Device Purchasing

The purchase window for the 2023 Device Purchasing Bid (REMC Item Numbers beginning with 2223) opens April 13, 2023, and will remain open through September 30, 2023.

FAQS
Q
How do I get questions answered?
A

Please email spothelp@remc.org.

Q
How do I register as a SPOT user?
A

 

If you do NOT have a REMC account:

  1. Go to the REMC SAVE website.
  2. Click on Register Today in the upper right corner.
  3. Complete the form and select Yes in the Request SPOT access dropdown.
  4. Click the I’m not a robot box, and then click Add User at the bottom of the screen.
  5. Your request will be submitted for approval, and you should receive an approval within 2 business days. If you do not receive approval within 2 business days, please email remcsave@remc.org.

NOTES:

  • If you are a non-public school, public library, or another non-K12 agency, select Yes in the Non-Public dropdown and input your school or agency name in the Building field.
  • If you already have or need multiple accounts, the email address for each account needs to be unique.

If you already HAVE an account on the REMC bid site and are not a SPOT user:

  1. Go to the REMC SAVE website.
  2. Click on Customer Login in the upper right corner.
  3. Log in on the left side of the page.
  4. Click your name in the black bar across the top of the screen.
  5. Review your profile information and update any information that needs to be changed. It is important that the district and email address noted are correct. Note: Your district cannot be changed. If you are in a new district, you will need to set up a new account.
  6. Check the SPOT checkbox under Roles.
  7. Click Save at the bottom of the screen.
  8. Your request will be submitted for approval, and you should receive an approval within 2 business days. If you do not receive an approval within 2 business days, please email remcsave@remc.org.

Q
How do I use SPOT to forecast?
A

  1. Go to the REMC SAVE website.
  2. Click on Customer Login in the upper right corner of the page.
  3. Login on the left side of the page.
  4. Click on SPOT in the upper right corner.
  5. Click on the Forecast tab. 
  6. Click on the 2023 REMC Device Purchasing Bid.
  7. Review the specifications by clicking on the row with the Item Name.
  8. To forecast, enter a quantity in the My Qty box for the item(s) you are considering purchasing this year.
  9. Click ADD. Your forecast quantities will then display in a light blue box above the list of Items.
  10. You may change your forecast until the forecast window closes.
  11. Edit or remove previously entered items and quantities by using the Remove and Edit links in the light blue box.
  12. The total quantities of each item forecast by your district and across the state are displayed.

Remember, there is no commitment to buy what you forecast, but the higher the numbers, the better discounts we can get from vendors! Please be accurate in forecasting what you may purchase.  

Q
Am I obligated to purchase if I fill out a forecast?
A

No, but the goal is to aggregate volume and we provide this information to vendors. We strongly encourage districts to fill out the forecast in SPOT, so we can get the best possible discounts from vendors.     

Q
How do I use SPOT to make a purchase?
A

During the purchase window, follow these steps to make a purchase:

  1. Go to the REMC SAVE website.
  2. Click on Customer Login in the upper right corner of the page.
  3. Login on the left side of the page.
  4. Click on SPOT in the upper right corner.
  5. If you need to view the Catalog, click on View Catalog (next to the Awarded Vendors text), and select the category of interest in the Device Purchasing section of the left menu. (Note: Information on upgrades and other options is attached to the tech specs sheet for the device in the catalog.)
  6. When you're ready to order, follow the remaining steps below.
  7. Click on the desired vendor in the light blue box.
  8. Enter the PO Number, PO Total, and PO Date.
  9. Enter the quantity of each device and Chrome license that you are ordering, and then click Add. The added items will then appear above the list of devices in a light blue box. You may remove devices and edit quantities of the devices in the light blue box at the top. If you edit a quantity, make sure to click Save.
  10. Click on Choose File to upload your PO in a PDF format.
  11. Click Continue at the bottom of the screen.
  12. On the Final Step screen, review your order.
  13. If your order is correct, click Submit PO. If you need to make any edits, click Edit PO. Once you click Submit PO, you will see a thumbs-up screen indicating that your PO has been submitted, and your PO will be listed on the View My POs page.
  14. If you don't see your PO under View My POs, email spothelp@remc.org.

 

 

To see a demonstration of submitting a PO, view the SPOT PO Upload training Video (http://remc.adobeconnect.com/pkphb1ncjivx/)

 

Q
Will I be able to purchase devices if I did not forecast? Will I be able to purchase different devices than I forecast?
A

Yes, and yes. The forecast is non-binding.

Q
What do I need to include on my purchase order?
A

Please make sure your purchase order is itemized and includes the REMC item number, the model number/name, the reseller product number (if available), the quantity of each item to be purchased, and the unit price. All of this information is available in the REMC Device Purchasing Catalog. A quote may be attached. Make sure to note "REMC" somewhere on the PO to ensure you receive the REMC pricing. If you are purchasing items from different REMC contracts from the same vendor, you MAY include all of the items on the same PO.

Q
Does purchasing off the REMC Device Purchasing Bid using SPOT automatically negate the need to solicit competitive bids for devices for my district? Does purchasing off the REMC Device Purchasing Bid meet the Best Practice of obtaining competitive bids for the provision of non-instructional services?
A

Per the MDE Budget Office, "It depends on the district's bidding policy. If it has a district policy that indicates that the district uses a collaborative bid process to obtain services, it meets the requirement." Each district should check their local board policy to see if it allows them to use a collaborative bid process. If so, the use of the REMC Device Purchasing Bid and other REMC Bids, e.g., Computers & Networking, to purchase devices would meet this best practice.      

Q
How are device specifications defined for the Device Purchasing bid?
A

Specifications are defined by the REMC Device Purchasing Bid Specifications Committee, which consists of volunteers from ISDs and local districts from around the state.

Q
What money can we use to purchase devices?
A

Any funds approved by the district for technology purchases (bond funding, general fund, etc.) can be used to purchase devices and accessories off the REMC Device Purchasing contract.

Q
Can agencies that are not K-12 public schools, e.g., private/parochial schools, public libraries, pre-schools, and medical facilities, order off the Device Purchasing bid?
A

Yes. Eligible agencies include:

  • Public, non-public, and private schools (K-12, preschools)
  • Community Colleges, Universities, and Colleges
  • Public Libraries and Museums (local, county, state)
  • State, County, and Local Government Agencies
  • Education 501(c)3 Non-profit organizations
  • Health care facilities

If you are not a public K-12 school, when you set up your SPOT account, select Nonpublic for the ISD and District fields.

Q
How do I cancel an order?
A

  1. Go to the REMC SAVE website.
  2. Click on Customer Login in the upper right corner of the page.
  3. Login on the left side of the page.
  4. Click on SPOT in the upper right corner.
  5. On the SPOT Dashboard, click on My POs below the list of awarded vendors.
  6. Locate the order you wish to cancel and click Cancel at the end of that row. The status column will then change from Submitted to Cancelled, and the vendor will receive an email about the cancellation.

Note: You may cancel an order at any time, but if you cancel your order more than a few minutes after you upload it, follow up with the vendor. Most of the vendors have staff members monitoring the PO uploads, and they are downloading and processing them shortly after upload.

Q
Where can I find a list of all of the awarded devices?
A

A list of awarded devices can be found on the crosstab that can be accessed by clicking on the current Device Purchasing Bid in the REMC SAVE Bid Center

Q
Is the Personal Purchase Program back this year?
A

Information will be available in April after the purchase window opens!