Diabetic Retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that weakens the blood vessels that supply nourishment to the retina (the light-sensitive lining in the back of the eye where vision is focused). These weak vessels can leak, swell or develop thin branches, causing a loss of vision.
A purchasing cooperative is a type of cooperative arrangement, often among businesses, to agree to aggregate demand to get lower prices from selected suppliers. Retailers' cooperatives are a form of purchasing cooperative. It is often used by government agencies to reduce costs of procurement. Purchasing Cooperatives are used most frequently by governmental entities, since they are required to follow laws requiring competitive bidding above certain thresholds.
While the overwhelming majority of grants are awarded to non-business entities (e.g., state and local governments, schools and universities, nonprofit organizations, etc.), many cooperative agreements and contracts are awarded to for-profit businesses. Below is an overview of the key differences between grants, cooperative agreements and contracts. In addition to grants, the federal government also awards funds directly to business entities through cooperative agreements. Like grants, cooperative agreements are typically awarded through a competitive process.