FirstChoice is a Texas non-profit corporation created and operated to provide "purchasing" (which is a governmental/administrative function pursuant to Chapter 791 of the Texas Government Code) of goods. The Cooperative satisfies governmental competitive bidding requirements pursuant to Texas Government Code Section 791.025(b), which notes that "a local government" may agree with another local gov
ernment, including a non-profit corporation that is created and operated to provide one or more governmental functions and services, "to purchase goods." Its purpose is to establish an association of healthcare providers, city and county municipalities, school districts and universities as a cooperative with emphasis on the administrative function of cooperative purchasing for all the members of the corporation. FirstChoice Cooperative is managed by FirstChoice Management Services, who administers and handles the daily activities of the Cooperative based upon the members' requests and recommendations. The members actually govern the activities and direction of the Cooperative through regular users meetings. Membership is open to all healthcare providers, city/county municipalities, nonprofits, school districts and universities.