NCREL Policy Issues
Issue 15, January 2004
Policy Analysis
15. Volume-Purchasing Discounts for Technology
Volume-purchasing discounts seem a clear advantage that states can offer to educators—particularly if the purchases apply to hardware, software, and services across a range of vendors. That many states in the North Central region make little use of such discounts is surprising. Iowa, Michigan, and Ohio provide the most extensive volume-purchasing discounts. Iowa's area education agencies have negotiated statewide purchasing discounts for districts on hardware, software, and training materials. The state of Michigan sponsors and funds 22 regional educational media centers (REMCs), which provide a wide range of technology-related services to the local districts. One such service is providing statewide volume-purchasing discounts. The Ohio SchoolNet Commission makes available an online Equipment and Services Catalog, which features workstations, servers, laptops, printers, and other equipment.
Resources
Media and Technology for Iowa
Area Education Agencies
www.iec-ia.org/MediaTech/MediaTechMain.html
Cooperative Bid Catalog for
Michigan Regional Educational
Media Centers
www.remc.org/avbid/
Ohio SchoolNet Equipment and
Services Catalog
www.ohioschoolnet.k12.oh.us/4_resources/scheduling/default.asp?pg=3.1&keyword=231&days=&resource=scheduling&program=&wherefrom=home
