Facts About The Local Government Purchasing Cooperative Rebate Program

The BuyBoard® rebate program was created in 2006 by The Local Government Purchasing Cooperative (Texas BuyBoard® or BuyBoard®) to help maximize value and distribute surplus vendor fees back to members. 

BuyBoard is funded by revenue received from vendor service fees. When a vendor is awarded a contract, they pay BuyBoard a service fee (a percentage or flat fee) for purchases they receive through the Cooperative. Those vendor fees cover BuyBoard’s operating costs. If in any year the fees collected exceed expenses, the Board of Trustees may return the surplus to members as rebates. Members do not pay to join BuyBoard — and they never pay additional fees to get a rebate.    

Here are some common questions about the BuyBoard rebate program and a look at the facts:

What Are BuyBoard Rebates?

BuyBoard rebates are funded by excess revenue received from vendor service fees and are distributed to active, qualifying members at the end of each fiscal year. To receive a rebate, the member must document qualifying purchases with BuyBoard, and the associated vendor(s) service fees must be paid.

How Are Rebates Calculated?

Purchase orders that have been entered and the service fee paid by the vendor from Sept. 1 through Aug. 31 may be eligible for a potential rebate from that fiscal year. Purchase orders that have been entered but the service fee has not been paid by Aug. 31 may be eligible for potential rebate the following year.

Do Members Pay For Rebates?

No. Member rebates are funded by excess revenue received from vendor service fees.

Do Rebates Occur Every Year? 

Rebates are not guaranteed in any given year and must be approved annually by the Cooperative's Board of Trustees.

Who Is Eligible To Receive BuyBoard Rebates? 

All active Texas BuyBoard members — including school districts, cities, counties, and universities — are eligible to earn rebates based on their BuyBoard purchases. Rebates go directly to the member entity.

Must Members Buy Exclusively Through BuyBoard To Earn a Rebate?  

No. As long as the BuyBoard member is active and has qualifying purchases from the previous fiscal year, they will be eligible to receive a BuyBoard rebate. Joining BuyBoard does not obligate an entity to purchase only from the Cooperative or to purchase from the Cooperative at all.