AEPA

What is AEPA

The Association of Educational Purchasing Agencies (AEPA) is a multi-state non-profit organization made up of Educational Service Agencies / political subdivisions organized through a Memorandum of Understanding between all participating states.

We are a true “cooperative” who serves to leverage purchasing power to benefit all schools and agencies, regardless of size, with the ability to purchase at equal buying levels.

Greenbush is the designated Kansas member of the Association of Educational Purchasing Agencies (AEPA). This membership allows Greenbush to harness the purchasing volume of 28 states to bring competitively bid prices on high-quality products from vendors nationwide.

AEPA contracts are bid nationally and locally awarded – meaning Greenbush is the contract holder for each and every vendor on our bid list.

How do we work?

AEPA conducts bi-annual meetings where bid responses are reviewed and evaluated by all AEPA member agencies. Once bids are approved for award by AEPA, each AEPA member state selects contracts they feel will best help their respective states. Contracts are typically awarded for one base year, with options to renew for three additional years.

In addition to reviewing and awarding contracts, these bi-annual meetings serve to:

• Redefine organizational bylaws, policy & procedures
• Consider new state members
• Select product categories to solicit
• Select task groups and committee members

History

AEPA started in 2000 with 10 member states with purchasing professionals who had the mutual goal of securing combined volume purchasing contracts based on potential sales by qualifying customers in participating states using:

• Combined expertise
• Existing vendor relationships
• Experience & overall vision