AEPA
Association of Educational Purchasing Agencies
Sophos Sophos Security Products can be purchased at a negotiated contract rate through Twotrees.
The AEPA Purchasing Cooperative, officially known as the Association of Educational Purchasing Agencies (AEPA), is a multi-state, non-profit organization designed to help public agencies, primarily schools and educational institutions, save time and money on procurement. It’s made up of Educational Service Agencies and political subdivisions from participating states, working together under a Memorandum of Understanding. The core idea is to pool the purchasing power of its members—spanning 31 states as of recent counts—to secure volume-based contracts that offer competitive pricing and quality products.
AEPA operates by conducting a national competitive bidding process, where contracts are solicited, evaluated, and awarded during bi-annual meetings. These contracts cover a wide range of goods and services, like school supplies, technology, furniture, custodial products, and even athletic equipment. Once approved, each member state selects the contracts that best fit its needs, and they’re made available locally through a designated agency that handles the administration. The contracts typically start with a one-year term, with options to renew for additional years, often up to three.
It’s not just for schools—eligible users include K-12 public and private schools, colleges, universities, public libraries, and various government entities, depending on the state. The setup aims to streamline purchasing, cut administrative costs, and ensure compliance with state bidding laws, all while leveraging economies of scale. For example, a small rural school district gets the same pricing edge as a big urban one. They partner with vendors like Twotrees to ensure access to well-known suppliers.