ART - SustainablePurchasing 2012

This document provides information about the standards and processes followed by the Charleston County School District in purchasing furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E) for schools. The district focuses on buying furniture in bulk to take advantage of better pricing. The purchased furniture must have castors or the ability to glide across vinyl composition tile (VCT) floors without damage. It should also be stackable or easily put on top of desks to clear the way for the cleaning crew. The district has saved approximately $4 million through bulk purchasing. The district is ahead of the curve in terms of classroom modernization and is on par with forward-looking districts nationally. The effort to upgrade existing schools based on availability of funds is ongoing. The procurement department works with stakeholders to ensure quality, value, and engagement in the purchasing process. The document also mentions a website, www.publicsourcing.org, which offers competitively solicited contracts for various products, including furniture, office supplies, technology, flooring, and maintenance.