Cooperative Purchasing Partnerships
For public sector and nonprofit organizations, procurement compliance and speed-to-hire often pull in opposite directions. Burnett Specialists (operating as Choice Specialists in Dallas) helps eligible agencies move quickly while staying fully compliant through two competitively awarded cooperative contracts: Choice Partners and HGACBuy.
If your organization is a member of either cooperative, you can engage Burnett / Choice Specialists for staffing and recruiting services without issuing your own RFP or running a separate competitive bid.
What is Choice Partners?
Choice Partners is a national purchasing cooperative operated by the Harris County Department of Education. The cooperative completes the legal, competitively bid procurement process so members can act immediately on contracts that meet government purchasing requirements, including EDGAR / Uniform Guidance / 2 CFR 200 standards. There are no membership fees.
Burnett / Choice Specialists Through Choice Partners
Burnett / Choice Specialists is an awarded Choice Partners contract holder for Staffing and Related Services.
- Contract Number: 25/032SG-08
- Initial Award Date: August 20, 2025
- Approved Services: Staffing and Related Services across Accounting / Finance, Administrative, Engineering, Executive, Call Center / Customer Service, Human Resources, Information Technology, Legal, Marketing, Sales, and Supply Chain
Who Can Use Choice Partners?
Membership is free and open to governmental entities and qualifying nonprofits, including:
- School districts, charter schools, colleges, and universities
- Cities, counties, and state agencies
- Other government bodies and 501(c)(3) nonprofits providing a government service
Texas members access contracts through an interlocal agreement. Members in other states follow their own state’s procurement laws.
How to Get Started With Choice Partners
1
Confirm or activate your Choice Partners membership at choicepartners.org/become-a-member.
2
View Burnett’s awarded contract details at choicepartners.org/vendor_details.php?id=5275.
3
Contact our team to align on hiring needs, timeline, and service type (temporary, temp-to-hire, direct-hire, or payrolling).
What is HGACBuy?
HGACBuy is an award-winning, government-to-government cooperative purchasing program operated by the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC). All contracts are awarded through a formal, competitively bid RFP process in accordance with public procurement statutes. With more than 40 years of cooperative purchasing experience, HGACBuy serves over 10,000 public sector and nonprofit organizations nationwide.
Burnett / Choice Specialists Through HGACBuy
Burnett / Choice Specialists is a fully approved, competitively awarded HGACBuy contractor for staffing and recruiting services. Approved services include:
- Temporary Staffing Services
- Temp-to-Hire Services
- Direct-Hire (Permanent Placement) Services
- Payrolling / Employer of Record Services
These services are available across operational, administrative, technical, and professional workforce categories.
Who Can Use HGACBuy?
Eligible participating members include:
- Cities, counties, municipalities, and state agencies
- Councils of government
- School districts, colleges, and universities
- Hospitals and hospital districts
- Emergency medical services and fire departments
- Law enforcement and judicial courts
- Utility districts and authorities (airport, port, water, toll road)
- Special districts and emergency communications districts
- 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organizations providing a government function or service
How to Get Started With HGACBuy
1
2
3
Connect with our team to confirm hiring needs, screening or onboarding requirements, and timeline.
Why Cooperative Members Choose Burnett /
Choice Specialists
Whether you engage us through Choice Partners or HGACBuy, member organizations gain the same advantages:
Procurement Made Easy
Engage under a pre-awarded contract with no need to issue your own RFP or bid.
Faster Time to Talent
Fill critical roles quickly while remaining fully compliant with public procurement requirements.
Reduced Risk
Contracts are awarded through a transparent, competitive process and administered by the cooperative, protecting your organization from procurement missteps.
Cost-Effective Access
Benefit from cooperative pricing and volume purchasing advantages.
Proven Public Sector Partner
Decades of experience supporting cities, counties, schools, healthcare organizations, and nonprofits across Texas.
FAQ
What is the difference between Choice Partners and HGACBuy?
Both are competitively awarded cooperative purchasing programs that let eligible public sector and nonprofit members use pre-bid contracts without running their own RFP. Choice Partners is operated by the Harris County Department of Education, while HGACBuy is operated by the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) and supports more than 10,000 members nationwide. Burnett Specialists / Choice Specialists is an awarded contractor on both, so members can engage us through whichever cooperative fits their existing procurement framework.
Do we need to issue an RFP to engage Burnett through a cooperative contract?
No. Both Choice Partners and HGACBuy contracts have already gone through a formal, competitively bid procurement process. Member organizations can engage Burnett / Choice Specialists directly under the pre-awarded contract by following their own internal purchasing guidelines. There is no separate RFP, bid, or solicitation required.
Is there a fee to join Choice Partners or HGACBuy?
No. Membership in both Choice Partners and HGACBuy is free for eligible governmental entities and qualifying 501(c)(3) nonprofits. Member organizations pay only for the actual staffing or recruiting services they use under the cooperative contract.
Can organizations outside of Texas use these contracts to engage Burnett?
Yes. Both Choice Partners and HGACBuy serve members across the United States. Members in other states follow their own state’s procurement laws when using a cooperative contract. While Burnett’s offices are located throughout Texas, our team supports member organizations nationwide.
