Bill > HB2032

This bill, known as the "Higher Education Purchasing Act," aims to allow eligible private colleges and universities in Tennessee to access the same discounted pricing on goods and services that public institutions currently enjoy through state cooperative purchasing contracts, which are agreements administered by the state for bulk purchasing. The act defines an "eligible private institution of higher education" as a private, nonprofit, accredited, and state-authorized college or university located in Tennessee. The intention is to reduce procurement costs for these private institutions, thereby freeing up more resources for instruction, student aid, and campus operations, and ultimately strengthening all of Tennessee's higher education institutions. Participation in these state contracts is voluntary for private institutions and will not require state funding or create any financial responsibility for the state, nor will it negatively impact the availability or pricing of goods and services for public institutions. The Department of General Services and the Tennessee Higher Education Commission will establish a simple, fee-free process for eligible private institutions to enroll and verify their eligibility, and vendors participating in these contracts are prohibited from retaliating against private institutions by refusing to sell or altering pricing due to their participation.