- Purpose
This policy affirms All Star Purchasing’s commitment to full compliance with applicable antitrust and competition laws. As a Group Purchasing Organization (GPO), we serve multiple members and suppliers, and must ensure our activities promote lawful, pro-competitive practices.
- Policy Statement
All Star Purchasing prohibits any conduct that could be interpreted as anticompetitive or in violation of federal or state antitrust laws. This includes but is not limited to agreements or practices among competitors that unreasonably restrain trade, fix prices, allocate markets, or boycott suppliers or customers.
- Prohibited Activities
The following actions are strictly prohibited:
- Price Fixing: Discussing or coordinating prices, pricing policies, discounts, or bids with competing GPOs or suppliers;
- Market Allocation: Agreements to divide territories, customers, or services;
- Bid Rigging: Coordinating bids or agreeing not to compete on bids or RFPs.
- Group Boycotts: Colluding with members or suppliers to refuse to deal with a specific party.
- Exclusionary Practices: Using market power to unlawfully exclude competitors or suppliers.
- Independent Decisions
All Star Purchasing will not sponsor, approve or knowingly be a party to any agreements, whether expressed or implied, which in a way restricts members’ freedom to make independent, competitive decisions.
- Meetings and Communications
All meetings, including member advisory councils, supplier discussions, or industry events, must comply with this policy. Antitrust counsel should be consulted in advance of:
- Any meeting involving competitors.
- Discussions around pricing, market strategy, or exclusive arrangements.
- Reporting and Enforcement
Violations of this policy may result in disciplinary action, including exclusion from All Star events and loss of membership in All Star. All Star Purchasing prohibits retaliation against any individual who reports a concern in good faith.
Effective 05/01/25