Thursday, April 28, 2022

Free ServSafe Classes!

Did you know that the AEA Purchasing Food Team offers FREE ServSafe classes to its members? 

ServSafe is a food safety course and certificate program that teaches participants how to receive, store and prepare food safely.  Iowa's current food code requires that each food service establishment (including schools) have a Certified Food Protection Manager on staff, and successful completion of the ServSafe class and exam fulfill this requirement.

Iowa schools that participate in AEA Purchasing's prime vendor food contract may sign up any of their foodservice team members free of charge. Non-participating schools are eligible to take the class for a fee. 

Check out this flyer for more information. With 12 classes across the state, there are lots of options to attend! Reach out to Barb Adams for more information. 

Wednesday, April 27, 2022

Ways to Save on Furniture with School Specialty

School Specialty and AEA Purchasing are excited to introduce two new ways for Iowa schools to purchase and save on interior furnishings! 

Through the AEA Purchasing contract with AEPA, Iowa schools receive a 14% discount on individual furniture pieces (a few replacement chairs or student desks, etc.). If you purchase online, you are also eligible for an additional 1% rebate at the end of the year from School Specialty!

Under the latest contract (#IFB022-A), discounts are offered on over 60 manufacturers for projects and renovations of all kinds. In addition, Iowa schools will receive the following:

  • Free shipping on all furniture

  • A dedicated team of field Learning Environments representatives that will work closely with your school to provide renderings and idea starters for your spaces

  • Free access to School Specialty's Projects by Design service which includes on-staff designers and project managers to take a project from beginning to end

  • All ONLINE orders qualify for an additional 1% annual rebate

For more information on the furniture lines and bid discounts available to you via the AEA Purchasing and School Specialty partnership, view this flyer. 

Happy saving!

Wednesday, April 20, 2022

LIVE Demo from TinyEYE Therapy

TinyEYE Therapy Services will be hosting a LIVE demo of their online therapy platform and would love to visit with your school to discuss the many ways their services can help you supplement and support your current speech, OT, and mental health outreach.

Plan to join us virtually on Friday, April 29, 2022, from 10:00-10:30 CST. Email joni@aeapurchasing.org for a calendar invite or join using this link.

TinyEYE Therapy Services: Live Demo
Friday, April 29, 2022
10:00-10:30 CST
Join here or email joni@aeapurchasing.org for a calendar invite

Iowa schools can save on contracted services from TinyEYE Therapy using the "AEA Purchasing/AEPA 022-B" contract!

For more information on the live demo, contact:

Tiny Eye Therapy
Brenda Selk-Lang
1-877-846-9393 x205
Brenda.Selk@TinyEYE.com
https://tinyeye.com/aea/


Monday, April 18, 2022

April Program Highlights

Here's the latest in purchasing news you need to know from AEA Purchasing!

NEW! Contracts for 2022-23
As we welcome a new season, we also welcome NEW! vendor partners to our contract roster. Check out who's new below! (Click on the vendor's name for more information.)

AmTab | Demco | Lakeshore Learning | Meteor Education (Premier F+E) | Medicaleshop Inc | TinyEye Therapy Services | Trex dba Staging Concepts

Summer 2022 Paper Buy
The time is NOW to order paper! Our Summer 2022 paper buy is open. Place your orders BEFORE May 20 for delivery expected on or before September 2. Check out our paper buy profile page for complete details.

Free ServSafe Classes
It's time to sign up for our summer ServSafe® classes! AEA Purchasing Members that participate in the Prime Vendor Food contract may sign up for free. Non-AEA Purchasing members are eligible to take the class for a fee.  Iowa's current food code requires that each food service establishment (including schools) have a Certified Food Protection Manager on staff, and successful completion of the ServSafe class and exam fulfill this requirement. For more information or to sign up, click here!  

Buildings & Grounds Purchasing Program
Our Buildings & Grounds program covers everything your school might need to keep your buildings and campuses running in tip-top shape. For a list of vendor partners in this area as well as an outline of products under contract, click here!

Follow us on social media to see what we are up to! You can find us on Twitter and Facebook!

Wednesday, April 6, 2022

Buildings & Grounds Program: 101


Our Buildings & Grounds contracts cover everything your school needs to keep your campuses safe and running in tip-top shape! 

Click on a vendor below to learn more about your opportunities to save.

Tuesday, April 5, 2022

Our Summer 2022 paper buy is OPEN!

Our Summer 2022 paper buy is OPEN! 

AEA Purchasing has partnered with The Paper Corporation out of Des Moines to bring Iowa schools and AEAs competitive pricing on cut paper and envelopes.

​Complete information (including the order forms) is now available online within the AEA Purchasing Marketplace. Once logged in, scroll down to the “Featured Suppliers” section (middle of page) and click on “Paper Buy”.

Click here for step-by-step instructions on how to access the order form. There will be NO paper order forms delivered to schools.

Bid features include:

  • Wide variety of paper weights, colors, and sizes
  • Additional discounts for orders of 840 cartons of white or greater
  • Letter and catalog envelopes

Orders are due May 20 with delivery expected on or before September 2, 2022. Early ordering is encouraged!

For specific questions on how to order under this bid, please contact laurie@aeapurchasing.org

Happy saving!


Have you checked out the latest info and specials from our vendor partners?
What are you waiting for? 

Check out our April vendor promotions today! New content is added daily.

Monday, April 4, 2022

Observe Earth Day with Blick Art Materials! (Free Lesson Plan)


Friday, April 22nd is Earth Day and AEA Purchasing wants to help you observe this special day with a FREE lesson plan from our vendor partner, Blick Art Materials!


FREE Lesson! What the River Sees
If we take the time to think about what a river sees on its journey, then we can be better friends and neighbors to it. As a collaborative piece, this lesson challenges students to create sections of a real or imagined river that can be joined together to make a linear, flowing storyline. 

Full lesson plan details and a materials list are available at dickblick.com/lesson-plans/what-the-river-sees.



All materials may be purchased from Blick Art Materials under the AEA Purchasing contract (#IFB 019-E, QD20AEP). 

If ordering directly from Blick, remember to enter promo code QD20AEP during checkout to receive your discount!

For hundreds more free art lesson plans visit dickblick.com/lesson-plans. Lessons are geared for a wide variety of ages and skill levels and are designed to meet the National Standards for Visual Art Education.

Start a conversation with Blick today on all the ways your school can save on art instructional supplies with the AEA Purchasing contract! Reach out to:

Blick Art Materials
Contract #IFB 019-E, QD20AEP
Heather Havens
800-704-7744 (x5211)
contracts@dickblick.com