1.    The State enters into annual contracts with vendors to acquire favorable prices for many frequently used items, commonly referred to as State contracts. The State has contracts with several hundred suppliers, covering thousands of items.

2.    All State agencies, including General Administration, are required to purchase needed items from vendors under State contract. To purchase items similar to those on contract and designed to perform the same function, special approval from the State Purchase and Contract Division must be obtained, and written justification must accompany the request for approval.

3.     The following broad classifications of items are on contract:

• Audio-visual equipment
• Automobiles and trucks
• Cleaning supplies and equipment
• Closed circuit video equipment
• Computer equipment and peripherals
• Furniture - office chairs and desks, lounge furniture
• Household electrical appliances
• Office machines - adding machines, and calculators
• Paper products, both fine and coarse
• Uniforms and some textiles

4.    The Purchasing Office has information on all pertinent State contracts and will provide detailed information about the contract items to a department upon request. This information is available online at location: http://www.pandc.nc.gov/StateWideContracts.htm