NIGP 78588: Science Instruction Equipment (for Classroom or Laboratory Use)

NIGP 78588 Science Instruction Equipment (For Classroom Or Laboratory Use), Item code, covers specialized equipment and materials that state and local governments purchase to support hands-on science learning in K-12 and higher-education settings. Recent solicitations show school districts acquiring preserved specimens with non-formalin preservatives, live materials, chemicals with current Safety Data Sheets, general laboratory supplies, textbooks aligned with Next Generation Science Standards, and specialized items such as solar photovoltaic modules and ancillary renewable-energy equipment for campus sustainability projects. The issuing bodies span large urban school districts, regional consortia purchasing on behalf of multiple districts, state colleges, and special-purpose school boards. Cobb County School District in Georgia, Katy Independent School District in Texas, and the Salt Lake City School District in Utah have posted multiple recent solicitations. Clark County School District in Nevada solicited physics and chemistry textbooks with comprehensive digital components and laboratory apparatus. Cartwright Elementary School District No. 83 in Arizona issued a multi-district request through the SAVE consortium for STEM and College & Career Readiness Kits and Programs.

Recent activity concentrates in Texas, Georgia, Arizona, Utah, and Nevada. Cobb County School District issued an Invitation for Bid (B26128) on May 15, 2026, for science specimens, chemicals, supplies, and equipment across 112 school sites, with responses due June 16, 2026, and an estimated annual expenditure of $175,000. Katy Independent School District posted RFP #2428KD-A for teaching and instructional materials, supplies, equipment, and services spanning English Language Arts, Mathematics, Reading, Science, Social Studies, Health/Physical Education, and Arts & Crafts, with awards through October 22, 2027, and renewal options through October 23, 2030. The Salt Lake City School District issued three separate IFBs in early September 2026 for solar photovoltaic modules (TB2711-SM, 2,537 modules across four sites, bids due September 23, 2026), rooftop solar inverters and data acquisition systems (TB2712-RIO), and canopy solar inverters and power electronics (TB2715-CIO). Cartwright Elementary School District No. 83, representing the SAVE consortium, requested STEM and College & Career Readiness materials (RFP260331) with survey data from fifteen participating districts indicating estimated annual usage of $1,346,000. The State of Texas posted an Invitation for Catalog Discount Bid (ICAT2628) on October 19, 2026, for instructional materials and related products, with responses due November 19, 2026. Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District in Texas issued a separate bid (CRDG1026) for Reading & Video Materials on September 12, 2026, due October 1, 2026. Clark County School District in Nevada solicited Physics textbooks (RFP27001BJN) and Chemistry textbooks (RFP27003LMK), both due May 28, 2026, for adoption periods through June 30, 2033, with options for up to six additional one-year extensions.