Category Archives: Bids

REMC $AVE releases Software Contract July 1st

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Summer Greetings and Great News, Michigan Educators.  REMC Statewide $AVE has released and expanded the software selection and potential savings across many more partner programs.  What does that mean for you…Time and Money $avings!

 

MORE SAVINGS

With one place to go for ALL of your Software and Technology needs, the REMC Statewide S.A.V.E. Bid Project, provides you with confidence knowing that you will get more for your budget dollars than ever before with the customer service and expertise that will save you an immeasurable amount of time and money!

 

HOW IT WORKS

Review pricing online at remcbid.org and contact the listed vendor with your product needs.  REMC $AVE Awarded Vendor Partners will provide you all product and pricing information regarding software…at pricing lower than anything that you will find online or in any catalog – Guaranteed! 

 

REMC takes pride in managing all the work and worry first so you can select product with partners you know will help you $AVE! 

 

Vendor Partner & Product Summary to follow: http://www.remcbids.org/bidcenter/document.php

 

New Paper Contract, Lower Prices

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The new xerographic paper contract began June 1. Prices for white paper have decreased, and Central Michigan Paper is the only awarded vendor this time. New products, including offset paper have been added. The contract expires November 30, 2009, and the minimum order is only $100, so it’s not necessary to warehouse paper. Discounts are available for ordering paper by the pallet or truckload. Check with Central Michigan Paper for details.

Supplies and Equipment Contract Pricing Released 1/1/09

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Effective January 1, 2009, new contract pricing in effect and available online for supplies and equipment categories.  Contract term runs January 1 through December 31, 2009 and consists of 56 product categories with more than 2,500 items.  REMC Bid currently has more than 4,200 contract items across 5 bid groups. 

Watch for REMC “Build-a-Bundle” for Interactive Classroom Technology using products on REMC Bid.  Buying guides are being developed and updated for Digital & Video Cameras, Document Cameras, Multimedia Projectors, Podcasting, Printers and Scanners, Computer & Network Electronics as well as Interactive Technologies.

2009 Supplies and Equipment Bid Highlights
New Vendors
Audio Visual Innovations, Inc. – Extron Pole Vault, Senteo Classroom Response Systems, TV Converter
Audio Enhancement – Soundfield Systems
Bob Brooks Computer Sales –  Okidata Printers
IKON – Scanners
Smart Ed Services – SMART Boards & Accessories, Podcasting Bundle

Expanded Categories
- Interactive Classroom Technology
- Classroom Amplification Systems
- Classroom Response Systems
- Alphasmart Neo and Dana
- Printers (including MFPs)
- Catalog Discounts

New Items
- A/V Room Control System: Pole Vault by Extron
- AV Rover and accessories
- Hewlett Packard Updated Printer Models and Multifunction Printers
- Catalog discounts for Hewlett Packard, Okidata, Ricoh and Xerox Printers
- TINspire Handheld Calculator, TINspire CAS (Computer Algebra System)
- RM Education Tuff Cam Digital Camera for Kids
- Neo 1 and Neo 2 SmartOption Mobile Lab
- High capacity, Mini, and Micro secure digital cards (SDHC), various storage sizes
- USB Flash Drive Duplicator – 15 Flash Drive
- USB Flash Drives – New Storage Sizes
- USB Turntable/Record Player – Ion Audio TT
- DVD Blu-Ray Drive, DVD Player, Recordable Disks
- Podcasting: Studio Condenser Microphone Bundle with K-12 publishing software
- Pop Filter for Studio Condenser Microphone
- Optical Air Mouse and Compact or Full-Size Keyboard
- Web Cam with microphone for notebook
- Retrofit kit(s) for Bretford television carts
- Notebook computer storage cabinets
- Single and Multipacks Headphones, Monaural, Stereo, Wireless, Infrared/USB
- Stop watch, split timer, and audio monitoring devices
- Multicultural art supplies including chenille stems, construction paper, crayons, markers, and pencils
- Portable digital recorder for podcasting/field recording
- Television digital converter box
- Widescreen format projection screens

Other Bid News
Watch for REMC “Build-a-Bundle” for Interactive Classroom Technology using products on REMC Bid.  Buying guides are being developed and updated for Digital & Video Cameras, Document Cameras, Multimedia Projectors, Podcasting, Printers & Scanners, Computer & Network Electronics as well as Interactive Technologies.  Varitronics supplies will no longer be on the bid in 2009 as no bids were received.

 

 

New 6-Month Paper Contract with Central Michigan Paper & Xerox

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REMC has new paper pricing with a 6-month contract term effective December 1, 2008 through May 31, 2009.  Due to the volatile nature of paper pricing, awarded vendors are permitted one price increase during the contract term, subject to REMC’s approval. For this contract term please notice some new options for case and skid pricing through vendors Central Michigan Paper (CMP)and Xerox Corporation. 

Central Michigan Paper: Awarded Laser Printer (case pricing), Assorted colors in multiple sizes and weights (case pricing), white multi-purpose xerographic paper (case/skid pricing), and vellum bristol cover stock, and a 10% catalog discount or those paper prodcuts not itemized on the Bid. Note to Buyers: Inside delivery is charged up to $3.00 per case with no lift gate available to locations in Upper Peninsula. Truckload delivery requires districts to unload and depending on area may offer optional driver unloading, call for pricing.

 

Xerox Corporation: Award recommendation for Laser Printer paper (skid pricing), multi-purpose xerographic paper (skid/truckload pricing) in a variety of sizes.  Inside delivery is included with optional lift gate or no lift gate assistance. Truckload delivery is direct from the mill to the dock and requires districts to unload from the dock. Xerox offers additional truckload delivery options available to Upper and Lower Michigan locations: Lift gate service $110.00, Driver assisted delivery $275.00, Lift Gate + Driver assisted delivery $385.00+, multiple location delivery are quoted, please contact Eric Deason by phone at 1-800-822-2200 followed by Pressing Prompt #1, #4, Ext.6902, Fax: 1-877.260.0703, or by E-mail at Eric.deason@xerox.com.

 

 

Paper Brands are Mill Brands, Private Label Brands, and Business Equipment Brands. The “Mill Brands” are grades listed by the mill manufacturers. The “Private Label Brands” are grades listed merchants and converted under their own “private label” name (i.e., Boise, Office Depot, etc.). The “Business Equipment Brands” are grades listed by equipment manufacturers, such as HP and Xerox.

 

The higher the brightness the greater the paper reflects light and the more expensive it has been to manufacturer which results in a higher the grade of paper. Brightness can impact the scan capability of optical scanning equipment. No. 1 brightness rating is 91-93.9. with No. 4 Bond rating has the lowest brightness rating of 75-81.9. REMC bid specifications for white xerographic paper accepts 86 opacity with a 92 target brightness which is generally a No.1 grade of paper.

 

Important Ordering Information Quantities for Paper which can impact pricing:

 

1 Ream = 500 sheets/paper (wrapped)

1 Case = 10 reams/5000 sheets/paper (8.5”x11”), 5 reams/2500 sheets /paper (8.5”x14”), 5 reams/2500 sheets/paper (11”x17”)

1 Skid/Pallet = 40 cases of paper (8.5”x11”, 11”x17) or 30 cases (8.5”x14”)

1 Truckload = 21 skid/pallets or 840 cases of paper (8.5”x11”)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New REMC Paper Contract Announced

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The new paper contract is in place September 1 through November 30, 2008 and features some new options for case and skid pricing.

Central Michigan Paper (CMP)and Xerox Corporation were both awarded. CMP has changed its brand of xerographic white from Domtar Husky to Boise X-9 with Xerox providing Xerox 4200 Business/Commercial brand both No. 1 listed. White paper increased about 5% over the last quarter which was expected due increased fuel and freight pricing and demand.

Central Michigan Paper: Awarded Laser Printer (case pricing), Assorted colors in multiple sizes and weights (case pricing), multi-purpose xerographic paper (case/skid pricing), and vellum bristol cover stock, 10% catalog discount. Note to Buyers: Inside delivery is charged up to $3.00 per case with no lift gate available to locations in Upper Peninsula. Truckload delivery requires districts to unload and depending on area may offer optional driver unloading, call for pricing.

Xerox Corporation: Award recommendation for Laser Printer paper (skid pricing), multi-purpose xerographic paper (skid/truckload pricing). Inside delivery is included with optional lift gate or no lift gate assistance. Truckload delivery is direct from the mill to the dock and requires districts to unload from the dock. Xerox offers additional truckload delivery options available to Upper and Lower Michigan locations: Lift gate service $110.00, Driver assisted delivery $275.00, Lift Gate + Driver assisted delivery $385.00+, multiple location delivery are quoted, please contact Cindy Fowler @ 248-827-3581.

Did you know? Paper on REMC is bid with specifications in accordance with Competitive Grade Finder: Paper Buyers’ Guide to North American Paper and Printing Industry. Paper is typically listed by grades in competitive classifications. All papers having similar brightness and opacity ratings are grouped into their proper categories, such as No. 1 Xerographic, No. 1 Offset, etc. In addition, other information is included, such as target brightness, whiteness, alkaline properties, target gloss, target roughness/smoothness, weight range, caliper range, opacity range, color, size, finish, recycled content, and certification.

Paper Brands are Mill Brands, Private Label Brands, and Business Equipment Brands. The “Mill Brands” are grades listed by the mill manufacturers. The “Private Label Brands” are grades listed merchants and converted under their own “private label” name (i.e., Boise, Office Depot, etc.). The “Business Equipment Brands” are grades listed by equipment manufacturers, such as HP and Xerox.

The higher the brightness the greater the paper reflects light and the more expensive it has been to manufacturer which results in a higher the grade of paper. Brightness can impact the scan capability of optical scanning equipment. No. 1 brightness rating is 91-93.9. with No. 4 Bond rating has the lowest brightness rating of 75-81.9. REMC bid specifications for white xerographic paper accepts 86 opacity with a 92 target brightness which is generally a No.1 grade of paper.

Important Ordering Information Quantities for Paper which can impact pricing:

1 Ream = 500 sheets/paper (wrapped)

1 Case = 10 reams/5000 sheets/paper (8.5”x11”)

= 5 reams/2500 sheets /paper (8.5”x14”)

= 5 reams/2500 sheets/paper (11”x17”)

1 Skid/Pallet = 40 cases of paper (8.5”x11”, 11”x17) or 30 cases (8.5”x14”)

1 Truckload = 21 skid/pallets or 840 cases of paper (8.5”x11”)

Stay Tuned? The REMC Statewide $AVE Bid Project Advisory Committee approved a recommendation to move the next paper bid to a 6-month bid with one opportunity to revise prices. Therefore, the next paper contract period will run from December 1, 2008 – May 31, 2009.

Paper Bid Released

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The Invitation to Bid for the REMC SAVE Paper bid has been released for the period covering September 1, 2008-November 30, 2008. Please see documents under Bid Center section of this website for bidding instructions.

Paper Bid Expires May 31

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The current xerographic paper contract expires May 31. Some prices will change for the new contract that is expected to begin on June 1. Take a look at the cross-tabulation to see that products and pricing that were bid for the next contract. The cross-tabulation is posted on the REMC SAVE Bid web site on the Bid Documents and Forms page. To view it, click the check mark next to “Bid Documents – Cross-Tabulations,” then click on “Paper – Term 3 Cross-Tab.”

Please note that the next contract is not official until the Ingham ISD Board of Education approves the award, currently scheduled for their May 20 meeting. Also, the new pricing is not in effect until June 1.

To help with your end of the year ordering, the next paper contract will run from June 1 through August 31. This keeps the price of paper constant through the fiscal year change, elminating the need to know whether to order paper using this year’s or next year’s money.

Your local REMC is available to help if you have any questions!

Computers and Network Electronic Purchase Program

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REMC will be releasing an Invitation to Bid (ITB) for its Computers and Network Electronics Purchase Program mid-February. The program will include contracts for computer systems, network eletronics, data management furniture, centralized device management tools, power backup and management system solutions and storage systems. Vendor applications are now being accepted from Enterprise Tiered companies until February 1, 2008. It is estimated that the contract period will run 36-months beginning July 1, 2008.