One cooperative contract can create a pathway to thousands of public agencies.
Building relationships community by community matters, and companies need a scalable way for public organizations to buy. That’s where cooperative contracts can help.
About Sourcewell
AscendRural is a program of Sourcewell.
AscendRural is a program of Sourcewell, a government agency that connects suppliers with public agencies nationwide through cooperative purchasing. Suppliers compete through a rigorous public solicitation process, and awarded suppliers gain access to a network of more than 50,000 participating government and education agencies.
Suppliers don’t have to navigate a separate competitive solicitation for every potential public-sector customer. Participating agencies get an efficient purchasing pathway. Sourcewell completes the competitive solicitation process, while suppliers can continue leading with their own brand, local sales representatives, dealer networks, distributors, installation, and support.
The rural scale equation
Build credibility with trusted rural leaders.
Design around local needs, constraints, and priorities.
Create an efficient pathway for public agencies to buy.
Access a loyal market of 60 million people.
How a problem-based challenge works
- 1
The Challenge
Respond to a problem-based RFP when it opens: propose how your solution can support rural communities.
- 2
The Award
Strong responses are awarded a competitively solicited Sourcewell contract ready for use by thousands of public agencies.
- 3
Rural Impact
AscendRural programs, including an accelerator, buyer connections, and live demonstrations, help you adapt, prove, and scale in rural communities.
Ready to access rural markets with Sourcewell RFPs?
Create an account in Sourcewell’s Procurement Portal and provide your business information. You’ll get notifications about upcoming competitive solicitation opportunities.
Registration does not guarantee a contract. Suppliers must respond to an open solicitation and successfully compete through Sourcewell’s evaluation and award process.
Questions you may have
FAQ
Do all opportunities end in a cooperative purchasing contract?
No. Only our challenge-based RFPs can lead to a cooperative purchasing contract. Those opportunities live on the Sourcewell Procurement Portal at sourcewell-mn.gov/solicitations.
Does registering guarantee a contract?
Registration does not guarantee a contract. Suppliers must respond to an open solicitation and successfully compete through Sourcewell’s evaluation and award process.