Fayette County

schools will have a choice of only three office supply vendors from now

on.

The Board of

Education Monday unanimously approved designating three suppliers to take

advantage of volume discounts, reducing costs.

"This

should save a good bit of money," said Fred Phillips of the Purchasing

Department, adding that the schools spend from $150,0000 to $230,000 a

year on office supplies.

The department

received bids from numerous companies, and narrowed its choices to three

and the School System's prior service experience with the vendors.

Price received

60 percent of the weight in evaluating the bidders, with the other two

criteria receiving 20 percent each.

Purchasing

also offered the board two options, one that included only the best bids,

and one that included the two best bids and one locally owned supplier.

The smaller, local stores can't match the big chains on price, Phillips

said, but board member Janet Smola said it's also important to do business

locally.

"I have

a very strong commitment to supporting our local economy when I can,"

she said.

The board agreed

and approved award of the bid to Corporate Express, Sheffield Office Products

and Total Office Products.

All three vendors

agreed to supply online training for those placing orders, and committed

to hold their prices for a year.