MHEC
February  2014 - Volume 5 - Issue 1               

MHEC Newsletter 


Welcome to the winter issue of the MHEC newsletter.  This issue will provide you with updates and re-caps on new membership initiatives, annual and volume reporting, new and renewed contracts as well as past and upcoming events.

 

Member outreach and new member initiatives continue to be an important focus for us. Therefore, I am pleased to announce that Ellen Bickelman has accepted a position as Member Outreach Coordinator for the MHEC.  We are very excited to have Ellen in this role and welcome her into her new position.  For more about Ellen, read on.

 

The FY2013 Annual Report has been published and all member organizations should have received their individual spend reports.  If you need an additional copy you may contact me at [email protected]. 

 

Since the last newsletter the F15 Office Supply and B14 Athletic Equipment/Supplies contracts have been awarded. For more details on these and other contracts, see our Contracts section below. Our Upcoming Solicitations section will provide you with updates on new and in the works projects like Elevator Equipment/Maintenance, IT Project Services, Hazardous Waste and Airport Parking. 

  

We host many member events throughout the year. Recent events included our Holiday Open House in December and our Winter Quarterly Meeting just a few weeks ago. The Spring Quarterly Meeting will be held on April 11th and will feature a guest speaker.  Following the quarterly meeting is our Annual Golf Tournament on May 30th which is filling up quickly and the EXPO, now open for exhibitor registration.  

 

Thank you for your continued support of the MHEC and please do not hesitate to contact me should you have questions or suggestions.

 

Sincerely,

Stacey Wikar, Director of Operations

Upcoming SolicitationsUpcomingSolicitations
 
 
We appreciate member feedback.
If you are a member, why not consider joining one of our development teams.
 
To provide feedback or to participate on a team please contact the corresponding contract manager listed below.
 
B13: Stationary & Digital Copying Program
Rika Monzillo at [email protected]

F03:  Mail Room Equipment
Rika Monzillo at [email protected]

G02:  Grounds Maintenance Equipment
Paul Coute at [email protected]

G14:  Plumbing, Heating, Fixtures & Service
Paul Coute at [email protected]

G17:  Custodial Cleaning Equipment and Supplies
Paul Coute at [email protected]

G28:  Elevator Equipment, Maintenance, Repair,
Inspection & Testing
Joan Miller at [email protected]
New ContractsContracts 
 -
B14: Athletics, Gym/Field Equip., Uniforms &Supplies
The old MC10-B14 Athletic Equipment, Uniforms & Supplies contract has a new name along with an expanded offering on popular brands. This contract covers all of the items that were available on the previous contract such as strength and cardio equipment, uniforms and helmets and now includes grounds equipment such as line painters, scoreboards, hurdles, bleachers and playgrounds and includes brands such as Nike, Xenith, Wilson, Champion, York, Nautilus, New Balance. For more information please contact [email protected].

F15: Office Supplies
The new office supplies contract effective Nov. 1, 2013 is a one stop shop for anything from paper and toner to break room supplies like coffee and napkins and janitorial supplies. Awarded suppliers offer complete catalog discounts. Staples, a returning supply partner will automatically move any member to the new pricing if the account was set up under the MHEC contract.  If you are unsure what contract you are using contact your local Staples representative.
Contract expires on October 31, 2016 with options to renew. For questions or concerns regarding this contract, please contact [email protected].

To view the complete details of these or other contracts in the MHEC portfolio, please  visit our website at www.mhec.net.

Renewed Contracts

B05: Graphis Arts and Drafting Products
Renewed for 6 months, expires on 6/30/2014
C05: Mattresses, Box Springs, Bedding Covers/ 
Protectors, Shower/Cubicle Curtains & Linens
Renewed for 1 year, expires on 12/31/2014
D05: Life Science Products, Specimens, Live Animal and
Anatomical Models
Renewed for 1 year, expires on 12/31/2014
D21: Electric Test Equipment
Renewed for 1 year, expires on 11/30/2014
D32: Medical/Dental Equipment Supplies and Service
Renewed for 1 year, expires on 12/31/2014 
D26: Biological Safety Cabinets Repair, Cleaning & 
Certification
Renewed for 1 year, expires on 12/31/2014
G12: Uniforms and Occupational Equipment
Renewed for 1 year, expires on 11/30/2014
J03: Enterprise Temporary Help Services and Executive 
Search Services
Renewed for 3 months, expires on 3/30/2014

To view the complete details of these contracts or other contracts in the MHEC portfolio, please visit www.mhec.net.

grey-curve-footer.jpg
Updates
 

Throughout the year, in addition to new contracts and contract renewals we also manage contract updates such as brand additions, prices changes, contract terminations and dealer or staff changes.  These updates are published in our monthly addenda email. 

 

Read on to view  a recap of the updates processed since our last Newsletter in November 2013.  

 

To access the the detailed addenda for each of these contracts, please visit www.mhec.net. 

Beat the Office Spread
Easy Exercises you can do at work
 
This was the headline on an article written by Jill Messier and published in the Winter 2014 edition of the Baystate Health Magazine.
 
Photocopies of this article appeared on our conference table one day. The article referenced a national study by CareerBuilder released last April that found that 41% of people have gained weight at their jobs with even higher weight gain for those who sit at a desk or have high stress jobs.  Certainly the purchasing profession would qualify for a lot of time spend sitting at our desks or in meetings and at times stressful so we decided to share these desk exercises with you to help keep the blood flowing and the waistline in check.
Collaborations

Currently we are in collaboration with the Operational Services Division of the Commonwealth of Mass (OSD) on the following solicitations.
 
J06 IT Project Services contract includes software and systems development, geographic information systems, system integration, networking and planning as well as information security. This solicitation was publicly posted on December 4th and is currently anticipated to open on February 27th with an anticipated effective date of July 1st. For questions regarding this collaboration, please contact [email protected].
 
J03 Enterprise Temporary Help Services and Executive Search Services after under going a review with the MA OIG's office (Office of Inspector General) and passing is now scheduled to post on April 15th.  The current contract was extended until June 30, 2014.
Member Meeting UpdateQuarterly
 
Our winter meeting was held in a webinar format on February 12th, 2014. Thanks to all who attended this meeting.  Meeting minutes will be sent to all who attended, will be distributed in our upcoming addenda mailing and are available to all MHEC members upon request.
 
The next meeting will be held on April 11, 2014 at the Publick House in Sturbridge, MA. This meeting will be hosted by FTG Technologies, supply parter on E05 and F05 who will present on their newly awarded E05 Fire and Security contract.  In addition to the presentation by our host  this event will feature motivational speaker Dr. Steve Sobel with a new presentation "You're a piece of work..."
 
Mark your calendars.
Supply Partner Marketing Opportunities
 
We appreciate our contracted supply partners commitment to the MHEC and our members.  We have developed several marketing tools to complement your efforts including the Ed$ave program, the Market Place, our Newsletter and our member/supplier networking events like the Golf Tournament and the annual product EXPO. For more information about these opportunities and other opportunities  "click here". 
    
Are you attending an upcoming 
trade show or product exhibition?
If you are a supplier on contract with  the MHEC, we offer no cost framed supplier notices to display at your booth.  
To request a copy, email [email protected].

Stay connected! Never miss important MHEC communication again.  Join our our Newsfeeds.

Like us on FacebookView our profile on LinkedIn

This event offers contracted MHEC Supply Partners the opportunity to showcase their products or services to hundreds of potential customers all in one place.  Based on feedback received the expo will remain a one-day event.

 

 

Bringing Wealth Creation Closer to Low-Income Communities

This was the title of an article written by Fred Rose from UMass Amherst and published in The Boston Federal Reserve Bank Communities & Banking Winter 2013 Newsletter. 
 
Some of you may be familiar with this collaboration focused providing job training and employment for the unemployed and underemployed in Springfield, MA.  For those of you who are not, "read on" to learn more and discover which of our members participate in this initiative and how you can utilize the MHEC-C04 contract to support this venture.
Annual Golf Tournament and Networking Event

Registration is now open!Golf
This will be our 5th annual event and will be an 18 hole event held at the Blackstone National Golf Club in Sutton, MA on May 30th.

Spots are filling up fast, don't miss out on this networking opportunity.  More information or register now.
BBB warns: Smart Phone Apps may share your information

"The complaint also involved the company collecting information as soon as users opened the app, even before accepting or refusing the terms of the privacy policy" states the BBB in their January edition of their Consumer News letter. "Read on" for the complete article and tips on how can protect yourself.

Dennis Fox: In December, Dennis traded in his foul weather gear that was most appropriate for the salty decks of Woods Hole Oceanographic institution for a tambourine more suited for the stage of the Berklee College of Music. Dennis will continue to enjoy his residence on the Cape and will commute to Berklee in Boston via bus. He says his love of the ocean will now reside alongside his love of music on his resume'.  He is excited with the prospects of renewing friendships with all the professionals he knew during his years at Bentley and Wellesley and looks forward to working with the new faces who all so much vigor to the purchasing culture in Boston. 

 

Jeff DiCiaccio: Jeff left his position of 10+ years at University of Massachusetts Medical School this past January to join Harvard Medical School as HMS's first Director of Strategic Procurement. HMS Welcomes New Director of Strategic Procurement.

Scott Slaboden:  After spending nearly two years in a newly created position at Connecticut College, as the Director of Purchasing, Scott has accepted a position at Brandeis University as the Associate Director of Procurement Services. Scott was eager to return to the Boston area. Since returning to Brandeis on February 17th, where he worked before going to Conn College, Scott has enjoyed working with the Procurement Services group and has already made an impact on campus. 

If you are moving, have changed roles, are retiring or have other staff news you would like to share,submit to 
The most energy efficient air conditioner in the world is one that is turned off.....

Sustainability Managers across the country are continuously searching for ways to reduce energy, save money and make their campuses more environmentally 
friendly
 
"Read on" to discover Friedrich K�hl room air conditioners with unlimited networking capacity.  Now you can monitor and control every air conditioner in every building across the entire campus from a central location.
 

Article provided by:

Brad Clancy, Concept Equipment Corp.
MHEC contract A01
 
Article written by:
Wink Chapman
Vice President, Friedrich
OpenHouseHoliday 
Open House 

Our 2013 Holiday open house was held on December 11th from 10 am to 2 pm at our offices located in Amherst, MA. Our small space was busting at the seams with 48 guests both members and supply partners enjoying a casual holiday atmosphere while making new or reconnecting with old acquaintances. It was a wonderful way to end 2013.  We would like to thank everyone who donated to our annual holiday food drive. The food will be delivered to the Amherst Survival Center for their emergency food pantry where resident in need from Amherst and surrounding communities can get a monthly food box.  To view photos of this event click here.
In This Issue
Upcoming Solicitations
Contracts
Beat the Office Spread
Collaborations
Fall Quarterly Meeting Recap
Supply Partner Marketing Opportunities
EXPO 2014
Bringing Wealth closer to Low-Income Communities
Golf Tournament
BBB Smart Phone App warning
Members in the news and one the move
Energy Management for room air conditioners
Holiday Open House re-cap
New Members
Seasonal Purchasing Guide
Members, stay connected
Facebook Sweepstakes
Member Benefits Fair
Open MHEC Board Position
Upcoming Training
Host a Training session
Hampshire Power
4 questions to ask before buying a Windows tablet
Hosted VoIP Gets and Education
ISM Western NE Seminar
Save time & money on shipping
Volume Reporting Update
Supply Partner Trivia
Cellular Service Discount
Membership Update
 
We are 477 strong and growing! 

 

 
Seasonal
Purchasing Guide
 
MHEC Members
Stay connected! 

Sign up for MHEC Newsfeeds to ensure you will receive all notifications.

View our profile on LinkedIn


Like us on Facebook
 
MHEC SWEEPSTAKES
Like us on Facebook and enter our sweepstakes for your chance to win a $25 Gift Card. Hurry, Sweepstakes ends on March 28th
 
 
Members, 
are you hosting 
a supplier or benefits fair?

The MHEC participates in many member hosted events throughout the year. If you are hosting an event, we would be happy to attend to promote MHEC contracts and employee discount programs to your community.  To ask us to participate contact
 
Call for Nominations!
 
The MHEC Board of Directors is seeking nominations for an open position on the MHEC board. 
 

 At Large  Position - Private School

All Members are invited!


MHEC Roadshow
Join us at one of these training events.  These events are perfect for any member who would like to learn or get refresher on our website, contracts and services.

June 19th - Westford, MA
Hosted by:  Kittredge Equipment
Located at their test Kitchen

July 24th - TBD

Aug 21st - Agawam, MA
Hosted by:  Kittredge Equipment
Located at their Showroom

Registration Coming Soon
 Training
Attention Contracted  MHEC Supply Partners!
 
We have one more hosting opportunity for our July 24th Roadshow member training events.  This is a great opportunity to meet with member staff.  The opening will be filled on a first come basis so don't delay.  For more information, contact [email protected].
 
KEEP YOUR ENERGY DOLLAR LOCAL

At our November 2013 quarterly meeting, the MHEC had the pleasure of learning about Hampshire Power. 

Hampshire Power is the only 
non-profit, governmental, Massachusetts based electricity supplier. 
For more information "read on" or contact Geoff Rogers at [email protected].

 

 

Hosted VoIP Gets an Education

 
The days of the bulletin board are long over. Your students, faculty, and staff are expecting you to provide new ways for them to communicate with each other. With hosted Voice over IP (VoIP), you can quickly and easily meet this demand "read on".

 

 

ISM-Western New England is sponsoring a seminar on April 10, 2014 featuring Gerri King presenting two dynamic sessions.  

Early registration discount ends March 21, 2014.

 

 Read on for more information or to register for this event!

Save time and money on shipping & strategies to 
manage increasing student deliveries....

Learn how to maximize the MHEC G10 contract with our supply partner UPS to help save you money on your shipping costs plus learn strategies to managing increasing student deliveries during the upcoming Webinar hosted by:
 
UPS 
March 31, 2014.

Mark your calendar's more information to follow! 
Supplier Volume Reporting
 
Volume reporting is important  to us. 
 To assist you with the  task of completing of these report s we have developed the following tools.
 
and 
  
For more information, questions or concerns please contact  j[email protected].
Volume
 
Supply Partner Volume Crossword Trivia
Enter for a chance to WIN!

Print and complete the attached Volume Trivia Crossword Puzzle, scan and return via email to
[email protected] by close of business on 3/28/2012. 
 
Complete crossword, submit with all questions answered correct and get automatically entered for a chance to win a 
$25 Lowe's Gift Card.

Must be an awarded supply partner to participate.
SUNSHINE SIGN 
GOES TO HOLLYWOOD!

Sunshine Sign an MHEC supply partner on the G24 Signage contract fabricated and installed much of the signage that helped transform parts of Worcester's Main Street and Millbury Street as mid-seventies New York City sites for an upcoming movie.
15-20% discount on cellular services & accessories  for  MHEC Members!

 

 It's easy.  All you have to do is make sure that your business accounts are linked to the MHEC contract so you and your employees can take advantage of the discount program for wireless services and accessories. 

Click here to learn more.

 

    
The Market Place features links to participating contracted supply partners whose websites are enabled with a shopping cart feature allowing members to buy on-line. Enter the Market Place.Contracted supply partners are encouraged to provide members with promotional savings.  These additional savings are published in our monthly Supplier Showcase notices. View Ed$ave.Our next event is our Spring
Quarterly Member Meeting 
scheduled for April 11th at the Publick House in Sturbridge, MA.  


The MHEC Staff                                                                                          


For contact information, click here