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

Thanks for taking the time to let us know how we’re doing!

Thanks to all that attended REMC Statewide $AVE Booth @ MACUL ‘09 and may have attended our Sessions on Interactive Classroom Technology “Build-A-Bundle, Podcasting & Vodcasting (Carolyn McCarthy), Interactive Whitebards (Melissa White), and Document Cameras (Andy Mann).  Product Buying Guides were released at MACUL ‘09 and are now available online at http://www.remcbids.org/customer/document.php?webdoccategoryID=11

Thanks to all of the REMC directors who volunteered to work in the booth.

 Booth Raffle Drawing Winners:

Stefanie Halliday, VanBuren Public Schools
Colleen Hoholik, Manistique Public Schools
Vicky Leatherman, Kalamazoo Public Schools
Debra Meeks, Riverview Community SD
James Schlage, Kalamazoo Public Schools
Mary Waterhouse, Stockbridge Community Schools

All prizes that were not picked up at the conference were mailed on March 23.

On Thursday, March 19 from 1:00 to 2:00 pm in room O2-35 Cobo Center, REMC will host a session on using the REMC $AVE Bid to “Build-a-Bundle” of interactive classroom technology. See and learn how to work with REMC vendors to put together a classroom that includes interactive whiteboards, document cameras, multimedia projectors and classroom amplification systems.

Drawings for great prizes will be held in the booth and at the session, so stop by to get your name in.

We hope to see you in Detroit!

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

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.

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”)

The Face Off Invitation contains additional details. Please register online at http://www.solutionwhere.com/inghamisd/cw/showcourse.asp?1400 by November 4, 2008.

Your input helps the REMC $AVE Bid meet your needs. We hope to see you in Lansing!

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.

]]> http://blogs.remcbids.org/project_news/2008/09/03/new-remc-paper-vendor-announced/feed/ http://blogs.remcbids.org/project_news/2008/08/06/new-computer-and-network-electronics-contract/ http://blogs.remcbids.org/project_news/2008/08/06/new-computer-and-network-electronics-contract/#comments Wed, 06 Aug 2008 14:25:56 +0000 ncorner http://blogs.remcbids.org/project_news/?p=26 The computer and network electronics contract began July 1, 2008 and will continue through June 30, 2011 with quarterly refreshes to the bundles. All computer bundles are customizable to meet your districts needs. A summary of the contract can be found under the Resouces section of this website or the following url: http://www.remcbids.org/customer/document.php?webdoccategoryID=4. Please review and let us know how the contract works for your school.