What if school districts could buy supplies and services more cheaply, while cutting down on the administrative paperwork and hassles they contend with?
The key to having it both ways – cheaper and easier – is in a cooperative pricing system.
The New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA) offers a cooperative pricing system, which eliminates the need for districts to undergo the competitive bidding process on a wide range of technology products and services offered through the NJSBA TEC program.
The program, supported by the New Jersey Department of Education, enables school districts and member charter schools to purchase deeply discounted school technology, and access free and low-cost resources.
Districts that are members of the Alliance for Competitive Energy Services (ACES), the largest energy aggregation program in the state, are already members of the cooperative pricing system, and can begin purchasing off the cooperative pricing system at any time using procurement number #E-8801-ACES-CPS. To check to see if your district belongs to the NJSBA CPS visit staging.njsba.org/cps.
Districts that are not members of ACES may pass a resolution to join the NJSBA cooperative pricing system. More information on joining the cooperative pricing system, including a sample resolution and agreement, and a cooperative purchasing guide and rules are available on the NJSBA website at staging.njsba.org/cps.
Products included under NJSBA’s Cooperative Pricing System include:
VMWare VMware solutions ensure that students and faculty have access to educational resources anywhere and anytime – in the classroom, on a mobile device or from their home or any place where they have internet access. Products offered through the contract include data center virtualization and cloud infrastructure; storage and availability; hyper-converged infrastructure; cloud management; digital workspace; and more. Learn more atstaging.njsba.org/vmware.
E-Rate Consulting, Inc. NJSBA’s partnership with E-Rate Consulting, Inc. helps school districts and member charter schools throughout New Jersey fully leverage the opportunities available through the Schools and Libraries Program of the Universal Service Fund, more commonly known as E-rate. To learn more visitstaging.njsba.org/erate.
21st Century Classroom Solutions NJSBA has partnered with SHI to help schools save money on the items necessary to create a 21st century classroom, including makerspace furniture, 3D printers, laptops, tablets, workstations, installation services and more. Learn more atstaging.njsba.org/classroomsolutions.
Cybersecurity NJSBA has partnered with Carahsoft to offer cost-effective protection to help schools and districts secure their critical networks and digital information. Learn more at staging.njsba.org/cybersecurity.
Additional products and services in the NJSBA TEC program include:
Microsoft Enrollment for Education Solutions (EES) The Microsoft Enrollment for Education Solutions (EES) is a simple method of procuring the tools schools need to prepare students for the modern workplace as well as empower teachers to deliver 21st century digital learning. NJSBA members can save up to 40 percent on Microsoft products and services through the EES program. To learn more visit staging.njsba.org/microsoft.
Fusfoo Fusfoo.com is a no-cost website that allows high schools to combine all of their media, from the school newspaper to the school television station, onto a single platform. Fusfoo gives high schools a safe, bully-free space for students’ videos and articles to be created, curated, shared and consumed. Participating high schools will become part of Fusfoo’s national high school network where they can view and repost thoughtful, relevant and age-appropriate content created by fellow high school students across the country. Learn more at staging.njsba.org/fusfoo.
iSchool Initiative The iSchool Initiative provides unique services designed to help build positive culture and empower students to become lifelong learners and leaders. This exceptional program empowers students to have a voice in their education, supports teachers’ use of technology in the classroom, and works with board members and administrators to create a top-down vision for a bold, forward-thinking educational culture. The goal is to build an extensive community of lifelong learners and educational leaders throughout the state. Learn more at staging.njsba.org/ischool.
To learn more about the NJSBA cooperative pricing system and ways the NJSBA TEC program can help with your district’s technology needs, email [email protected].