Featured News

Southwest Arkansas Education Cooperative Joins AEPA to Launch The Natural State Purchasing Cooperative

Mark Keith

Hope, AR – The Southwest Arkansas Education Cooperative (SWAEC) is proud to announce its partnership with the Association of Educational Purchasing Agencies (AEPA) to launch the Natural State Purchasing Cooperative (NSPC). This initiative is designed to help Arkansas public agencies save money by streamlining access to competitively bid, high-quality products and services.

As one of 31 state organizations within AEPA, SWAEC is committed to securing cost-effective purchasing solutions for schools, municipalities, and nonprofit organizations across Arkansas. Through NSPC, members gain access to nationally bid and rigorously vetted contracts that ensure competitive pricing and quality assurance. Once bids are approved for award by AEPA, each AEPA member state selects contracts they feel will best help their respective states.

What NSPC Offers

NSPC provides contracts with trusted vendors such as Lakeshore, Quill, and School Specialty for essential school and instructional supplies. Additionally, our contracts cover a broad range of products and services, including:

  • Cleaning Supplies
  • Furniture & Office Supplies
  •  Playground Equipment
  • Digital Signage & LED Lighting
  • Grounds Equipment
  • Technology Solutions
    …and much more!

NSPC serves not only public schools but also nonprofits (churches, civic organizations), towns, cities, and counties looking to optimize their purchasing power.

Why Choose NSPC?

✅ No Cost to Participate – No membership fees or forms required.
✅ Direct Vendor Access – Work directly with vendors to secure AEPA pricing.
✅ Flexible Contracts – Contracts are awarded for one base year, with renewal options for three additional years.

How to Get Started               It’s easy! Simply contact the vendor of your choice and request AEPA contract pricing.

For more information, visit our website: https://swcooperative.my.canva.site/aepa
Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572095437553
For inquiries, email aepa@swaec.org.

Join NSPC today and start saving!