About Us
Leaders in K-12 Procurement
The LTC Purchasing Program (formerly Illinois Learning Technology Purchase Program) is a service of the Learning Technology Center, and shares its vision of ensuring that all K-12 schools can fully leverage technology to cultivate secure, collaborative, and sustainable learning environments.
Our mission is to streamline how all Illinois K-12 educational communities access high-quality, affordable technology, digital learning resources, and learning opportunities
Through our statewide reach, we use our aggregated buying power to help hundreds of K-12 districts procure products and services from trusted, relevant Vendor Partners.
We also build bridges for our Vendor Partners, helping them reach an audience that’s eager to discover new and innovative solutions.
Our Guiding Principles
Collaboration, communication, and a commitment to excellence set our program apart from other procurement options. Our guiding principles ensure we keep these ideals at the center of our work when choosing Vendor Partners:
- Education-led Partnerships: All vendors participating in the program have been referred by education personnel and have not been solicited from the general public
- Proven Quality: We exclusively partner with reputable companies that are known to have provided exceptional service to K-12 clients while providing high-quality products.
- Reliability Worth Vouching For: The reliability of each prospective Vendor Partner is further researched by contacting three educational facilities that have purchased their products within the last year.
- Internal Review: Pricing and products are evaluated by an internal review committee, ensuring all members always get the best possible value when purchasing with our program.
- Relevant to Modern Learning: A Vendor Partner’s products must meaningfully enhance the learning environment, and the prices offered must save districts money compared to purchasing on the open market.
Eligibility
All PK-12 school districts and educational service agencies in Illinois are eligible to become LTC Purchasing Program members and utilize our pre-negotiated contracts. This includes:
- Public PK-12 districts
- Private PK-12 schools
- Regional offices of education and their programs
- Special education districts and cooperatives
- Vocational technology schools
- Educational service agencies
Some contracts are also open to local and state government agencies.
Legal Authority & Governance
The LTC Purchasing Program is a program of the Learning Technology Center, which in turn utilizes Champaign-Ford Regional Office of Education 9 (ROE 9), a county governmental office, as its fiscal agent.
All operations are in accordance with Illinois School Code (105 ILSC 5/10-20.21) and guided by representatives from various districts and Educational Service Agencies.
Our History
Two Decades of Savings
Since its establishment in 1998 as a joint program of Illinois’ regional Learning Technology Hubs, the LTC Purchasing Program has aggregated buying power and expertise to provide districts with better prices on technology-related products and streamline the otherwise complex technology bidding process.
After restructuring in 2017, the program became a service of the unified Learning Technology Center, where its team continued to support the evolving needs of digital learning – including by providing affordable options for connecting students to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our Program Today
In 2019, the LTC Purchasing Program joined the Association of Educational Purchasing Agencies (AEPA), a multi-state non-profit cooperative of state educational entities that works together to negotiate competitively bid contracts. By leveraging the combined buying power of 25+ member states, ILTPP and AEPA allow all schools and agencies to purchase with equal power, regardless of size.
Today, the program remains committed to helping K-12 districts make informed, strategic decisions about technology investments. We continue to bring new vendor options to the forefront, and stand alongside K-12 purchasers as they navigate funding reductions and price instability.
Meet our Team
We’re ready support your school’s next purchase, from quote to check-out.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is LTC Purchasing Program and why should I join?
LTC Purchasing Program is a free, statewide cooperative of Illinois K-12 educational entities that aggregate buying power and expertise to procure technology products and services at better prices than are available to an individual organization. LTC Purchasing Program helps save you time and money.
Who is eligible to become a member?
All contracts allow the following entities to purchase.
- Public Pk-12 school districts
- Private Pk-12 school districts
- Regional Offices of Education and Programs
- Special Education Districts and Cooperatives
- Vocational Technology Schools
- Learning Technology Center
- Educational Service Agencies
- Libraries
- Head Start Programs
What is the cost?
Membership for LTC Purchasing Program is entirely free!
Do LTC Purchasing Program Partners allow purchase orders?
Most LTC Purchasing Program Partners allow customers to use purchase orders. For contract-specific details, please see the contract profile page or contact the Account Manager listed on the contract page.
Are LTC Purchasing Program contracts E-Rate Eligible?
Some product categories that meet the requirements for E-Rate purchases. If you have additional questions about E-Rate, please contact Mindy Fiscus, our Director of Government Affairs, at mfiscus@ltcillinois.org.