Frequently Asked Questions

A buying group is typically a collection of independent companies that combine their purchasing power to access better pricing. In many cases, the group purchases products and then resells them to its members.

A GPO works differently. Instead of buying products, it brings businesses together to negotiate better pricing and terms directly with manufacturers and suppliers. Members then access those savings through their existing purchasing process. The National Service Alliance (NSA), established in 1996, is a GPO built specifically for  commercial cleaners and facility maintenance companies

GPOs have been around since the early 1900s, originally in healthcare. Today, most hospitals in the U.S. use GPOs to reduce costs and manage purchasing, which shows how effective the model can be.

NSA negotiates better pricing across a wide range of products and services that building service contractors already use every day. This includes janitorial supplies, chemicals, paper products, equipment, office supplies, technology, transportation, uniforms, and more.

A full list of suppliers and categories is available under the “Partners” section of the NSA website.

No. You continue purchasing through your existing distributors as you do today.

When you join NSA, your distributor is notified, so you can access the contracted pricing and supplier programs on eligible products. Nothing changes in how you order; you simply benefit from better pricing.

In many cases, distributors already work with NSA and even recommend membership, as it helps improve value for their customers.

No. You’re not restricted and can continue buying from any supplier you choose.

However, NSA pricing and rebates only apply to products from partner manufacturers. If you choose to buy outside of those programs, standard pricing will apply.

NSA works with many of the most widely used brands in the industry, including 3M, Ecolab, Diversey, Kaivac, ProTeam, and Dell, so in most cases, the products you already use are covered.

Yes. NSA works with more than 70 manufacturing partners, including leading brands such as 3M, Georgia Pacific, Diversey, Rubbermaid and Karcher, covering a wide range of products used every day by building service contractors.

Savings typically range from 10% to more than 50%, depending on your current purchasing and suppliers.

Many members see meaningful reductions in supply costs, with some reporting savings of around 50% on tools, chemicals, and equipment.

NSA membership is typically best suited to larger commercial cleaning companies, where there is enough purchasing volume to benefit from supplier programs and rebates. As a guide, most members have annual revenue of $2 million or more.

Before you join, an NSA representative will review your current spend and provide a confidential cost analysis, showing the savings you can expect based on your business.

Yes. Members can access NSA pricing through the website, including supplier programs and product pricing from partner manufacturers.

Your NSA representative is also available to guide you and make sure you’re receiving the correct pricing through your preferred distributors and supplier partners.

Download the membership application from our website or call 800-322-2256 if you have any questions. Completed applications can be submitted by email at nsa@nansa.org.

You’ll receive an email when your membership is due for renewal. At that point, you can pay your membership fee via credit card or by sending a check to NSA.

Most GPOs, including NSA, are funded through membership fees and administrative fees from supplier programs, which are linked to member purchases.

Yes. In addition to better pricing, NSA partners provide training and industry resources to support your team. Members also have opportunities to test new products, take part in discussions, and stay up to date with developments across the industry.

NSA-hosted events and meetings give you a chance to share best practices, learn from others, and connect with peers.