COSTARS is the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's cooperative purchasing program and serves as a conduit through which registered and eligible Pennsylvania local public procurement units (LPPUs) and Pennsylvania state-affiliated entities (together "Members") are able to leverage contracts established by DGS to cost-effectively and efficiently identify suppliers with whom to do business. The goals of this program are:
- To encourage, expand, and facilitate the opportunities for Members to achieve procurement savings and the best value through an interactive partnership with the Commonwealth
- To provide increased opportunities for Suppliers of any size to participate and compete for Members' business
- To provide contracts with competitive pricing