Monday, October 31, 2022

Vendor Profile: Playcraft Systems

Playcraft Systems produces playground equipment, safety surfacing and site amenities using sustainable materials, innovative design and state-of-art manufacturing techniques. Installation services are also available.

The AEA Purchasing contract (AEPA 019.5-B) affords Iowa schools with a 10% discount off of products in the following categories:

  • Playground Equipment
  • Safety Surfacing
  • Installation Services
  • Site Amenities
Contact Playcraft for a quote on your next playground project. (Reference contract code AEPA 019.5-B).

Playcraft Systems
Kyle Fauley, Sales Administration Manager
541-955-9199 ext. 125
www.playcraftsystems.com
Contract code AEPA 019.5-B

Wednesday, October 26, 2022

We Love our Truck Drivers!

While "Truck Driver Appreciation Month" is officially celebrated in September, it's never too late to show our favorite drivers how much we appreciate them! 

Participating member schools of our Food Program have shared their personal shoutouts and photos of their Martin Bros. truck drivers. Without their dedication and hard work, the transport and delivery processes would not work. Thank you, Martin Bros. truck drivers!

AEA Purchasing appreciates each and every one of YOU! #herecomesmartin

"East Marshall CSD loves our Martin Brother's driver Tanner. He is always early, knows his job and is very friendly!" – Amy Gage

"Our driver's Name is William Roethler. He is always happy and quick to deliver and put our items in the correct areas. We are at North Butler Schools in Greene.  Thanks, William for all you do!" – Kim Marshall

Clarinda Community Schools, Martin Bros. driver Dan with Foodservice staff Missy Daly and Manager Chip Keeley. – Picture from Julia Harris

"Alex is such a pleasure to work with, very courteous and helpful! We appreciate seeing him each and every week. Thank you for everything you do!" - Martensdale St. Mary's Nutritional Staff

"St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School in Webster City would like to give a shout-out to Ash, our Martin Bros. delivery truck driver.  We think he always does a great job. He's friendly and we think he is a great asset to the Martin Bros. Family. Thanks, Ash for all you do!"

Thursday, October 20, 2022

October Highlights from AEA Purchasing

Here's an update on items of interest from AEA Purchasing.  Please share! 

+Come See Us at ITEC!
If you or members from your district are attending the ITEC conference, be sure to stop by our booth on November 7th and 8th. We'd love to meet you!

+Schools Celebrate Local Foods Day
Along with other schools across the state, several AEA Purchasing food program members celebrated Local Foods Day (Sept. 28) by serving locally grown and sourced items in their cafeterias. See what Council Bluffs CSD had on their menu in this blog post.

+School Management Contracts
Our School Management program offers discounts on products and services that help evaluate, streamline, and manage your workflow processes, communications, and increase facility security.

+Vendor Promotions
Want to know more about our vendor partners and what they have available? Check out this month's Vendor Promotions folder! Special offers, flyers, and brochures are added throughout the month.

Schools Celebrate Local Foods Day!

Along with other schools across the state, several AEA Purchasing members celebrated Local Foods Day (Sept. 28) by serving locally grown and sourced items in their cafeterias.  

Council Bluffs Community School District's menu included multiple items from across the state. Items included cucumbers, mini peppers, and cherry tomatoes from Flint Ridge Organic in Kalona, cherry tomatoes from Jorges Organic in Fairfield, apples from Small's Fruit in Mondamin, and yogurt from Country View Dairy in Hawkeye!


Monday, October 17, 2022

Contract Profile: Brightly

 Brightly, formerly known as DudeSolutions, provides asset management solutions that enable organizations to transform the performance of their assets. With a complete suite of intuitive software, Brightly helps light the way to a bright future with smarter assets and sustainable communities.

Services include:

  • CMMS
  • EAM
  • Strategic Asset Management
  • IoT Remote Monitoring
  • Sustainability and Community Engagement
  • Training, support and consulting services
In partnership with the Association of Educational Purchasing Agencies, AEA Purchasing has competitively bid and awarded Brightly services for school use. Contract pricing includes:

  • 15% discount on annual service fees
  • 10% discount on Quick Start (QS) online startup training
  • For contract pricing or sales information, please contact dealdesk@brightlysoftware.com. The Deal Desk team will be supporting requests to verify pricing and can direct inbound sales requests to the correct sales contact.

    Be sure to reference bid # AEPA IFB 020-D Facility Management Software when reaching out to the vendor. 

    Thursday, October 6, 2022

    Virtual Meet & Greet for Special Needs Equipment

    To acquaint Iowa schools and service agencies with our partnership with Medicaleshop, AEA Purchasing would like to offer the opportunity to attend a virtual "Meet & Greet" with our agency and Medicaleshop to discuss the benefits of our purchasing contract and the types of products that are included. 

    Virtual Meet & Greet with AEA Purchasing and Medicaleshop
    Thursday, October 13, 2022
    10:00-10:15 AM CST
    Email to RSVP and receive a calendar e-vite

    Please feel free to extend this invitation to whomever else you think might benefit from the information. Both schools and AEAs are eligible to use our contract for their special needs equipment purchases.

    October Vendor Promos!


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

    Check out our October vendor promotions today! 

    Content is added throughout the month.

    Wednesday, October 5, 2022

    Be Successful at Office Politics


    Office politics? You can't escape it but there are ways to navigate your path successfully, whether you are a purchasing agent or a business official. Here's how: https://bit.ly/3ruoHrH

    Monday, October 3, 2022

    Vendor Profile: Medicaleshop

    Medicaleshop is an approved vendor of AEA Purchasing through our active membership with the Association of Educational Purchasing Agencies (AEPA). Medicaleshop carries a wide variety of equipment for children with special needs to promote independence and comfort for students in the classroom. 

    Imagine a world that is accessible to everyone, where no barriers to independence exist; where everyone is allowed to be themselves. With Medicaleshop, such a world is possible!

    Top product categories included in our contract include:
    • Special needs standers
    • Gait trainers and walkers
    • Assistive technology
    • Changing & therapy tables
    • Special needs seating
    Purchases can be made through the AEA Purchasing Marketplace or directly through Medicaleshop. Contract discount includes up to 60% savings off MSRP. *Be sure to reference contract number #AEA RFP 022-B in all communication with the vendor (orders or POs).

    Feel free to contact Medicaleshop for additional product information or to request a quote:

    Medicaleshop
    Contract Number : #AEA RFP 022-B
    Bob Smith
    Email: csteam@medicaleshop.com
    Toll Free: (866) 563-6812