Industry Update: Concerns Over GOVMVMT Contracting Practice

Date: August 18, 2025

School Photographers of America is aware of a recent development involving Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) in Maryland, which has awarded a 2026 countywide contract using a non-profit government purchasing program called GOVMVMT. This contract, originally tied to a Kansas-based school district bid, was intended for school ID services but also includes an exclusive contract for school portrait services. This approach bypasses the traditional local bidding process commonly used by school districts for photography services. Under typical industry practice, school ID services are provided free of charge by the vendor selected for school portraits, making this combined contract structure unusual.

Key concerns being raised across the industry include:

• Cross-jurisdictional revenue sharing: A percentage of proceeds from portrait sales in Maryland may be directed to both GOVMVMT and the originating Kansas school district for contract management services.

• Restricted local competition: The cooperative purchasing model may prevent local and regional photography companies from participating, potentially eliminating school choice and competition.

• Lack of transparency: The bundled contract for a traditionally no-cost service (school IDs) effectively awards an exclusive portrait contract without a local bidding process.

Educational professionals are encouraged to understand these dynamics and consider how such agreements may affect school choice, local vendor access, and pricing transparency for families.

SPOA Says:

SPOA believes the GOVMVMT agreement, as applied in this case, sets a concerning precedent for the school photography industry. We do not recommend that school districts use this cooperative agreement.