Contracts


Pittsburgh Paints Company

The Pittsburgh Paints Company manufactures and supplies paints, stains, architectural finishes, performance coatings, specialty coatings, painting equipment, and related supplies. The agreement includes access to more than 35,500 products, along with painting sundries such as brushes, rollers, abrasives, caulking products, masking products, safety equipment, cleaning materials, spray equipment, wallcovering adhesives, and other professional painting tools. Members also have access to product application training, color matching support, specification assistance, project visibility, and customized reporting resources.


  • Full range of indoor and outdoor paints and coatings, industrial coatings (DTM, etc.), stains, and sundries  
  • Competitively priced contract solutions with additional savings opportunities available 
  • Free delivery within your local store area (see specific store for details and availability) 
  • Free training supports proper product application 
  • Extensive catalog with more than 35,500 products 
  • Color matching assistance for renovation and maintenance projects 
  • Regional representatives provide specification recommendations 
  • Support for projects ranging from maintenance to renovations 

Sherwin-Williams

The Sherwin-Williams Company is a manufacturer and supplier of paints, stains, architectural finishes, specialty and performance coatings, painting supplies, and related equipment. With more than 160 years of experience and an extensive network of company stores and field support resources, Sherwin-Williams helps educational institutions manage facility maintenance, renovation, and new construction projects.


  • Members receive cost-effective pricing for paints, stains, coatings, and paint supplies, and equipment
  • Every E&I member is assigned a local store and dedicated sales representative
  • Complimentary color consultation and color matching support
  • Product application training available to members
  • Access to architectural account executives and specialists
  • No minimum order requirements
  • Support for campus maintenance and renovation projects
  • Large order discount opportunities may be available
  • Free delivery included with contract purchases

Lowe’s

Lowes is dedicated to saving E&I members time and money with the purchasing solutions you need and the industry expertise you expect. Finding cost-effective solutions that ensure the highest standard of quality is at the forefront of their mission. Lowe’s Pro Supply is your one-stop source for maintenance and renovation supplies across higher education, K–12, and student housing facilities. With fast delivery available nationwide through dedicated warehouses, they provide an extensive inventory of MRO products in job-lot quantities to keep your projects moving. Through the broader Lowe’s store network, you also gain access to more than 40,000 additional products — including paint, lumber, drywall, and tools — so you’ll always have exactly what you need to get the job done. Whatever the season, Lowe’s specialized Student Housing support team is ready to help you secure Pro-grade products in bulk for fast, efficient turns.


  • Year end rebates based on spending tier
  • Member volume discounts on eligible quotes over $2,000 in-store or online. Ideal for lumber, appliances, building materials, electrical, etc.
  • 20% Instant Member paint discount after paint annual qualifying spend reaches $3,000
  • Save an additional 5% in-store or on-line by utilizing a Lowe’s Commercial Account (LCA) or our Lowe’s Pro Supply (LPS) in-house account (You save 5% on eligible purchases when you use your LPS Purchase Card in-store or Lowes.com)  
  • Access to over 1,700 stores, warehouses, and distribution centers
  • Stores are open late and on weekends for last-minute needs
  • Online purchasing with fast delivery or in-store pick-up 
  • Punchout integration capabilities with Ariba, JAGGAER, Coupa, OpsTechnology, and more
  • Shop millions of products in-store and online from trusted brands 


Ward’s Science

Serving science educators since 1892, Ward’s Science offers unique products, standards-based activities organized to meet teachers’ needs, and resources backed by personalized technical support. Ward’s Science serves the entire K-14 lifecycle, delivering the tools teachers need to turn science lessons into science connections. Available through E&I’s Avantor, delivered by VWR, contract, members can find the scientific supplies you need while driving cost savings and efficiencies across the entire purchasing process
  • Aggressive discounts on science supplies with free shipping on many items
  • Premium quality hands-on products for every subject and grade level
  • One-on-one support from in-house scientists and educators
  • Resources and services to save time and drive efficiencies
  • Preapproved E&I pricing eliminates the need for comparison shopping
  • Access supplies you’re looking for at a price and quantity that meets your school’s needs
  • K-12 annual eCommerce (B2B) rebate on sales made through an eCommerce platform
  • K-12 specific market basket to demonstrate district savings

Avantor, delivered by VWR

VWR serves as a leading global provider of product and service solutions to laboratory and production customers in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, industrial, education, government, and healthcare industries. VWR offers an integrated, seamless purchasing experience that is optimized for the way E&I members do business. Their portfolio is used in virtually every stage of the most important research, development, and production activities in the industries they serve.


Grainger

Grainger leads the industry in being one source for all your maintenance, repair, and operational (MRO) needs. More than 1.7 million products, 14 distribution centers, and 250 branch locations ensures E&I members have the products they need, when they need them, often with same-day availability. Not only does this contract offer unmatched value for your facilities operations, but every department on campus can share in the benefits of this best-in-class agreement.


Specialty Underwriters

Specialty Underwriters has provided equipment maintenance management services to higher ed and K-12 institutions, government bodies, financial institutions, pharmaceutical, and bio-tech organizations since 1982. SU is dedicated to analyzing the equipment maintenance needs of organizations to uncover opportunities to generate tangible hard and soft dollar savings, increase awareness of service levels from vendors, and lower administration costs – helping reduce and improve the workload of employees.


  • Cost reduction off existing maintenance contracts
  • Consolidation of equipment maintenance contracts (lab, IT, office automation)
  • One point of contact through TELESERVE
  • Use your vendor of choice
  • Flexibility to add or remove anytime
  • Online reporting
  • In-house reimbursement
  • SU pays vendors directly

Carrier Enterprise

A part of the largest HVAC distribution network in North America, Carrier Enterprise has more than 2,200 associates in over 200 locations at the ready to meet the needs of your institution. This contract provides Carrier Corporation OEM products as well as other HVAC brands, delivering a complete offering of the products necessary for new installations, replacements and retrofits, emergency repairs, and service maintenance.


  • Carrier equipment available through the CE and national distribution network
  • Carrier factory authorized parts market basket of over 200 items
  • Enhanced universal parts and supplies market basket of over 7,000 items
  • One-time early adoption volume incentive rebate on incremental growth in the first 12 months of CE program adoption

Cook’s Direct

Cook’s Direct has 22 years of experience matching the right equipment to a facility's requirements. E&I members are sure to find the products they are looking for from trusted brands to keep foodservice operations running smoothly. Cook’s direct makes purchasing easy with expert support, fast response, and turn-key installation. Cook's Direct goes beyond just equipment and supplies, also offering a suite of services designed to streamline your foodservice operation.


  • Member-specific website for easy ordering
  • Online access to track orders, review invoices, and view order history
  • eProcurment System Integration
  • Extensive catalog of top-brand products and supplies
  • Operator Training Programs
  • Design Consultation and Installation Services
  • Annual rebate credit to apply toward future purchases 


Arrow Payments

Arrow Payments helps institutions simplify processes and drive revenue growth, providing the expertise E&I members need to manage existing payment systems, evaluate and audit the current state, set up merchant accounts, source and install equipment, integrate payments, and achieve PCI compliance. Their suite of services allows for visibility into payments systems to optimize efficiency, security, and profitability for educational institutions.


  • Access to Arrow Payments payment processing solutions
  • Point-to-point encryption (P2PE)
  • Online payments and credit card processing
  • Custom dashboard and payments strategy
  • Merchant service support and PCI compliance
  • Payment assessments and solutions discovery
  • Systems integration and implementation
  • Training, support, and maintenance