If you’ve worked in the fleet procurement industry for any amount of time, you know just how difficult it is to buy fleet vehicles quickly, affordably, and within regulations. In 2021, more than half of all fleet managers (52%) said that their jobs were very challenging or extremely challenging, though almost three in four (72%) worked in fleets with ninety-nine vehicles or fewer.
That said, you may be able to buy fleet vehicles while minimizing the stressors of the traditional procurement process. It will require you to address old problems with new solutions, including the increasingly popular tool of cooperative contracts.
Here’s how it’s possible to buy public fleet vehicles without the headaches of yesterday.
Government-based fleet procurement is a constant source of vexation for seasoned CPOs and new professionals alike. According to a survey performed in 2021, common sources of headaches for public fleet procurement professionals include:
Public fleet procurement professionals have struggled against these obstacles for decades. However, due to the ingenuity of modern fleet management solutions, they can now be expertly side-stepped to make room for new opportunities.
Are you looking to purchase public fleet vehicles without the stressors of days gone by? Start with one or more of these expert-recommended suggestions.
1. Automate records
Consolidating all your records into a single source of truth could work wonders in streamlining your fleet procurement process. For example, the retrieval of critical documents may enable you to make better decisions regarding the lifecycle of your vehicles. Automating the cycle of paperwork for your fleet could even reduce inspection time by 65%, saving time, money, and extraneous effort in the process.
2. Install tracking software
Tracking the movements of your public fleet could provide enormous benefits to your institution. You can access real-time information about the performance of your fleet and keep an eye on driver compliance and stop potential problems before they start, saving thousands of dollars in unnecessary expenditures. In 2018 alone, GPS management systems were found to lower accident costs (between 16% and 30%), fuel costs (between 7% and 20%), and labor costs (9% to 25%) for those with an implemented system.
3. Look into cooperative contracts
Cooperative contracts are multi-member purchasing agreements made between multiple government agencies. They are available to various organizations throughout the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii. If you partner with the experts behind Sourcewell, you can access cooperative contracts at no extra cost.
You can use cooperative contracts to reduce multiple pain points while buying fleet vehicles. You can integrate your procurement process with nationwide contracts listed at affordable prices. Other benefits include:
Regardless of your organization's size or familiarity with cooperative contracts, Sourcewell enables you to browse hundreds of contracts before and after the free registration process.
Here at Sourcewell, we help public agency buyers procure fleet vehicles faster by fulfilling the time-consuming bid process for them. Through cooperative contracts, we expedite the fleet vehicle procurement process so you can better serve your teams.
Want a faster procurement process? Contact one of our specialists today to buy the fleet solutions you need!