In this episode of Setting the Standard, host Chris Coryell interviews David Mabe (Vice President of Construction & Founder of TIPS) and Brandon Rakestraw (Regional Sales Manager, Coryell Roofing) to explore how purchasing cooperatives are transforming procurement for public entities. Founded in 2002, TIPS (The Interlocal Purchasing System) now serves all 48 states, providing legally compliant procurement alternatives that save public agencies significant time and money.

David shares compelling research showing that traditional bidding costs public entities up to $17,000 per complex procurement, while cooperative purchasing eliminates these expenses entirely. The discussion reveals how the traditional "low bid" mentality often results in poor outcomes, with contractors disappearing after 18 months and substandard work that costs taxpayers more in the long run. Brandon explains how TIPS enables true partnerships between quality contractors and public entities, allowing schools and municipalities to select proven vendors for consistent, high-quality results. The episode highlights the recent legislative victory in Tennessee that now allows construction services through cooperative purchasing, opening new opportunities for rural communities that previously struggled to attract quality contractors. With over 100 roofing contractors in the TIPS network and 150+ procurement categories available, this episode demonstrates why cooperative purchasing represents the future of smart public procurement, combining cost savings, quality assurance, and compliance in one streamlined process.

Host: Chris Coryell, Coryell Roofing

Guests: David Mabe, Vice President of Construction & Founder of TIPS; Brandon Rakestraw, Regional Sales Manager, Coryell Roofing