Purchasing Through TIPS
Make Technology Procurement Simple, Compliant, and Fast
The Brass Effect, Inc. (TBE) is an awarded vendor with TIPS – The Interlocal Purchasing System, a national purchasing cooperative that lets public-sector entities buy from pre-vetted vendors using competitively awarded contracts.
Through our TIPS contracts, K–12 districts, higher-education institutions, and government agencies can procure:
- Structured cabling & communications (Division 27)
- Video security & access control (Division 28)
- Classroom and facility A/V systems
- IT, cloud, and cybersecurity solutions
- Telecom and connectivity services
—all under contracts that are already competitively bid, so you don’t have to run a new RFP every time you need technology work done.
- TIPS Vendor
- Contract #25010401 – Trades, Labor & Materials (Non-JOC)
- Contract #250106 – Technology Solutions, Products & Services
- Based in Frisco, TX • Serving DFW & North Texas
What Is TIPS and Why It Matters
The Interlocal Purchasing System (TIPS) is a purchasing cooperative that gives public entities a way to buy from awarded vendors using contracts that have already gone through a competitive solicitation process.
Instead of:
- Writing your own detailed specification
- Advertising and running a full bid or RFP
- Evaluating multiple vendors from scratch
…your organization can piggyback on TIPS contracts and purchase directly from awarded vendors like The Brass Effect.
Why public-sector clients use TIPS:
- Avoid the time and cost of issuing new RFPs for every project
- Work with vendors that have already been evaluated and awarded
- Provide boards, auditors, and purchasing teams with clear documentation
- Move technology projects forward faster while staying compliant
If long bid cycles are slowing down your infrastructure, security, or A/V projects, TIPS gives you a faster, compliant path forward.
Our TIPS Contracts
TIPS Contract #25010401 – Trades, Labor & Materials (Non-JOC)
Type: Non-JOC – Trades, labor, materials, and related services that are not treated as “public works/JOC construction.”
Use this contract when you need hands-on technology infrastructure work, such as:
Structured cabling and low-voltage infrastructure
MDF/IDF clean-up, rework, and organization
Racks, cable management, labeling, and documentation
Moves, adds, and changes (MAC work)
On-site troubleshooting and small-scope improvements
This contract is ideal when your project involves trades and installation work tied to technology, but your purchasing team does not want to run a full construction/JOC process.
TIPS Contract #250106 – Technology Solutions, Products & Services
Type: Technology solutions, products, and non-“public work” services.
Examples of scope under this contract:
- Network equipment, wireless systems, and related services
- Cameras and video surveillance equipment that run over the network
- Classroom and facility A/V systems and equipment
- Cloud-based services, software, and security solutions
- Backup, disaster recovery, and data protection
- Internet and network security services
- Telecom and connectivity solutions
Use this contract when you need:
- IT, cloud, and cybersecurity platforms and services
- Network hardware and licensing through our partner ecosystem
- A/V systems and control for classrooms, boardrooms, and training spaces
- Internet, WAN, and telecom/carrier services
- Managed technology services and ongoing support
Who Can Use TIPS to Work With TBE
Any eligible TIPS Member can purchase through our contracts. Typical members include:
Public and charter K–12 school districts
Colleges and universities
Cities, counties, and municipalities
Public safety agencies and facilities
Eligible nonprofits and other governmental entities
If you’re not sure whether your organization is a TIPS member, your purchasing department can verify this quickly or start the enrollment process. Membership is free for qualifying public-sector entities.
Not sure where to start? We regularly work with purchasing teams to confirm membership and align the right contract to the right project.
Have questions about eligibility? Start your technology request here.
What You Can Procure From TBE Using TIPS
Below is a high-level view of what you can bundle through our TIPS contracts.
Infrastructure & Structured Cabling (Typically 25010401)
- Cat6/Cat6A data cabling for classrooms, offices, and devices
- Fiber backbone installation and terminations between closets and buildings
- MDF/IDF build-outs, racks, patch panels, and cable management
- Labeling, testing, certification, and as-built documentation
- Moves, adds, changes, and on-site diagnostic work
Security & Access Control (Typically 250106, may combine with 25010401 for labor)
- Networked video surveillance systems
- Access control for doors, gates, and restricted areas
- Integration with existing video management and security platforms
- System optimization, monitoring, and lifecycle planning
A/V Systems & Collaboration (Typically 250106)
- Classroom A/V and display systems
- Conference and training room A/V
- Boardroom and council chamber A/V and control
- Wireless presentation, switching, and integrated control systems
IT, Cloud & Cybersecurity (250106)
- Network hardware and related support services
- Cloud backup, disaster recovery, and data protection
- Cybersecurity tools and managed security services
- Managed IT services aligned with your internal staff
Telecom & Connectivity (250106)
- Internet and redundant circuits
- WAN and SD-WAN services
- Voice/UCaaS solutions
- Carrier consolidation and optimization
If the work touches your low-voltage infrastructure, IT, security, or A/V environment, there is a strong chance it can be procured through one of our TIPS contracts.
How the TIPS Process Works With TBE
We keep the process simple for your IT, facilities, and purchasing teams.
Step 1
Confirm TIPS Membership
Your organization confirms it is a TIPS member (or enrolls). Membership is free for eligible entities.
Step 2
Define Your Scope With TBE
You share your goals, drawings, and constraints with us:
- Infrastructure (cabling, closets, pathways)
- Security and access control
- A/V for classrooms or meeting spaces
- IT, cloud, cybersecurity, and telecom
We help map that scope to 25010401, 250106, or a combination of both.
Step 3
TIPS-Compliant Proposal
We prepare a proposal that includes:
- Clearly defined scope of work
- Labor and materials tied to the correct TIPS contract
- The contract number and any details your purchasing team needs
- Pricing structured according to TIPS requirements (with the admin fee embedded, not itemized)
Step 4
Internal Review & PO
Your team reviews the proposal internally. Purchasing issues a purchase order referencing the appropriate TIPS contract number with The Brass Effect as vendor of record.
Step 5
Project Delivery & Reporting
We execute the work—design, installation, configuration, and turnover. In the background, we handle required TIPS reporting and administration fee payments so your procurement record stays clean and audit-ready.
We speak both IT and Purchasing. Our job is to make sure the scope makes sense technically and the paperwork makes sense for compliance.
When TIPS Makes the Most Sense
TIPS is especially useful when:
- You need to move faster than a full RFP cycle will allow
- You want a documented, competitive procurement path without re-bidding everything
- You want to bundle multiple scopes—cabling, security, A/V, IT—under one vendor
- You’re spending bond funds or capital budgets that demand clear documentation
- You want to reduce risk by using a vetted, experienced vendor for critical infrastructure
Even if your organization still bids out certain categories, TIPS can cover a large percentage of your technology and infrastructure work.
Example: District-Wide Technology Refresh Using TIPS
The situation
A K–12 district plans a multi-campus refresh: new wireless access points, classroom displays, and additional security cameras. The internal team doesn’t want to manage separate bids for cabling, A/V, and security.
The TIPS approach
- The district confirms TIPS membership and engages TBE.
- Together, we define a combined scope covering:
- Structured cabling and fiber
- Classroom A/V and displays
- Security camera cabling and network integration
- We prepare a TIPS-aligned proposal mapping labor and materials to 25010401 and technology components to 250106.
- Purchasing issues a single PO through TIPS. No new RFP is required.
- TBE delivers the project with one schedule, one point of contact, and one set of closeout documents.
The district modernizes its infrastructure and classroom technology using a single vendor and cooperative contract, while staying fully compliant with procurement policy.
TIPS & TBE – Frequently Asked Questions
Do we have to be a TIPS member to buy from TBE through TIPS?
Yes. Your organization must be a TIPS member to purchase through TIPS contracts. Most Texas school districts and many agencies already are. If not, your purchasing team can enroll at no cost.
How do we know which contract to use?
In most cases:
- #25010401 is used for Non-JOC trades, labor, and materials such as structured cabling and on-site low-voltage work.
- #250106 is used for technology solutions, products, and services, including A/V, security platforms, IT, cloud, and telecom.
We’ll help you align the scope with the correct contract(s).
Can we bundle cabling, security, and A/V under one project?
Yes. One of the main advantages of working with The Brass Effect is the ability to bundle multiple scopes into a single coordinated project. We can split pricing across 25010401 and 250106 as needed while you still work with one vendor.
How is pricing handled under TIPS?
Pricing is developed according to the TIPS contract terms. A small administration fee is built into the pricing but is never listed as a separate line item. Your quote will clearly show labor, materials, and services tied to the appropriate contract.
Does using TIPS replace our internal approval process?
No. TIPS satisfies the competitive procurement portion, but your organization still follows its internal approval policies (board approvals, budget checks, etc.). The difference is that the cooperative contract is already in place, so you can move much faster.
Who should be in the first conversation with TBE?
Ideally, we meet with a small group that includes:
- IT or technology leadership
- Facilities and/or operations
- Someone from purchasing or finance
That way, we can confirm technical requirements, scheduling constraints, and procurement expectations from the start.
Ready to Use TIPS for Your Next Project?
If you’re planning a new building, renovation, or district-wide technology upgrade, TIPS can save you months of procurement time while keeping you fully compliant.
The Brass Effect, Inc. (TBE) is ready to help you:
- Scope the work
- Align the right TIPS contract(s)
- Deliver a clean, well-documented project
