Program Descriptions

Coop Main Buy:
Nebraska ESU Cooperative Purchasing coordinates mass purchases on behalf of educational service units, public schools, and state colleges in Nebraska.  The objective of this effort is to obtain the best quality merchandise for the lowest possible price in order to conserve tax revenue.

Bids are sent to vendors nation-wide in December.  Awards are announced in February, and catalogs, with over 1,800 items, are distributed to all schools in March.  The orders are then sent to vendors in may and the merchandise is delivered to the ESUs and schools during July and August.  In 2003 over $3,700,000 in merchandise was purchased by ESU affiliated schools through the Coop Annual Buy.

The product categories offered are as follows:  Equipment and Related Supplies, General Supplies, Furniture, Paper, Maintenance & Shop Supplies, Health & Safety, Athletics, Hot Lunch, Science, and Art Supplies.

Food Program:
The prime vendor food program, established in 1995, provides food product to ESU affiliated schools state-wide.  The agreement with the prime vendor is for 3 years, with the schools committing to the program on a yearly basis.  The prime vendor offers his "full house" to the schools at prices established through a rigorous bid process.  All merchandise is ordered, delivered and billed directly to the schools.  Reporting, monitoring, evaluating, and providing supplemental services are the responsibility of Nebraska ESU Cooperative Purchasing.

In the 2007-2008 school year, over 115 school lunch programs participated by committing 5.4 million dollars to the program.  The participating schools purchased approximately 5.27 million dollars in food product and saved approximately 5%-10%.  The range of savings is due to total purchases and the use of drop-site incentives and early payment.

Custodial Program:
This program was originally developed to offer schools the availability of custodial supplies and equipment during a seven month purchase window.  The program has since been extended to offer schools these products year round with direct ordering, delivery, and billing.  Bids are taken by product line based on the vendors' "full house".  Two vendors are selected through the bid process, each serving a predetermined portion of the state.  Product price lists are delivered from each vendor to their respective schools prior to the beginning of the program at the start of each year.  School orders, direct delivery, and billing are all handled by the vendor.  Nebraska ESU Cooperative Purchasing monitors sales and reports each school's activity to the administration.

Total Purchases for 2008 were $1,881,335.69.
The prime vendors also offer in-service workshops and product shows for custodians throughout the year.

Special Buys:
The term "Special Buys" is given to all programs implemented by Nebraska ESU Cooperative Purchasing in addition to the major cooperative buy.  These purchase opportunities are conducted during the current school budget year to provide timely delivery of merchandise and/or specific brand name products.

Some highlights of special buys offered in 2005 include:

1.  The special buy on software from Software Plus included Adobe Licenses, Microsoft Licenses, and Symantec Licenses.  This program resulted in total sales of approximately $984,541.36.  This program is extended into 2006.

2.  There was a special buy on NovaNET software from Pearson Digital Learning.  This program resulted in $689,442.89 and has been extended into 2006.

3.  Fluorescent lamps, incandescent bulbs, & ballasts from Voss Lighting resulted in $82,323.40.  This program is extended to 2006.

NE ESU Cooperative Purchasing is constantly striving to offer the best and most beneficial programs for Nebraska schools.  To see all our current program, please visit our AEPA & Special Buys page to see what the Coop has to offer for your school.

Association of Educational Purchasing Agencies (AEPA):
The association of Educational Purchasing Agencies (AEPA) is a group of Educational Service Agencies/political subdivisions organized through Memorandum of Understanding between all participating states for the purpose of securing combined volume purchasing contracts based on potential sales by qualifying customers in participating states.  Of the many advantages to this unique purchasing group, are the combined human resources representing purchasing/bidding expertise, current and past vendor relationships, past experience and overall vision with regard to the needs of the qualified customers within each represented state.  Nebraska is a founding member of the AEPA, which started with ten states in 2000 and now has grown to 21 states representing over 18 million students.  The goals of the AEPA include:

*  Leverage the purchasing power to benefit all schools regardless of size, with the ability to purchase at equal buying levels.
*  Combine the potential needs of all schools to create an incentive to vendors to offer the best price and the highest quality product in the country.
*  Stream line the bidding and purchasing process through a single locally and nationally recognized legal purchasing solicitation.
*  Provide a single contract that is available statewide with one cooperative agency identified to function as the statewide contract facilitator and representative.
*  Become the national purchasing option and solution for interested qualified customers and vendors.

In 2005, Nebraska ESU Cooperative Purchasing participated in the following AEPA Programs:

1.  Carpeting
2.  Cars/Trucks/Vans
3.  Furniture
4.  Portable Buildings
5.  Roofing
6.  Technology Buy & Printers/Cartridges
7.  Office Products
8.  Athletic Field, Track & Court Surfacing
9.  Library Books
10. Athletic/Health Equipment & Supplies
11. Copiers

To learn more about the current AEPA programs offered, visit our AEPA & Special Buys page to see what products and services are offered year-round at discounted prices that can benefit your school.