Buying Through the TRG Master Agreement: What It Means for Your Location
Ascension facilities will notice changes in how ID badging software, products, and services are purchased under the new TRG Master Agreement. While pricing and processes differ from past purchases, the Agreement provides standardized terms, pre-approved compliance, security protections, performance guarantees, included shipping, and multi-year price stability. This approach is designed to reduce risk, streamline purchasing, and eliminate delays caused by contract, security, and legal reviews, allowing locations to focus on operations while maintaining consistent, compliant service delivery.
🆕 For Ascension and Other TRG Associated Facilities Purchasing ID Badging Software Products & Services
Table of Contents
1️⃣ Why You’re Being Asked to Purchase Through TRG
Ascension has standardized its procurement process for certain products and services through The Resource Group (TRG). This ensures that vendors supporting Ascension facilities meet pre-approved requirements related to:
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Cybersecurity
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Data protection (PII)
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Insurance coverage
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Operational performance
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Support and response expectations
eXpress badging® now operates under a TRG Master Agreement, which means these requirements are already negotiated, reviewed, and approved — so your location does not need to repeat that work.
2️⃣ “Why Can’t I Just Buy the Way I Used To?”
We understand this question — especially if:
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You didn’t choose this vendor originally, or
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Pricing looks higher than past purchases
Here’s the practical reality:
🔹 Ascension facilities are not forced to use a specific vendor
🔹 But purchases must be made through an approved agreement
🔹 Buying “off contract” requires a new Master Agreement, which typically takes many months to a year.
For most locations, the TRG Agreement is the fastest, lowest-risk path to keep operations moving.
3️⃣ What’s Included in the TRG Agreement (That Wasn’t Before)
Many items that were previously implicit or assumed are now explicitly included and contractually guaranteed:
📦 Logistics & Shipping
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FOB Destination (risk stays with vendor until delivery)
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Standard ground shipping included
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Defined delivery expectations
🖥️ Software & Systems
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Software availability and uptime commitments
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Defined maintenance and update responsibilities
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Controlled data handling and access policies
🛠️ Support & Service
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Defined support response times
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Escalation paths
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Service accountability written into the contract
4️⃣ Understanding the Price Difference
You may notice pricing that differs from historical purchases. This is not simply a “price increase.”
What’s changed is what the price now includes:
| Previously | Under TRG Agreement |
|---|---|
| Variable terms | Standardized, locked terms |
| Informal support | Contracted response times |
| Assumed security | Audited security commitments |
| Separate shipping costs | Ground shipping included |
| Annual pricing changes | Prices locked for 3 years |
The Agreement trades short-term price variability for long-term predictability and protection.
5️⃣ Risk, Security & Liability Protections (Plain English)
This is one of the most important — and least visible — benefits.
Under the TRG Agreement, eXpress badging® maintains:
🔐 Cybersecurity Controls
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Industry-standard safeguards for systems handling employee identity data
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Regular security reviews and controls aligned with healthcare requirements
🧾 Insurance Coverage
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Protection against errors and omissions
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Coverage related to data handling and operational mistakes
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Financial protection that reduces risk exposure to your facility
🧍 PII Responsibility
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Clear responsibility for protecting personal identity information
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Defined accountability if something goes wrong
In simple terms: risk that used to sit quietly with the facility is now contractually shifted and insured.
6️⃣ Operational Benefits for Your Location
From an operational standpoint, the TRG Agreement means:
✅ Faster purchasing (no new contract reviews)
✅ Fewer compliance questions from IT or Legal
✅ Clear expectations for delivery and support
✅ Consistent experience across Ascension and other Corporate locations
✅ Reduced risk of delays due to procurement issues
This helps your team focus on running the facility, not managing vendors.
7️⃣ Common Questions We Hear
“Can we request another vendor?”
Yes — but that vendor must complete a full TRG Master Agreement process, which typically takes several months to a year.
“Are we locked in forever?”
No. The Agreement establishes approved terms, pricing, and protections for a defined period (including 3-year price stability).
“Is this just about compliance?”
Compliance is part of it — but so are predictability, support quality, security, and risk reduction.
8️⃣ Bottom Line: What This Means for You
The TRG Master Agreement is designed to:
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Reduce risk to your location
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Simplify purchasing
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Standardize expectations
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Protect Ascension facilities operationally and financially
- Reduce overall costs of healthcare operations
While the change may feel inconvenient at first, most locations find that once in place, it removes friction rather than adding it.
If you have questions about how this applies to your facility, pricing, or ordering process, our team is happy to walk through it with you.
📞 Need Help?
Contact your eXpress badging® representative or reach out to our support team for clarification specific to your location.