Who can buy on cooperative contracts
Texas DIR cooperative contracts are open to Texas state agencies, local governments (cities, counties, special districts), public and private K-12 and higher education, public hospitals and hospital districts, volunteer fire departments, public safety entities, assistance organizations, and government entities outside Texas through an interstate agreement. OMNIA Partners contracts are open to public agencies, educational institutions, and nonprofits nationwide. If you are not certain you qualify, the safest step is to confirm with DIR or OMNIA before you buy.
Texas DIR eligible customers
DIR publishes the categories of customers eligible to purchase from its cooperative contracts. Eligibility can vary slightly by contract and service area, so confirm against the specific contract, but the categories are:
- Texas state agencies
- Institutions of higher education, public and private
- K-12 schools, public, private, and charter
- Local governments: cities, counties, special districts, and other political subdivisions
- Public hospitals, hospital districts, and hospital authorities
- Volunteer fire departments
- Public safety entities
- Assistance organizations
- ERCOT and the Texas Permanent School Fund Corporation
- Government entities outside Texas, through an executed Interstate Cooperation Contract
Buying from outside Texas
A government entity located outside Texas can use a DIR contract, but only after executing an Interstate Cooperation Contract with DIR. If your organization is out of state and you want DIR pricing, ask about the interstate agreement, or use a national cooperative like OMNIA Partners instead.
OMNIA Partners eligible agencies
OMNIA Partners master agreements are available to the public sector nationwide: states, local governments, K-12 and higher education, and nonprofits. Membership is free, with no fee to join and no spend minimums, so eligibility is broad and registration is straightforward.
How to confirm your eligibility
The categories above are a guide, not a substitute for the official eligibility determination. DIR maintains a customer-eligibility page and will confirm a specific organization; OMNIA confirms eligibility at registration. When in doubt, check before issuing a purchase order so the buy is clean.
Where Acachi fits in
Acachi works across both vehicles, so we can help you confirm which contracts your organization is eligible for and route a purchase to the right one. As a certified MBE prime contractor and authorized reseller, we keep the eligibility and the paperwork straight so you can focus on the requirement.
Related guides
Questions, answered.
Common questions from procurement teams.
Who is eligible to buy on Texas DIR contracts?
Texas state agencies, local governments, public and private K-12 and higher education, public hospitals and hospital districts, volunteer fire departments, public safety entities, assistance organizations, ERCOT, the Texas Permanent School Fund Corporation, and government entities outside Texas through an executed Interstate Cooperation Contract. Eligibility can vary by contract, so confirm against the specific one.
Can an organization outside Texas use a DIR contract?
Yes, but only after executing an Interstate Cooperation Contract with DIR. Out-of-state public entities that want a simpler path often use a national cooperative such as OMNIA Partners instead.
Who can use OMNIA Partners contracts?
Public agencies, educational institutions, and nonprofits nationwide. Membership is free, with no fee to join and no spend minimums.
Sources
This guide is general information, not procurement advice. Confirm current specifics with the official sources below.
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