Schools, educational institutions, and related agencies now have the opportunity to procure Blink Charging electric vehicle supply (EVSE) at pre-negotiated rates, eliminating the necessity for initiating a new bidding process. This convenience stems from our recent agreement with the Association of Education Purchasing Agencies (AEPA), a multi-state nonprofit organization that brings together educational agencies nationwide. Under this new agreement, educational institutions gain access to pre-vetted products at competitive prices, ensuring a hassle-free procurement process. Here's what you need to know.
What Is AEPA?
Blink established its agreement with the AEPA on March 1 of this year upon receiving an invitation to participate in the Keystone Purchasing Network (KPN). This program operates under the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit (CSIU), serving as a Pennsylvania educational service agency.
Under the KPN program, vendors are actively sought out to submit competitive sealed bids, alleviating the burden on educational organizations to conduct their own bidding process. This streamlined approach saves educational institutions valuable time and resources, as they no longer need to dedicate efforts to soliciting bids from multiple companies.
Cooperative Purchasing
Cooperative purchasing and group purchasing organizations (GPOs) streamline the purchasing and bidding process, particularly for busy organizations. Blink takes pride in supporting various sectors, including education, government, healthcare, and more, by offering competitive products through purchasing agreements like AEPA.
Additionally, we have cooperative purchasing agreements with Sourcewell, which facilitates purchasing for government public entities, Vizient (Contract #SV4060), which provides similar services for healthcare facilities, and the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). Our GSA contract, awarded through a Multiple Award Schedule (MAS), enables government customers and federal agencies to conveniently procure Blink EVSE for their EV charging requirements via the GSA Schedule.
EV Charging Stations for Schools and Educational Facilities
When determining the type of EV charging stations to install at schools and other educational facilities, it’s essential to consider the intended users and their needs.
For instance, a primary use case would involve charging a school’s EV bus fleet. For fleet applications, we typically recommend incorporating at least one Direct Current Fast Charger (DCFC), such as the Blink 60kW – 360kW DC Fast Charging Stations. These chargers can be utilized with or without a payment system, particularly beneficial for in-house charging purposes. DCFC’s deliver direct current to an EVs battery, enabling rapid charging in less than an hour.
Additionally, we suggest integrating Level 2 (L2) charging stations, like the Blink Series 7 Level 2 Charging Station, into fleet setups. These chargers are versatile and can function with or without a payment system, depending on the specific use case. Fleets interested in offering public charging options may opt for the Blink Series 8, equipped with a physical credit card reader. Both L2 chargers provide efficient charging, typically requiring four to eight hours to fully charge an EV by converting alternating current to direct current for battery input. Furthermore, L2 charging stations are suitable for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), which cannot utilize DCFC charging.
Conclusion
With our array of cooperative purchasing agreements, including our recent collaboration with the AEPA, Blink is well-equipped to assist schools, educational institutions, and government agencies in procuring and installing their electric vehicle supply equipment. From navigating the purchasing process to securing funding, we provide comprehensive support every step of the way. Reach out to Blink Charging today to connect with an electrification expert and discuss your EVSE needs.