Rita Parker serves as the Program Coordinator for the Kansas City Regional Purchasing Cooperative program of the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC/KCRPC). She has 28 years of government procurement background; 11 years with a local government as a buyer and 17 years as the Program Coordinator for KCRPC. Since the KCRPC program began in April 2003, Rita has collaborated with multiple agencies in the Kansas City bi-state region of Kansas and Missouri, including city, county, EMS, Fire, Police, nonprofits, and Fire Protection Districts to develop, maintain, and market the cooperative agenda. Emphasis is on regional joint bids requiring participation upfront by local agencies for procurement process, consolidation of specifications, evaluation, and eventual contract awards. Rita administers all contracts issued by MARC/KCRPC and administers the interlocal partnership between MARC and Houston-Galveston Area Council (HGACBuy) for equipment and services purchased by MARC members.
Sessions
Cooperatives - Howdy, Neighbor! Regional Strategies for Procurement Collaboration