IN THE SPIRIT OF THE FEDERAL ACQUISITION STREAMLINING ACT, TRICARE MANAGEMENT ACTIVITY AND CONTRACTOR, IMAGE MANAGEMENT ENTERS INTO A COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT TO FURTHER REDUCE THE ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS OF ACQUIRING COMMERCIAL ITEMS. THE BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT S (BPA) ELIMINATE CONTRACTING AND OPEN MARKET COSTS SUCH AS: SEARCH FOR SOURCES; THE DEVELOPMENT OF TECHNICAL DOCUMENTS, SOLICITATIONS AND THE EVALUATION OF BIDS AND OFFERS. TEAMING ARRANGEMENTS ARE PERMITTED WITH CONTRACTORS IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (FAR) PART 9.6. THIS BPA WILL FURTHER DECREASE COSTS, REDUCE PAPERWORK AND SAVE TIME BY ELIMINATING THE NEED FOR REPETITIVE, INDIVIDUAL PURCHASE FROM THE SCHEDULE CONTRACT. THE END RESULT IS TO CREATE A PURCHASING MECHANISM FOR THE GOVERNMENT THAT WORKS BETTER AND COSTS LESS.