Page 10 - The Edge - Winter 2016

AASBO ALLIANCE PARTNER

BY DON HARRIS

Keystone Purchasing Network Can

Save Schools Time and Money

From arti cial turf to furniture and library supplies to ooring KPN decided to become an AASBO Alliance Partner because
and food service equipment, a Pennsylvania-based company it gives the company the opportunity to advertise in e Edge and
is o ering school districts across the country time- and money- provides more opportunity for recognition, Kimball said.
saving solutions. “We wanted to get more company recognition out West,
at company, Keystone Purchasing Network (KPN), is the especially in Arizona, because of the AASBO Summer Conference
latest to join the AASBO family as an Alliance Partner. KPN, which each year,” he said. “We have always had success at the conference,
has been in business for 42 years, has a long-standing history of which we have attended for the past four years. We enjoy meeting
helping schools and other agencies eliminate the time and cost of the attendees as well as the other exhibitors. Our experience has
bidding. always been great and we are grateful for the opportunity to market
“We advertise and solicit sealed bids, which are awarded to KPN.”
the most responsive and responsible bidders,” said Je Kimball, Because KPN continues to grow, adding members and new
Director of Cooperative Purchasing Services. “ e result is higher publicly bid contracts, it was decided that the partnership with
quality at lower prices.” the Arizona Association of School Business O cials “would be
KPN serves 481 school districts throughout the country, and has bene cial not only to KPN but also to the school districts,” Kimball
various nonpro t members in 37 states, including Arizona. e rm said.
provides cooperative purchasing services for eight school districts “We want to be able to get school districts to recognize KPN
in Arizona, plus Arizona Western College, Arizona Counseling because our ultimate goal is to save those schools money and
and Treatment Services, and Coconino County government. provide the best quality work,” he added.
Keystone has 18 national contracts with vendors of products In addition to K-12 public school districts, KPN serves tax-
and services, and KPN’s bid process satis es the procurement laws exempt nonpro t agencies such as local municipalities, county
governments, colleges and universities, career and technical
of most states. It participates as a member of the Association of
Educational Purchasing Agencies (AEPA). schools, non-public schools, charter schools and libraries.
KPN o ers a wide variety of contracts to help schools or
Kimball spelled out some of the reasons why school districts universities by cost-e ective ways to purchase such items as lockers,
should consider becoming a member of KPN. “ ere are no wall padding, tracks, sports courts, and turf for sports elds. KPN
administrative fees or surcharges assessed to members, you receive has a contract with Musco lighting to brighten up parking lots,
volume discount pricing on quality products and services, and indoor courts, or outdoor elds.
bidding on behalf of members eliminates duplication of the local rough a contract with Xpedx, KPN o ers multiple types of
bidding process,” Kimball said. commercial cleaning equipment, facility supplies, and personal
What’s more, KPN membership saves time and the cost of the care products. KPN also o ers contracts that will complete a
individual bid process, o ers a streamlined procurement process, classroom with ooring, furniture, interactive white boards, and
provides dedicated vendor representatives who assure satisfaction, much more, according to Kimball.
and keeps members apprised of additional discounts and savings “We give schools the opportunity to save money and time on
programs, Kimball said. any renovation project,” Kimball said. “Depending on the project,
“KPN conducts these key steps of bidding and awarding we save schools anywhere from 10 percent to 50 percent.”
contracts for commodities and services that meet our members Becoming a member of KPN is easy and free and there is no
purchasing needs,” Kimball said. “For example, we issue invitations obligation to purchase anything. You can ll out the application at
for bids and, as needed, requests for proposals; all contracts are www.theKPN.org and fax or email it to KPN.
publicly and competitively bid; we evaluate sealed bid responses; “We’ll send a welcome letter and a packet of the 18 national
and contracts are awarded to the lowest responsive responsible contracts,” Kimball said. “Basically, schools, government agencies
bidder.” and other nonpro t institutions can piggyback on money-saving
Finally, contracts are approved by the Board of Directors of contracts available through our national cooperative purchasing
the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit, which initiated program – e Keystone Purchasing Network.”
its cooperative purchasing program in 1974. CSIU spawned the For more information, call: (888) 490-3182; email to: info@theKPN.
national program known as the Keystone Purchasing Network. org or visit the website: www.theKPN.org.

10 THE EDGE | WINTER 2016