MiSEN and REMC SAVE partner to secure affordable networking solutions

The initiative centers on the REMC SAVE 2026–2028 Networking & Security Bid, a collaborative purchasing effort designed to streamline procurement and ensure compliance with state and federal requirements. The bid is open to eligible vendors and supports a wide range of networking and security needs.

REMC SAVE, a free cooperative purchasing program of the REMC Association of Michigan, aggregates demand from schools and public agencies to secure competitive pricing while meeting Michigan bidding laws and saving eligible agencies over $150 million annually. 

Officials said aligning the bid with E-Rate requirements will help districts and libraries more efficiently access federal funding for broadband and network upgrades.

“Our mission has always been to maximize the purchasing power of Michigan’s educational community,” said Mike Richardson, REMC SAVE Director. “Through this landmark collaboration with MiSEN, the REMC Association is using its proven statewide procurement program REMC SAVE to deliver unprecedented opportunities. Together, we are providing schools, libraries, and healthcare providers with significant cost savings and a streamlined process that saves hundreds of hours of administrative work. This ensures everyone can efficiently access secure, modern network infrastructure while utilizing the billions of dollars available annually through this federal program.”

“Michigan schools and libraries rely on secure, high-performance networks to deliver instruction and services,” said Merri Lynn Colligan, director of MiSEN. “This partnership simplifies procurement, strengthens collaboration, and ensures access to scalable, cost-effective solutions statewide.”

Bid responses are due July 13, 2026, at 10 a.m. ET, with a public virtual opening scheduled for 10:30 a.m. the same day.

To support bidders, REMC SAVE will host a pre-bid webinar on June 4, 2026, at 2 p.m. ET. The session will review the Invitation to Bid (ITB), submission requirements, and timelines. Participation in the webinar is strongly encouraged. Officials emphasized that failure to attend will not excuse any errors or omissions in submitted bids. Webinar registration is available at https://bit.ly/saveprebidnetwork.

As schools continue to expand digital learning and address rising cybersecurity threats, this partnership aims to deliver a coordinated, efficient pathway for institutions to modernize their infrastructure and reduce the administrative burden of accessing available federal funds.For more information, including bid documents, please visit https://remcsave.org/bid-detail/91. 

About Michigan Statewide Educational Network (MiSEN): The Michigan Statewide Educational Network (MiSEN) supports connectivity, collaboration, and shared services for Michigan’s K12 education community, working to ensure equitable digital access and robust infrastructure statewide. The coordinated E-Rate filing across all ISDs, combined with the Michigan Department of Education’s grant support, has allowed MiSEN to build and sustain the State Education network that benefits every corner of the state. For more information, please visit www.misen.org. 

About the REMC Association of Michigan and REMC SAVE: The Regional Educational Media Center Association of Michigan (REMC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that promotes equity in education by providing services to local school districts through Michigan’s Intermediate School Districts (ISDs). Its procurement program, REMC SAVE, aggregates the purchasing power of Michigan schools and public agencies to secure large-volume discounts. This allows eligible agencies to save both time and money, ensuring they can acquire high-quality corporate and educational resources while remaining fully compliant with state bidding laws. For more information, please visit www.remc.org and www.remcsave.org.