"As an individual city bidding on products, the price we get comes down to supply and demand. If we are demanding a larger supply, in theory we should receive better pricing. This [Joining NEO|SO and utilizing its group purchasing programs] is just an avenue to combine our supply needs with other cities in order to see if there is a better price. We need to do whatever we can to save money."

~David Stone – Former Ravenna Street Superintendent in the Record Courier

WHAT IS NEO|SO?

NEO|SO is a Council of Governments organized under Chapter 167 of the Ohio Revised Code. Chapter 167 authorizes the governing bodies of any two or more counties, municipal corporations, townships, special districts, or other political subdivisions to enter into an agreement with each other for the establishment of a regional council of governments.

NEO|SO is empowered to conduct public sector bidding processes in accordance with the requirements detailed in the Ohio Revised Code. NEO|SO enters into contracts with the winning suppliers. NEO|SO Members can then utilize, at their discretion, any NEO|SO supplier contract without having to conduct their own public sector bidding process.

WHAT TYPES OF ENTITIES ARE ELIGIBLE TO JOIN?

NATIONWIDE, any municipality, county, public and private school district, public and private institution of higher education, special government district, and not-for-profit organization can join NEO|SO and utilize our group purchasing programs.

IS THERE A MEMBERSHIP FEE?

NEO|SO does not charge a membership fee. Instead, we have developed a pay-to-play model. NEO|SO generates revenue to cover the cost of our operations when your organization decides to take advantage of a product or service we offer. It is our responsibility to put together offerings that are compelling and provide value to our Members.

JOINING IS EASY

NEO|SO has developed a simple, fast process to enable local governments to join and begin using our programs immediately. Potential members can literally join the same day.

LEARN MORE

Please contact NEO|SO at 216.581.6200 to learn more about the membership opportunities and group purchasing programs that are available to your organization. We’ll provide you with the appropriate documents, customized for your organization, to review and execute.

NEO|SO

NEO|SO'S job is to save local
governments time and money on
an ongoing basis by identifying
opportunities to develop group
purchasing programs and
leveraging aggregated buying.

LEVERAGE MANIFESTS
itself IN THREE
CRITICAL WAYS:

Aggregating demand for
products and services leads to
cost savings.

Implementing sound
business practices
as shared services
across multiple organizations
avoids future costs.

Manage the
procurement process
from start to finish to
save our customers time, money,
and administrative headaches.