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Announcement
June 16, 2005 PDF File

School Code
105 ILCS 5/28A 5

ISBE Rules

  

Illinois School Purchasing NetworkIllinois School Purchasing Network (ISPN)

The Illinois School Purchasing Network offers all school districts in Illinois access to high-quality products at some of the best available government prices. The network was developed in response to Governor Blagojevich's call for the State Board to create savings opportunities that help Illinois school districts.

State Superintendent Dunn - "At the Illinois State Board of Education we need to do our part to help local school districts save money in their day to day operations. By launching the Illinois School Purchasing Network we will help local districts leverage group buying power. This initiative gives school districts one more option in their purchasing decisions."

Noteworthy:

Driving More Money into the Classroom: The Promise of Shared Services - A new report by Reason and Deloitte finds that saving just a quarter of the tax dollars spent by school districts on non-instructional operations could save $9 billion. To put this number in perspective, it is equivalent to more than 900 new schools or 150,000 additional teachers. "Sharing services gives schools and districts a great opportunity to send a lot more money straight to classrooms, where it belongs. With much of the education world facing tough budget decisions, sharing services is a dramatically under-used option that can yield significant results," said Lisa Snell, co-author of the report.

Automated External Defibrillators (AED) – The Department of Central Management Services (CMS) announced a new contract for defibrillators through the state’s Joint Purchasing Program. The contract was awarded to Cardiac Science Inc. for the First Save AED G3 ($995.00). For more information you can read the state master contract or contact Mary Kay Gonterman at CMS, (217) 785–3867.

Cardiac Science, Inc. also offers other defibrillator products and supplies through U.S. Communities. Hagemeyer, NA offers these products as part of their Homeland Security Solutions for 39% off published prices through U.S. Communities. For more information you can call, fax, or e-mail Hagemeyer’s customer service (phone, (888) 745-6486; fax, (843) 745-6831; e-mail, uscommunities@hagemeyerna.com). Be sure to tell customer service that you want to use the U.S. Communities contract number 0681406310. The Cardiac Science, Inc. product catalog is available online.

For more information about the state’s defibrillator compliance deadlines; number per physical fitness facility; approved training for the user; and defibrillator registration with a resource hospital contact the Department of Public Health, Division of Emergency Medical Systems, Bev Mercer (217) 785-2080.

Letter from
Dr. Dunn, State Superintendent PDF File

Legal Opinion by Jonathan Furr, ISBE General Counsel PDF File

Overview Power Point

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Products & Suppliers PDF File (Updated July 2007)

 

 

U.S. Communities

Public K-12 Schools and Regional Offices of Education can access multiple suppliers through US Communities:

U.S. Communities - Government Purchasing Saving You Money

US Communities is a national, not-for-profit, governmental purchasing cooperative that

  • charges no user fees;
  • provides a voluntary use program (optional and non-exclusive);
  • offers the best governmental pricing;
  • eliminates burdens associated with biding process; and
  • has a proven track record of saving money for school districts, which represent 34 percent of its client base

Eric Trimberger - "At Plainfield CCSD 202 we've been working with Office Depot through US Communities, and the savings we've realized have been a big help to our district. To put it in the simplest terms, we've saved enough money to fund a classroom teacher's salary and benefits for a full school year." Another advantage the district notes is the ability to purchase online with next day delivery (eliminating the need to buy in bulk and warehouse items).

ISBE Contracts
(under development)

 

In the near future ISBE will begin the process of certifying education purchasing contracts and designating statewide education master contracts. Check back for new developments.

 

Statewide Purchasing Programs PDF File (Updated December 2005)

 

Illinois schools have access to specialized purchasing programs offered by state agencies or associations. List of programs with descriptions and contact information.


Examples of Local Purchasing Programs PDF File

 

Illinois schools also have access to specialized purchasing programs developed by educational entities. The attached file provides three examples of programs that were created locally to meet a common need. Each organization approached a problem differently and used different resources to create a solution that was tailored to the product and the need.