Summary
The Interlocal Purchasing System (TIPS), a division of Texas Region 8 Education Service Center, is accepting proposals under RFP 260805 – Academic and Educational Goods and Services. The official TIPS eBid record is currently Issued, with proposals due September 18, 2026 at 3:00 PM Central Time.
This is an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity cooperative procurement rather than a single project. An awarded contract may be used by TIPS public-entity and qualifying nonprofit members nationwide when they need responsive academic or educational goods and services. TIPS does not guarantee any purchase quantity or spend through the public notice.
Verified Opportunity Details
Issuer: The Interlocal Purchasing System (TIPS), Region 8 Education Service Center
Opportunity number: 260805
Type: Request for Proposal, IDIQ cooperative contract
Issue date: August 6, 2026 at 8:00 AM CT
Deadline: September 18, 2026 at 3:00 PM CT
Status: Issued
Geography: TIPS public-entity and qualifying nonprofit members throughout the United States
Funding/contract value: No verified guaranteed spend, purchase quantity, or per-vendor cap is stated in the controlling public record.
Scope and Eligibility
The solicitation covers academic and educational goods and services. The official TIPS eBid notice expressly states that vendors holding expiring TIPS Contract 230805 for Science Equipment and Supplies must respond to RFP 260805 to prevent a lapse unless another current TIPS contract already covers all of their academic and educational offerings. The Texas ESBD notice also classifies the procurement under educational eLearning/software and educational/training services categories.
Vendors seeking award must register in the TIPS eBid system and submit a responsive proposal. TIPS states that registration alone does not make a company an awarded vendor. Proposals are scored under the solicitation’s predetermined rubric, and qualifying recommendations are submitted to the Region 8 Education Service Center Board of Trustees.
Required Publicly Identified Submission Materials
The current eBid record lists the 260805 RFP, two required pricing workbooks, instructions for three required customer reference letters, a required confidentiality claim form, the Vendor Agreement, Vendor Agreement Signature Form, conditional Conflict of Interest Questionnaire (Form CIQ), conditional federal lobbying disclosure (Standard Form LLL), and Exhibit A state notice. Vendors must review the complete portal-controlled RFP and attribute questions before submission.
Atlas Fit Assessment
Atlas Opportunity Score: 83/100. This is a meaningful school-sector cooperative procurement because an award can create a reusable purchasing vehicle across TIPS members rather than a one-time district sale. The short remaining response window and mandatory reference documentation reduce practical readiness.
N9+ Direct Vendor Fit: 32/100, conditional. There is a legitimate but secondary pathway because TIPS is absorbing the expiring Science Equipment and Supplies category into this procurement. N9+ could only be positioned here where the complete 260805 category structure accepts relevant Health Science or science instructional equipment and associated training. The separate TIPS RFP 260804 for Medical Equipment, Supplies, and Services is the more natural direct procurement vehicle for N9+ and should not be conflated with this education-focused solicitation.
Dr. Miltie readiness note: do not advance a direct 260805 submission unless the three required customer reference letters and all other vendor-controlled forms can be legitimately satisfied. Atlas will not fabricate references, pricing, certifications, or company-specific representations.
Official Sources
TIPS eBid – RFP 260805
TIPS – Becoming an Awarded Vendor
TIPS Bid Schedule
Source verified September 11, 2026.