Alliance chooses eProcurement platform for its multi-state purchasing setup
The Lexington, Ky.-based Western States Contracting Alliance (WSCA) has selected SciQuest’s eProcurement solution as the platform for its multi-state purchasing consortium. With SciQuest, which is based in Cary, N.C., WSCA will create an online marketplace to enhance end-user buying activities, increase collaboration between states, improve strategic purchasing and expand visibility into spending.
WSCA is part of the Lexington, Ky.-based National Association of State Purchasing Officials (NASPO). WSCA and NASPO host more than 40 cooperative contract portfolios in which many states and political subdivisions participate. WSCA member states are Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
Using the SciQuest eProcurement platform, WSCA/NASPO will create an online marketplace, known as the Cooperative Market Center of the States (CMCS). The CMCS will empower public sector employees and suppliers with an online resource for streamlining the entire purchasing process. The online market center will include an online shopping environment for direct buying of goods and services by the WSCA/NASPO members from the WSCA/NASPO cooperative contracts as well a sourcing platform for multi-state cooperative activities.
“SciQuest was selected after an extensive competitive cooperative solicitation process, and we were impressed with SciQuest’s understanding of the public sector and our needs in particular. They have a proven history of implementing successful collaborative purchasing procurement solutions and have an impressive solution,” said Greg Smith, WSCA chairman.
“In today’s challenging economic environment, it is critical that public sector organizations automate purchasing processes and approach procurement more strategically. SciQuest helps us ensure that we are meeting our constituents’ needs in a fiscally responsible way,” Smith added.
President and CEO of SciQuest, Steve Wiehe, said he looks forward to working with the WSCA and NASPO organizations and all of their member states to automate procurement processes and drive savings in government purchases. “SciQuest understands the challenges that the public sector is facing with shrinking budgets and dwindling resources. By arming organizations like WSCA/NASPO with collaborative purchasing solutions, SciQuest is helping to create a buying environment for purchasers which is more accessible and efficient.”
SciQuest’s web-based eProcurement system helps users improve efficiency and save on their purchases of indirect goods and services. Fortune 1,000 companies and organizations in higher education, life sciences, healthcare and the public sector use the company’s eProcurement system.