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County Commission authorizes the Agreement of Participation with Avera PACE

The Minnehaha County Commission approved an agreement with Avera PACE that that will allow the county to purchase supplies and fixtures at a significantly reduced rate – in some cases as much as 80 percent.   

Avera PACE is a purchasing group that sells supplies and fixtures for jail medical in addition to other office supplies.  Governmental units including the Cities of Sioux Falls and Leola, SD participate in the purchasing group.  Avera PACE offers competitive pricing for medical supplies which are exempt from bid laws according to SDCL.  Manufactures are identifiable names such as McKesson and others.  

No fee is charged to Minnehaha County for participating in Avera PACE, participation is renewed annually, and Minnehaha County maintains the right to purchase similar supplies from other vendors. 

In cases where the county decides to buy bid-exempt products through Avera PACE, discounts as high as 80 percent are able to be obtained for certain items like lab supplies.   

Upon agreeing to participate in Avera PACE, the County will receive access to product lists and pricing.  Supplies can be purchased directly through vendors who are part of the Avera PACE network with the County’s Avera PACE participation number.   

The County will continue to maintain strict adherence to South Dakota law as it pertains to soliciting bids for products not exempted by state law.  The intent of participation in Avera PACE is to get access to more competitive pricing for products like medical supplies that are exempt from South Dakota bid statutes.