Buy Security and Surveillance Work Through COSTARS
X-Pert Communications, Inc. is PA COSTARS Vendor #207933. Eligible schools, municipalities and public organizations can use our state contract and skip the time and cost of running their own bid.
What Is COSTARS?
COSTARS is Pennsylvania’s cooperative purchasing program, run by the Department of General Services (DGS). It lets local governments and state-affiliated organizations buy supplies and services through contracts the state has already put in place. Membership is free for eligible organizations.
Who Can Use It
DGS lists these kinds of organizations as eligible. DGS makes the final call on membership.
Local government
Municipalities, counties, commissions and public authorities.
Schools
School districts, plus tax-exempt nonprofit schools, colleges and universities.
Health and emergency services
Tax-exempt nonprofit public health organizations, and nonprofit fire, rescue and ambulance companies.
State-affiliated entities
Such as the State System of Higher Education and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission.
Others spending public funds
Such as councils of governments and organizations that receive public grant funds.
What Our Contract Covers
We hold a contract under DGS’s COSTARS program for Security and Surveillance & Fire Alarm Systems and Services. COSTARS members use it for our security and surveillance work, such as security cameras, video surveillance and access control.
Not sure whether your project fits? Ask us, and we’ll tell you before you spend any time on it.
How to Buy Through COSTARS
1. Confirm your membership
If your organization isn’t a COSTARS member yet, registration with DGS is free and done online.
2. Tell us about your project
We walk the site if needed and prepare a quote under our COSTARS contract, with our vendor number on it.
3. Issue your purchase order
Follow your organization’s normal purchasing process for a COSTARS purchase.
4. We install and document
Our team installs, tests and labels the system, and hands over the documentation.
COSTARS FAQ
Does it cost anything to join COSTARS?
No. DGS says membership is free for eligible organizations. You register online with DGS and receive a member number once you are approved.
Do we still need to bid the work ourselves?
COSTARS contracts are put in place by the state, so members get that pricing without running their own bid process. Your organization’s own purchasing rules still apply, so check with your business office or solicitor.
What is X-Pert’s COSTARS vendor number?
X-Pert Communications, Inc. is PA COSTARS Vendor #207933.
Is X-Pert a veteran-owned business?
Yes. X-Pert is a certified Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB), which can count toward your veteran-owned and small business goals.
Can you handle the cabling and electrical work on the same project?
Yes. Our Data and Electrical divisions do that work in-house. We’ll show you which parts of the project fall under the COSTARS contract and quote the rest alongside it.