Awards are announced in February, and catalogs, with over 2000 items, are distributed to all schools in March. The orders are then sent to vendors in May and the merchandise is delivered to the ESUs and schools during July and August. Equipment and Related Supplies, General Supplies, Furniture, Paper, Maintenance and Shop Supplies, Health and Safety, Athletics, Hot Lunch, Science, Art, and Bulbs. The prime vendor food program, established in 1995, provides food product to ESU affiliated schools state-wide. The agreement with the prime vendor is for 3 years, with the schools committing to the program on a yearly basis.
All merchandise is ordered, delivered and billed directly to the schools.
Reporting, monitoring, evaluating and providing supplemental services are the responsibility of Nebraska ESU Cooperative Purchasing. The range of savings is due to total purchases and the use of drop-site incentives and early payment. This program was developed to offer schools the availability of custodial supplies and equipment during a seven month purchase window, February through August, with direct ordering, delivery and billing. Two vendors are selected through the bid process, each serving a pre-determined portion of the state. Product price lists are delivered from each vendor to their respective schools prior to the opening of the purchase window.