About AEPA Cooperative Purchasing in Oregon

The InterMountain Education Service District (IMESD) proudly represents Oregon in the Association of Educational Purchasing Agencies (AEPA), a national, nonprofit cooperative purchasing organization made up of education service agencies and political subdivisions across participating states. Through AEPA, IMESD provides Oregon school districts and public agencies with access to competitively solicited, fully compliant contracts designed to meet both state and local procurement requirements.

AEPA leverages the combined purchasing power of multiple states to secure high-quality, cost-effective contracts through a rigorous and transparent competitive bidding process. All AEPA solicitations are publicly advertised in Oregon, including publication in the Daily Journal of Commerce, as well as on IMESD and AEPA websites. Bid responses are reviewed collaboratively by member agency committees, and contracts are awarded following a formal evaluation and approval process. For Oregon, all contracts are formally approved by the IMESD Superintendent prior to execution.

Each AEPA contract is:

• Competitively bid and publicly advertised
• Evaluated and awarded through a multi-state cooperative process
• Structured to meet Oregon public contracting requirements
• Available for use statewide by eligible public entities

Contracts are typically awarded for an initial one-year term, with options to renew annually for up to three additional years. This structured approach ensures continuity, compliance, and long-term value.

Under Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS 279A), IMESD is authorized to extend these cooperative contracts to other public entities, including K–12 school districts, education service districts, community colleges, universities, cities, counties, special districts, and state agencies. AEPA contracts incorporate all required public contracting provisions, including bonding, licensing, prevailing wage requirements, and other statutory elements necessary for compliant procurement in Oregon. IMESD, in coordination with legal counsel, has reviewed the AEPA process and determined that it satisfies the requirements for cooperative purchasing under state law.

While AEPA contracts are designed to meet state requirements, individual agencies should review their own local procurement rules and consult with their business or legal offices to confirm alignment with internal policies.

There is no cost to participate in AEPA. IMESD’s administration of the program is funded through a small administrative fee paid by vendors and built into contract pricing. Importantly, these proceeds are reinvested directly into programs and services that benefit K12 students across IMESD’s four-county region in Northeast Oregon, making AEPA the only cooperative where your purchasing decisions directly support local schools.

If you have questions about AEPA contracts, compliance, or how to utilize cooperative purchasing in your agency, IMESD is here to help.

Rob Naughton
Director of Operations
InterMountain Education Service District