Answer

Yes, Act 663 of the 2024 Regular Session, effective August 1, 2024, authorizes municipal and parish fire departments, volunteer fire departments, fire protection districts, municipal and parish ambulance services, ambulance service districts, municipal police departments, or related public safety departments or agencies to enter into agreements with qualified group purchasing organizations for purchases. The Act defines "qualified group purchasing organization" as follows: “an organization, whether for profit or not-for-profit, of which two or more of the public departments, agencies, or non-profit corporations described in [the Act] hereinafter referred to as fire, ambulance service, public safety, or police authority, are participating or voting members thereof and which solicit proposals or bids from vendors of materials, equipment, or supplies of the type and nature as may be purchased by any such department, agency, or non-profit corporation.” Note: The Act allows the purchase of materials, equipment, and supplies from a qualified group purchasing organization only when prices are less than those for substantially similar products on the state contract list or when similar products are not on the state contract list. So, entities should check if the item is on State contract prior to purchasing from a qualified group purchasing organization and document their files. Louisiana Legislative Auditor website: 06/22/2026 08:39:28 PM