Fall 2007 AEPA Meeting-Day Two

Day two begins with bid awards. Also, as a side note, I picked up some great ideas in terms of marketing etc. from both Michigan and Iowa. Iowa prepares a front/back document for their superintendents that articulates total dollars spent for each vendor PLUS the dollars each school district saved by using AEPA. Michigan has the same "service" culture as Greenbush and uses direct contact with school administrators extensively including simple calls (everything old is new again!). Michigan is also exhibiting at their school business official convention this year for the first time so we plan to collaborate to learn from their upcoming experience with that group.

In terms of gross total sales through AEPA, Kansas ranks seventh out of 22 states...not bad, but we will do better!

I also would like to review Indiana's E-Procurement system.

• Artificial Turf bid awarded to: Atlas Tracks
• Tracks & Courts bid awarded to: multiple award to Atlas Tracks and Robert Cohen
• Hardwood and Synthetic Flooring bid awarded to: multiple award to Atlas Tracks and Robert Cohen
• Indoor and Outdoor Lighting Systems bid awarded to: no bids received
• Athletic Seating bid awarded to: Irwin Seating Company bid rejected
  

The following bids were EXTENDED:

• Administrative Software
• Ground, Tracks, Fields, Courts
• Library Books
• Athletic Equipment
• Carpeting
• Digital Copiers (Kyocera Mita has additional products)
• Roofing
• Vehicles
• Furniture
• Online Training
• Sports and Health Catalogs (Kansas will meet with BSN Sports staff to streamline the purchasing process for Kansas schools)
  
• Technology Catalogs
• Modular and Portable Buildings
• Office Supplies
• Classroom Supplies
• Web Based Auctions
• Administrative Software (Food)
  
• Administrative Software (Transportation)
• Administrative Software (Professional Development): MASTERTeacher is not extended
• Custodial Supplies
  

Fall 2007 AEPA Meeting

I plan to update my blog throughout the day on Tuesday and Wednesday with notes from the fall 2007 AEPA meeting:

• First on today's agenda is Arkansas' and Minnesota's status as AEPA members
• Arkansas: moved to terminate their membership due to inactivity (Arkansas purchases through TCPN), motion was seconded, motion passed. Arkansas is removed from AEPA, Inc.
• Minnesota: moved to terminate their membership due to conflict of interest with a national for profit purchasing organization (NJPA), motion was seconded, vote was 10-yes to 10-no, motion did not pass. Minnesota is still a member of AEPA, Inc.
  

• Next agenda item deals with expanding AEPA into non-AEPA states and how best to accomplish that goal. A sub-committee will be formed to study the issue further and bring a proposal to the spring 2008 AEPA meeting. Kansas volunteered to serve on this sub-committee.
• Partnership with AESA: comments were solicited from all states in regard to support/non-support of exploring a partnership with AESA. Many states wished to explore a partnership in some form. Questions include: 1) What will it cost AEPA? 2) What form of partnership will work best?
• AEPA will sponsor an event for the 2007 AESA Conference. $7500 is the cost and each member will pay a pro-rated share.
• Discussion on whether to hire a "President." A sub-committee will be formed and tasked with outlining the potential structure of AEPA staff.
• Requirements of Vendor Reports: New Mexico suggested the following categories for the report:
• name of school
  
• purchase order number
• date of sale
• amount of sale
• total
• administrative fee