Dedicated to working together for quality purchases for the District
The Austin Independent School District's Office of Contract and Procurement works with schools, departments, vendors and stakeholders to provide goods and services of the highest quality and best value for the District. We are dedicated to meeting our goal through competitive pricing while adhering to relevant laws, Board rules, policies and procedures.
Procurement Teams
James Sessions
Executive Director
512-414-2161
james.sessions@austinisd.org
Annie Collier
Assistant Director
512-414-2124
annie.collier@austinisd.org
Vacant
Executive Assistant
512-414-2204
Anita Muscarella
Senior Procurement Specialist
512-414-9800
anita.muscarella@austinisd.org
Jessica R. Balandrán
Procurement Specialist
512-414-2126
jessica.balandran@austinisd.org
Veronica Salazar
Procurement Assistant
512-414-9801
veronica.salazar@austinisd.org
Academic Programs
The Instructional Procurement Team procures goods and services that support a variety of academic programs for students, teachers and administrative staff, including instructional materials for all core curriculum areas such as:
- Early Childhood
- Language Arts
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social Studies
- Fine Arts and Physical Education
- Bilingual / English Language Learners
- Response to Intervention
- Social and Emotional Learning
- Youth & Family Enrichment
Classroom and Facility
The team procures goods and services that are typically used inside the classroom. A classroom can include traditional campus classrooms as well as music rooms, gymnasiums, athletic facilities, etc. Examples of items procured by this team include
- Agendas
- Library supplies
- Art Supplies & Equipment
- Musical instruments
- Books & Periodicals
- Nurse & first aid supplies
- Classroom & paper supplies
- Office supplies & Copy Paper
- Diplomas & Covers
- PE supplies & equipment
- Instructional Learning Aids
- Uniforms
Interdepartmental
The Instructional Procurement Team also works closely with the Office of Academics and Social and Emotional Learning and the Office of School Leadership to streamline the contracting process in procuring the following services for campuses and departments:
- Assessment and Student Progress Monitoring
- Professional Development
- Family Resource and Student Counseling Centers
- Special Education Services
- Fine Arts & Creative Learning Partnerships
- Tutoring Services
- Health & Wellness
- Youth & Family Enrichment Out of School Time Programming
Brenda Dalton
Senior Procurement Specialist
512-414-2113
brenda.dalton@austinisd.org
Lorena McBee
Procurement Specialist
512-414-2127
lorena.mcbee@austinisd.org
Laura Bradshaw
Procurement Assistant
512-414-2125
laura.bradshaw@austinisd.org
The Technology Procurement Team is responsible for creating and maintaining strategic vendor relationships and supply agreements with technology vendors.This includes hardware, software and peripherals.They work closely with various departments in Technology to ensure the products are compatible with theAISD network environment and provide the functionality necessary in the education environment.
The Technology Procurement Team is also the designated purchasing team for both GAATN E-rate funded projects. All formal Bids and RFPs for these projects are issued through our office by the technology team. Although Austin ISD issues all formal solicitations for GAATN projects, final approval to award a GAATN funded contract is made by the GAATN Board of Trustees.
GAATN provides fiber optic connections to member agencies in order to offer expanded communication services for each of the GAATN participants. This includes the capability for the delivery of data, voice, and video services across the entire Austin Metropolitan area. Every AISD campus is connected to the GAATN network. The AISD Contract and Procurement Services office has been appointed the purchasing agent for GAATN. Formal GAATN solicitations come through our office and if a GAATN procurement requires Board approval, it does not go before the Austin Independent School District Board, it goes directly to the GAATN Board.
GAATN Member Agencies include:
- Austin Independent School District
- Austin Community College
- Lower Colorado River Authority
- City of Austin
- Travis County
- The State of Texas represented by the Department of Information Resources
- University of Texas at Austin
For more information please visit the GAATN Website.
E-Rate is a discount program provided by the Federal Government and funded by telecommunications providers that helps supply schools and libraries with the latest technology pursuant to Section 254(h) of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, implemented by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Since 2007 we have received $20.7 million in E-Rate funding for the implementation and maintenance of Internet services, telephone services, and network hardware to provide our classrooms with the latest technology services.
The AISD Contract and Procurement Services office has been appointed the purchasing agent for E-Rate. Formal E-Rate bids and solicitations come through our office and are processed by the technology purchasing team.
For more information please visit the E-Rate website.
Vacant
Senior Procurement Specialist
512-414-2123
Julie Bynum
Procurement Specialist
512-414-2114
julie.bynum@austinisd.org
Vacant
Procurement Assistant
512-414-2261
The Business and Operations Procurement Team secures goods and services associated with maintenance, transportation and the day to day operations of all AISD facilities.This commodity includes items ranging from vehicles to janitorial supplies.They work closely with the AISD warehouse to ensure certain items are stocked and available to campuses regularly. Operations also procures services such as asbestos testing and abatement and charter bus rental.
The operations team has been working since 2011 on a classroom furniture refresh project and have replaced the classroom furniture in several elementary schools throughout the District. Many of our students are now using updated furniture that is conducive to a positive and progressive learning environment.
Jennifer Nix
Construction Procurement Contracts Coordinator
512-414-2241
jennifer.nix@austinisd.org
Vacant
Office Services Coordinator
512-414-3023
Cassandra Alvarez
Contract Management Assistant
512-414-9870
cassandra.alverez@austinisd.org
Amanda Frederick
Procurement Specialist
512-414-8937
amanda.frederick@austinisd.org
Sara Hildebrandt Gaspar
Administrative Assistant III
512-414-3052
sara.hildebrandtgaspar@austinisd.org
Misty Olsson
Procurement Specialist
512-414-0251
misty.olsson@austinisd.org
Jewel Amberger
Procurement Assistant
512-414-0258
jewel.amberger@austinisd.org
Vacant
Procurement Specialist
Legal Authority & Policy
Austin Independent School District follows the Texas Education Purchasing Code 44.031. Contract and Procurement Services is responsible for ensuring that goods and services are acquired in accordance with this code. AISD follows State, local and District policies to ensure the District is receiving best value while meeting quality requirements.
For further information visit the Texas Education Code
For District Purchasing Policy and Procedure please visit the Board Policy site.
Open Records Requests
The Texas Public Information Act, Texas Government Code, Chapter 552, requires Austin ISD to provide our records upon request. All requests should be made through the Office of the Superintendent.
Please visit our Texas Public Information Act page for more information and instructions on how to request AISD records.