COOPERATIVE PURCHASING

Saving Money Through Cooperation

By Cindy Ehlers

Each dollar saved through Cooperative Purchasing is a dollar you can use to fulfill another need! We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your participation in the Cooperative Purchasing program this past year. As a result of your participation and loyalty to the Cooperative Purchasing program, members across the state saved more than $4.2 million in 2008.

It is the mission of the Cooperative Purchasing program to provide you with the best value on quality products and services. By partnering with reputable vendors and combining the purchasing power of service cooperative members across Minnesota, we are able to accomplish this goal. We are constantly striving to better the program by adding new vendors and products. This year, we welcomed Tierney Brothers as the new vendor for Audio Visual Products, and SMART Boards and accessories, and added the following new products:

• eInstruction Interactive Whiteboards and accessories - BG Innovations
• Electronics - Tierney Brothers
• Green Cleaning Products - Arnold’s Supply and Ecolab
• Web-Based Applicant Tracking and Recruiting Services - AppliTrack

In addition to new vendors and programs on the local and state level, the Minnesota Service Cooperatives have joined the Association of Educational Purchasing Agencies (AEPA). AEPA is a 23 state buying group that secures combined volume purchasing contracts based on potential sales. This means that your organization, no matter the size, receives the same discounts as larger populated areas across the country.

• AEPA vendors include:
• BSN Sports/US Games – athletic and recreational equipment
• Konica Minolta – copiers
• Kyocera Mita – copiers
• Mity-Lite – lightweight furniture
• Modern Building Systems – mobile/modular buildings
• Mohawk Carpeting – carpeting
• Robert Cohen – athletic flooring
• School Specialty – consumable school supplies
• Tremco – facility asset management

The AEPA contracts, along with many SCSC contracts, are established through a formal bid process. The legislation that established service cooperatives (Minnesota Statute 123A.21) and enabled service cooperatives to bid on behalf of members (Minnesota Statute 471.345 Subd. 15) provides you with the authority to purchase from these contracts without further bidding - no matter the amount of the purchase.

Thank you again for your continuous participation in the Cooperative Purchasing program. Contact your Cooperative Purchasing team at any time if you have questions or would like information on any of our programs.

Cooperative Purchasing – member driven, member strong!