Contract Guidelines and Resources
CONTRACT Guidelines and resources
Fiscal Year 2026
The Office of State Procurement utilizes a number of methods to create and maintain contracts. Each method has a different set of rules and requirements associated with it. This section is to define and explain the different types and what requirements may be necessary to use them.
LaPS - Louisiana Pricing Schedule
Applies to contracts which were established as Brand Name Contract; LaMAS Contract; or in accordance with a Multi-State Cooperative Type Contract.
Agencies are encouraged to shop and compare products on these contracts, where same or similar items appear on more than one (1) contract, and to make a best value decision when making their selection. Where LaPS exist for the same or similar item(s), i. e. routers, fire trucks, microcomputers, and the total procurement exceeds $25,000.00, all eligible users of these contracts are to comply with the rules L.A.C. 34:V.1709 http://www.doa.la.gov/osp/agencycenter/memos/2008/OSP08-02.pdf. Rules require that agencies prepare Request for Responses and submit to at least three (3) LaPS contract holders, whenever available, offering functionally equivalent products and/or services that will meet their needs. Review the rules for additional information.
LaMAS - Louisiana Multiple Award Schedule
LaMAS is a program allowed by the Louisiana Legislature to establish Louisiana contracts based on pricing negotiated by the Federal Government in their General Service Administration (GSA) contracts.
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- Public entities may not buy directly from a GSA schedule.
- The Office of State Procurement will develop LaMAS contracts based on GSA prices.
- Not all GSA contracts will be converted to LaMAS contracts.
- All items on a GSA pricing schedule may not be on a LaMAS contract.
- Some LaMAS contracts will be line itemed and others may be a single line item catalog contract. Each contract will include instructions when appropriate.
- LaMAS contracts are established for convenience.
- Use is not mandatory.
- General Procedures that agencies will follow to use LaMAS contracts will be to analyze and compare like items(s) of at least three (3) contracts when multiple contracts exist for the commodity. See Section on LaPS (Louisiana Pricing Schedule) contracts.
- Agencies should consider factors important to their specific needs such as special features, probable life, warranty, maintenance availability, delivery, past performance, compatibility, environmental and energy efficiency.
- Agencies should document their business decision for the selection made.
Interested parties should review the rules and procedures and make an appointment or call the Purchasing Officer assigned to the commodity to discuss contract possibilities.
For microcomputers and peripherals, please access the Technology Center or visit the OSP Overview and Staff Directory page to locate contact names, telephone numbers and commodities.
Agencies should review OSP Memorandum 03-11 - LaMAS (Louisiana Multiple Award Schedules)
Brand Name Contracts
Brand Name contracts are usually developed because item(s) cannot be competitively bid and meet the need of the agencies, item(s) cannot be objectively evaluated using a competitive specification, or expertise is not available to develop a competitive specification.
Brand Name contracts may be discontinued if they are low demand or small volume.
Procedures for requesting Brand Name Contracts
Catalog Contracts
Catalog contracts may cover an a vendor’s entire catalog with restrictions. For example, contracts may be limited to a specific dollar amount, quantity, or some categories may be disallowed. Each contract will contain instructions.
In most cases, agencies are not required to utilize a specific contract. Rare exceptions may be mandatory and will be noted as such on the contract.
Website Internet Catalog Purchasing Information
Appendix A - Required, Optional, Prohibited Information
Appendix B - Guidelines for Obtaining Electronic Quote & Order Placement
