Staples offers thousands of products educational institutions use every day. While you can get discounts through the company’s Business Advantage program, colleges and universities can significantly reduce their costs with additional savings by utilizing a cooperative contract with E&I Cooperative Services.
E&I Cooperative Services is a member-owned, nonprofit sourcing cooperative exclusively serving the education sector. Its mission is to leverage the collective purchasing power of its members to secure competitively priced contracts from trusted suppliers like Staples.
Through E&I, higher education institutions gain access to pre-negotiated contracts that eliminate the need for lengthy RFP processes. This saves time and resources while ensuring compliance and transparency across procurement.
The Staples contract is a prime example of how E&I helps institutions stretch their budgets without compromising quality or service. Benefits include:
Each supplier working with E&I Cooperative Services goes through a comprehensive competitive solicitation process. Following this thorough evaluation, Staples was selected to continue their partnership through a renewed 10-year agreement. Their proven track record serving academic institutions and commitment to the education sector made them well-suited for this continued partnership.
You can get a wide variety of products, starting with office products at Staples.
It starts with the basics: pens, notebooks, binders, sticky notes, folders, envelopes, and filing systems. Whether you’re equipping a faculty office, administrative department, or student services center, Staples offers virtually every office essential imaginable.
Need bulk printer paper for campus-wide use? Or color-coded tabs for department reporting? They’re all included.
By sourcing office products at Staples through the E&I contract, you benefit from institutional pricing and a streamlined ordering process that reduces administrative friction.
This contract covers a wide range of janitorial products, including cleaning chemicals, disinfectants, chemical dilution stations, mops, buckets, gloves, waste liners, and paper products such as paper towels and toilet tissue and related dispensers.
The Staples contract gives you access to coffee, tea, bottled water, snacks, disposable utensils, napkins, plates, and cleaning supplies for shared kitchens and lounges. Larger items like coffeemakers, microwaves, and refrigerators are also available, allowing institutions to equip break areas conveniently.
Furnishing academic spaces requires flexibility and durability. From ergonomic office chairs and workstations to collaborative learning setups and modular classroom furniture, Staples offers a range of options built for education environments. The contract covers:
For institutions looking for technology solutions through their office supply procurement, the Staples contract includes a variety of tech products, such as:
Institutions can source custom-branded materials through Staples, including promotional apparel for student events, staff uniforms, recruitment merchandise, and giveaways. From t-shirts and tote bags to mugs and lanyards, the Staples contract helps you promote school spirit and enhance visibility with consistent branding and reliable fulfillment.
Professional print capabilities are another essential element. Whether your institution needs business cards for faculty and staff, departmental letterhead, or full-color brochures and reports, Staples offers an array of print solutions.
These services are especially useful for campus events, recruitment campaigns, alumni outreach, and administrative communications.
If you already have a print shop on campus, consider Staples for overflow.
Getting started with E&I’s Staples contract is easy.
The Staples contract is available to all E&I member institutions, including public and private colleges, universities, and educational systems. Membership with E&I is free. Once enrolled, you can request to align with the Staples contracts, and other contracts, by submitting a Statement of Intent. A Staples rep will reach out to you directly to set up your account and provide you with a participation agreement to sign.
Start saving today with office products at Staples or anything else your academic institution needs. Explore E&I Cooperative Services’ Staples contract and hundreds of other cooperative agreements designed to meet the needs of higher education. Have questions? Connect with your dedicated E&I representative for personalized support.
