MONTEREY COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION Invitation for Bids, AEPA-026.5 Notice is hereby given that the Monterey County Office of Education, under its County Superintendent of Schools, (MCOE), will receive up to, but no later than 1:30 p.m. EST, Thursday. February 12, 2026, sealed bids for the award of contracts for 026.5-A Industrial Career & Tech Supplies and 026.5-B Institutional Kitchen Equipment for use by MCOE, other education and public agencies throughout California, and other eligible jurisdictions. Awards shall be made for an initial one-year term and extensions as allowed by law. MCOE is cooperating as a member agency with the Association of Educational Purchasing Agencies (AEPA) and the CalSave cooperative purchasing programs. MCOE intends that applicable purchases under this bid be piggybackable by other agencies as allowed by law and that, where eligible, products be part of a Standard School Supply and Equipment List. Bidders must be able to provide their products and services in up to 31 states, including California. Vendors are requested to visit AEPA’s website at https://aepacoop.org/registration-solicitations/ for instructions on how to register at no cost with Bonfire. All responses must be submitted online via Bonfire by the due date and time listed above. AEPA documents will be released on January 7, 2026. MCOE reserves the right to reject any or all bids in whole or in part, to waive any formalities or irregularities in any bids, and to accept the bids, which in its discretion and within state law, are in the best interest of MCOE and other participating AEPA members. Bids will be publicly opened at 2 p.m. EST on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at EducationPlus, 1460 Craig Road, St. Louis, MO 63146. An opening record will be posted to aepacoop.org. Dr. Colleen Stanley Chief Business Official Monterey County Office of Education #11988990  1/14, 1/21/26