Invitation to Bid - CPA's #2026-008 Art Supplies Bid

The Cooperative Purchasing Agency (CPA) in Georgia has issued an Invitation to Bid (#2026-008) for art supplies targeting educational institutions, specifically focusing on school systems within the state. The procurement covers a comprehensive range of art materials including scissors, glue products, markers, crayons, brushes, tempera paints, canvas panels, and modeling clay, with precise specifications for brand, quantity, and packaging requirements. Vendors must submit bids using the CPA's designated form, with specific brand preferences such as Crayola for most crayon and marker items, and Hygloss-Armada for scissors. The bid opening and sample submission deadline is September 16, 2025, at 9:45 AM, with the actual bid opening at 10:00 AM, and all prices must be F.O.B. destination to the CPA Warehouse in Cleveland, Georgia. New vendors are required to provide at least three references and a W-9 form, and must adhere to strict product specifications, with potential for sample submissions if proposing alternate brands. Delivery is expected within 30 days of purchase order issuance, covering the period from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026.

The procurement does not explicitly outline specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. Vendors must be prepared to meet minimum order requirements and understand that actual quantities are estimates subject to change based on school system orders. The CPA is tax-exempt, and vendors are advised that cash discounts should not be calculated into bid prices. While no specific incumbent vendors are mentioned, the bid suggests potential for vendor consolidation across product lines. The bid form indicates varying quantities from 24 to 5,000 units across different art supply categories, implying a potentially significant contract value, though no precise budget range is specified. Interested vendors must carefully review all bid documents and ensure exact matches to product specifications or seek prior approval for substitutions. Bids can be submitted via email to bids@cpa4schools.com or mailed to the specified USPS or physical address in Cleveland, Georgia.