- MHEC is a free purchasing cooperative for New England states.
- Members enjoy volume pricing discounts, access to fully vetted vendors and more.
- School Outfitters has MHEC-approved furniture and equipment.
What is MHEC?
The states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont comprise the Massachusetts Higher Education Consortium, or MHEC, a regional group purchasing cooperative. While initially established for the benefit of public higher education in Massachusetts, it has since expanded to encompass private colleges and universities, elementary and secondary schools, municipalities, not for profit educational facilities, libraries and housing authorities in five other New England states.
MHEC was created to collaboratively source products and services to secure the most competitive pricing. Multi-vendor contracts are awarded to vendors with quality product offerings, favorable terms and demonstrated service levels.
What are the benefits of joining MHEC?
Members enjoy perks of volume pricing discounts and appealing contract terms that might not otherwise be available by aggregating needs. Rather than use a third party, MHEC works directly with their membership to create bid specifications. The RFP process, evaluation of suppliers and contract management is performed by MHEC employees all while ensuring state compliance. Members save time and resources by delegating this tedious work so they can focus on other projects. Plus, members can have the peace of mind knowing vendors have been fully vetted and meet established standards. To join only requires the submission of an application without any membership fees or minimum purchasing requirements.
Is School Outfitters a selected vendor of MHEC?
School Outfitters is proud to be a MHEC vendor providing quality furniture and equipment in the following categories:- Bulletin Boards and Cabinets. Promote upcoming events, showcase work and share important information with wall-mount bulletin boards and enclosed boards.
- Classroom Rugs. Shop an extensive collection of washable rugs, seating rugs, fun activity rugs and more from our exclusive brand Sprogs®.
- Desks. Choose from a variety of classroom desks, computer desks, administrative desks and ADA compliant desks.
- Seating. Find student chairs, teacher chairs, comfortable powered lounge seating, durable lab stools and space saving stack chairs.
- Storage Lockers. Keep technology and personal belongings secure with laptop storage lockers, metal lockers and preschool lockers.
- Filing Cabinets. Find all styles of filing cabinets from vertical file cabinets to two drawer lateral cabinets.
- Lecterns. Outfit classrooms and lecture halls with versatile lecterns.
- Partitions. Instantly create new spaces with partitions and screens in an array of designs and sizes.
- Portable Stages. Take advantage of the many benefits portable stages provide to theater productions, concerts and school assemblies.
- Soft Seating. Explore the versatility and variety of soft seating with colors, shapes and configurations that fit early learners to adults.
- Tables. Conference room tables, folding tables, and preschool activity tables are just a few of the many tables available in the MHEC contract.
- Whiteboards. Enhance learning spaces with all styles of whiteboards like wall-mount and mobile to help facilitate teaching.
In addition to these and an array of other ready-to-ship furnishings, School Outfitters has a team of experts with extensive experience in proven room designs, project management, seamless installation and after-order care.
To learn more about MHEC or other contracts School Outfitters is an approved vendor on please contact our contract team at 1-800-260-2776 or contracts@schooloutfitters.com.
