Authorized employees of any state agency, department, office, institution, board or commission, or any Cooperative Purchasing member.

Some items appear in the MAC electronic catalogs that may also be offered from state organizations (OPI, OIH, DMH) or awarded on other state contracts (GDC, LDC). When these items are available from the above sources, the MAC electronic catalogs should not be used for purchasing these items. If you have any questions, refer to the Procurement Handbook

6. How do I navigate in e-BUY!Ohio?[Back]

1] Agency -- Any state department, office, institution, board, or commission.[Back]

2] General Distribution Contract (GDC) -- A General Distribution Contract (GDC) is awarded for goods and services that can be purchased by a agency.[Back]

USE OF MACs - Agencies shall give first consideration to making purchases of required supplies and services from existing DAS term contracts. When the required supplies or services are not available from an existing DAS term contract, the agency shall make the purchase from the MAC term contract. Exceptions to making the purchase from the MAC include:

a) Urgent requirements: When the ordering agency requires delivery of the supplies or services prior to the times stated in the MAC, the agency shall request the contractor, by mail (if time permits) or telephone (confirmed in writing), to state the best delivery that can be met to satisfy the needs of the agency. If the contractor is unable to provide accelerated delivery, the agency may procure the required supplies or services from another source.

b) Small requirements: When the contract includes a minimum order limitation, agencies are not required to make the purchase from the contractor for needs below this limit. The contractor is not required to accept an order for less than the minimum order limitation from the agency. However, if the contractor accepts an order of less than the minimum order limitation, the contractor is obligated to perform according to all terms and conditions of the contract.

c) Geographic area: When the contract defines geographic areas of coverage, the agency shall place orders with contractors serving the geographical areas in which the agency is located. If the agency is located outside of the geographical area, the agency is not required to use the MAC.

OIH, Inc. assists the 116 Community Rehabilitation Programs (certified State Use Work Centers) throughout Ohio that provide products and services manufactured or provided by people with disabilities.

6] Ohio Penal Industries (OPI) -- The Department of Rehabilitation and Correction's Ohio Penal Industries (OPI) produces cost efficient, quality products for institutions and agencies throughout Ohio. Working in an OPI Industrial Training Program provides inmates in Ohio prisons with the opportunity to develop proper work skills and acquire training which will translate into economic self-sufficiency upon release, thereby reducing recidivism. It also assists in the management of our prisons by keeping inmates occupied and supervised in meaningful work assignments while helping to defray the tax burden of their incarceration through productive labor. For more information, visit OPI's site. You may browse and shop OPI's catalog, but to order, you will need a user name and password.[Back]

7] State Term Contract (STC) -- A contract that covers the estimated requirements for a number of agencies for supplies or services that are used repeatedly or in significant quantities over a period of time, usually a year. Agencies place orders directly with term contract vendors for the quantity needed. [Back]

8] State Term Schedule (STS) -- An alternative method to purchase supplies and services with contracts negotiated between DAS and vendors for use by all state agencies and political subdivisions. State Term Schedules require the vendor to provide the state with either the manufacturer's Federal GSA pricing or their best commercial pricing. Strict guidelines govern the state's authority to accept and negotiate product, prices, terms, and conditions from qualifying companies. [Back]

9] State Use Committee -- The mission of the State Use Committee is to create employment opportunities that provide job training for people with severe disabilities. The program offers products and services that are suitable and mandatory for purchase by state, county, and local government offices under the authority of Ohio Revised Code sections 4415.31 through 4115.35. There are currently 115 qualified nonprofit agencies located throughout Ohio, certified to participate in the State Use Program.

The Ohio Department of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities acts as the lead agency for the 13-member State Use Committee, providing staff and supplies that enable the Committee to accomplish its mission.