Opportunity Abounds BizSupplies TIPS Program

The Challenge Knowing You Are Purchasing At The Best Possible Price Obtaining Price Levels On All Product Categories That Are Normally Only Available To Large Districts Or Governmental Agencies Being Able To Make Legal Purchases Without The Cumbersome And Expensive Bid Process

SOLUTION BizSupplies and the TIPS Cooperative Provide a Complete Purchasing Solution No Bid Requirement No Contract Commitment No Minimum Order Contract Pricing 40,000 Products 31 Distribution Centers Next Day Delivery Knowledgeable Service BIZSUPPLIES TIPS PROGRAM 40,000 Products Delivered Next Day All At Contract Prices

TIPS COOPERATIVE The TIPS Cooperative began in 2002 as the Texas Interlocal Purchasing System and hosted by the Region 8 Education Service Center in Texas and had 48 original member schools. In 2006 TIPS opens membership to other states across the US formally creating a National Purchasing Cooperative. Today TIPS has agreements with over 46 states and approaching 2,000 member schools and governmental entities. TIPS has PARTNERSHIPS with state entities such as Dawson Coop, AR; ASBA, AR; MARE, MO; OROS, OK; and CPEC, TN. 18 of the 20 Education Service Centers in Texas are also partners with TIPS.

TIPS COOPERATIVE Membership in TIPS is open to public or private school districts; colleges and universities; city and county offices; local, state and federal agencies and/or any other “not for profit” organization. Memberships are available in 46 of the 50 U.S. States who allow entities in their states to participate in “out of state” purchasing cooperatives. There Is No Fee To The Member To Join TIPS Easy to Join TIPS. The New Member required Interlocal Agreement documents can be found on the TIPS website

TIPS SOLUTION Provides school districts and other governmental entities opportunities for greater efficiency and economy in acquiring goods and services. Members avoid the time and expense of going through the public bidding process to purchase their supplies and equipment. Maintains credibility and confidence in business procedures by maintaining open competition for purchases and by complying with purchasing laws and ethical business practices. Vendors who have been competitively awarded contracts have agreed to provide the best pricing, terms and conditions available to similar customers. Equalizes purchasing power for smaller entities that are not able to command the best contracts for themselves.

TIPS SOLUTION MICHIGAN EDUCATIONAL AND GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES: Membership to all Michigan Schools, Colleges, Universities, and City/County Municipal Agencies, in The Interlocal Purchasing System, is "FREE”. Please download these two (2) documents and submit to TIPS to become a member. Interlocal Agreement Board Resolution If you have questions please contact us at (866) or Government Authority: Michigan Law any Michigan public agency may jointly with any other public agency of Michigan or of another state exercise any power, privilege, or authority that the agencies share in common and that each might exercise separately. Id at § “Public Agency” is defined as a political subdivision of Michigan or another state of the United States including but not limited to, a state government, a county, city, village, township, charter township or a school district. Id at § €. A Texas Regional Service Center is a political subdivision of Texas. TEX.EDUC.CODE § 8.001, et seq. Therefore a Michigan public agency may contract with the Region 8 Service Center to jointly undertake any of the powers or authorities that both commonly share.

TIPS VENDOR SELECTION TIPS competitively bids all awarded contracts by: Posting Request For Proposal (RFP) on website and in newspapers Receiving sealed proposals from vendors Reviewing and Scoring vendor proposals for Price; Service; Quality; Delivery; Term; MBE etc… Awarding vendor contracts to multiple vendors. Currently there are over 750 awarded contracts in the TIPS Purchasing Cooperative to select goods and services from.

TIPS PURPOSE The purpose of the TIPS Program shall be to continue operation of a purchasing program which provides substantial savings and best value for participating educational entities or public agencies through cooperative purchasing. Today, TIPS is a nationally known and respected purchasing cooperative that provides best value pricing to it’s membership. With almost 1700 members and over 750 awarded vendors, TIPS has eligible membership in 46 states. In 2006, the National Rural Education Service Center voted TIPS Purchasing Cooperative as the Most Cost Effective Program offered to schools in the nation.

TIPS COMMODITIES – PARTIAL LIST Asphalt, Paving Assistive Technology Athletic Stadiums and Seating Audio Visual Equip & Supplies Automobiles Cabling Products and Services Classroom and Teaching Aids Commercial Cafeteria Equipment and Furniture Comprehensive HVAC Solutions & Services Computers, Equipment, Components & Peripherals Copiers, Fax and Multifunction Machines Criminal Background Check & Finger Printing Services Custodial Equipment, Services and Supplies Data Center Hosting, Sales & Service Document Imaging and Duplicating Services Energy Professional Services Fire and Emergency Rescue Vehicles Floor Covering, Supplies & Services Food Service: Equipment, Chemicals, Supplies &Service Food Service: Management Tools (including Software) Furniture (All) and Installation Graphing Calculators, Supplies and Service Grounds Maintenance, Equipment, Supplies & Services Gym Floors, Repairs, Replacements & Service Heavy Duty Construction Equipment Industrial Equipment and Supplies Internet and Network Security Internet Services Janitorial Services Job Order Contracting and Related Services Library Books and Literature Lighting Lockers Management Software and Services Medical Equipment, Supplies Motorola Broadband Music Instruments & Sheet Music Networking Equipment, Software and Services Office and School Supplies Photo ID Systems Photo Voltaic Laminate Application Photography Services Playground, Athletic, PE, HD Gym, Weight Lifting, & Exercise Equipment Portable/Modular Buildings Roofing Safety Equipment, Supplies School Bus Surveillance School Bus Used or Refurbished Sporting Goods, Apparel & Equipment Sports Facility Lighting Synthetic or Natural Sports Fields, Courts or Tracks Telephone Systems, Equipment, Repair & Service Trades, Temporary Labor and Materials Trailers Two Way Radios Uniforms: Sales, Rent, Servicing Waste Management, Recycling, and Sustainability Solutions Water Meters and/or Water Meter Reading Systems Web Hosting, Web Services and Content Management Wireless Data and Voice

A FEW TIPS VENDORS

BIZSUPPLIES BizSupplies is an awarded vendor with TIPS and currently holds contracts for the following categories: Office and School Supplies Audio Visual Equipment and Supplies Furniture (All) and Installation Classroom and Teaching Aids Custodial Equipment, Services and Supplies

BIZSUPPLIES AND KERR ALBERT BizSupplies has established a Select Program only available to TIPS Members. In order to reach other states and potential TIPS Members, BizSupplies partners with selected office products dealers who will offer the same Select Program to TIPS Members. BizSupplies is pleased to announce that Kerr Albert Office Supplies & Equipment in Port Huron, Michigan has been selected to partner with BizSupplies in our TIPS Program. Kerr Albert will be officially approved by the TIPS Board of Directors at their meeting in February, 2013.

SUMMARY TIPS Cooperative offers members significant benefits There is no cost for membership in the TIPS Program BizSupplies Management has over 40 years of experience in the office products industry and currently holds multiple contracts with TIPS Kerr Albert Office Supplies & Equipment has been selected as a partner with BizSupplies to introduce our TIPS Program to Michigan. Kerr Albert is a family business with over 50 years of office products experience and industry knowledge now offering the TIPS Program to Michigan.