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Offers ideas on selecting vendors to provide education-related products and services. Sources of information about a vendor; Factors that need to be considered in selecting vendors; Preparation and evaluation of product bids; Techniques in negotiating products and services.

Reports on the effort to encourage more bidders to become suppliers of the Chicago, Illinois public school system. Companies with near monopoly positions; Preferred Meal System Inc.; Blue Cross-Blue Shield of Illinois; Investigation of busing expenses; Circumvention of bidding requirements. INSET: For school vendor, it's just another day..

The article offers suggestions on development of procurement expertise in school districts for better technical solutions and price negotiations. Topics include the views of Jeff Mao, senior director for nonprofit Common Sense Education's Learning Solutions Program, on procurement expertise's benefits, role of procurement expertise in getting technological advantages from the vendor, and steps for developing procurement expertise such as evaluating a district's need.

The article discusses the factors that schools should take into consideration when considering which safety notification system to purchase. Kenneth Trump of National School Safety and Security Services says that such school should be careful when choosing a vendor for such services since an increase in school shootings in the U.S. has expanded the need. Chuck Hibbert of Hibbert Safe School Consulting provides suggestions for choosing a vendor.

The article reports that the City Council of Iowa City approves the zoning changes and property acquisitions on vendor rules among Melrose Avenue on the University of Iowa football games event. Iowa City's director of housing and inspection services Doug Boothroy, outlines the agreed-up-on changes to the ordinance such as requiring a 75 dollars fee for temporary use permits. Also, the ordinance requires vendors to have health permits, more trash receptacles, and are not allowed to sell alcohol.

The article focuses on important considerations which must be included in the vendor contract to act as school official in an annual notification of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). The information which needs to be provided in the contract includes both directory and non-directory information. One should not be concerned about the student's right of nondisclosure in this case because the information is being provided to another school official. There should be an understanding that the agent is a school official who is well aware of FERPA implications.

The article discusses the National Automatic Merchandising Association's Balanced for Life national health and wellness initiative. Started in 2005, the campaign has significantly changed the way people view the industry according to the author. For 2007, the program will focus on the "better for you" vending program, as well as offer new tools for operators with school accounts and business and industry accounts.

Reveals the losses of school vendors from delays in school opening due to emergency asbestos inspections. Atlantic Express' loss in revenue; Fear over further delays; Claim of city officials that losses will be temporary; Vendor contracts entered to by the New York City School Construction Authority; Inconveniences to food distributors.