Montana Cooperative Services

Cooperative purchasing that helps Montana schools buy with confidence.

A partnership program of MREA and the Montana School Boards Association, MCS gives member schools access to volume purchasing, direct vendor ordering, Montana-awarded contracts, and products that meet strict pricing and quality criteria.

31 states bidding nationally together with contracts awarded locally here in Montana!

Why Schools Use MT Cooperative Services

Volume purchasing without making every school run its own bid process.
Volume Counts

Combined purchasing power across the AEPA/MCS consortium creates stronger discounts for member schools.

Convenient ordering

Members can order directly from vendor-partners, use online ordering where available, and buy only what they need.

Bid-compliant contracts

MCS bids products and services under MCA 20-9-204, relieving schools of costly and time-consuming bid work.

Quality vendors

Vendor-partners designate specialists for MCS member questions, orders, and pricing support.

The MT Cooperative Services

Built to save schools time, money, and bid paperwork.

MCS is a partnership program provided by the Montana Rural Education Association and the Montana School Boards Association. It bids products and services for member schools under Montana statute 20-9-204 MCA.

Who can join?

Schools, cities, counties, and other non-profit agencies are eligible for MCS membership.

What does it cost?

The MCS fee is $1.00 per student ANB, with a maximum of $1,200 per school.

How do orders work?

Each vendor-partner designates a specialist for MCS member questions and orders, or members may order online.

Why AEPA matters

MCS is Montana’s designated AEPA affiliate, joining state agencies bidding together for volume pricing.