and equal voice, ensuring that every distributor has an active, transparent stake in the collective’s direction. Beyond negotiating competitive volume pricing, rebates, and incentive programs with over 220 preferred suppliers, TUG provides members with advanced B2B technology dashboards, low operational overhead to maximize returns, valuable peer networking, and exclusive annual reward trips. This unique structure allows independent businesses to boost profitability, streamline purchasing, and scale their reach while retaining complete operational independence.
To join The United Group (TUG), interested B2B distributors can submit an inquiry through the online form on unitedgroup.com by providing their name, company details, email, and phone number. A TUG representative will then reach out to review eligibility, explain membership features and rebate structures, and walk your business through the enrollment process.