Western Michigan University departments have access to a number of competitive contracts, which are available through the University as well as through a variety of consortium memberships. These contracts have already gone through a competitive bid process and offer competitive rates, which means that utilizing University contracts and most consortium contracts precludes departments from having to go through the complete competitive bidding process.
University contracts
- Bus Rental
- Car Rental
- Letterheads, Envelopes and Business Cards
- Office Supplies
- Professional Apparel
- Truck Rental
Charter Bus Rental: Indian Trails
Western Michigan University’s transportation option for single use trips requiring vehicles larger than those available with the rental car contract.
Contact Information
109 East Comstock Street,
Owosso, MI 48867
Phone: 800-292-3831
Email: chief@indiantrails.com
Vehicle Fleet Information
Indian Trails has 29 motor-coaches available, 30-45 feet in length, that accommodate between 34 and 56 passengers. Most of the 45 foot motor-coaches are wheelchair accessible and all motor-coaches are equipped amenities including DVD players, broadband Wi-Fi, individual light and climate controls, footrests, restrooms, 110V or USB outlets at each seat, GPS, wireless P/A system, 3-point seat belts, color monitors, headrests, reclining seats, security cameras and overhead storage.
Booking
For cost and availability, contact Indian Trails at 800-292-3831 and ask for the Charter Sales Department or go online and click the "Get a Quote" tab. You will be asked to complete a form with information about your upcoming charter needs. Indian Trails will confirm pricing and availability within 24 hours of a quote request, but often times sooner. Please note the following when quoting a motor-coach:
- When completing the quote form, reference Western Michigan University in order to receive negotiated contract rates.
- A quote does not guarantee availability and is not a firm booking. Once you receive a quote, you must confirm the information with the Charter Sales Department in order to make a firm reservation. Following your confirmation, a Charter Confirmation will be immediately emailed to the requesting party confirming availability and reserving the motor-coach.
- The preferred notice to book a motor-coach is six months, but bookings can be done a minimum of two weeks in advance (subject to availability). Booking can be done up to a year in advance.
Payment Information
Invoicing is done following the conclusion of the trip. Payment terms are net 30 days and can be done via University check or procurement card.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation fees will be charged for charters cancelled less than 30 days before departure at a rate of $100.00 per coach per charter day. Any charters cancelled at the pick up or any time after the scheduled dispatch time will result in additional fees equal to the amount of time or miles operated.
Car Rental: Hertz
Western Michigan University has a negotiated contract with Hertz Rent-A-Car. The University travel website has details on the rental car arrangement.
Letterheads, Envelopes and Business Cards: Printlink
Purchases can be made online through Printlink for stationery under $5,000.
Office Supplies: Staples
Purchases can be made online through Staples for office supplies and related items under $5,000 (please note that you first need to complete the Staples User Registration).
Campus Delivery Update: As of October 19, 2020 Staples desktop delivery will resume based on department requests. Departments may choose delivery to their department location or to central receiving in the Staples Advantage account, based on current operating hours. Click here for instructions.
Professional Apparel: Marketing Tools, Inc.
Professional apparel with University and department brands and logos is now available online. Product, ordering and contact information can all be found on the apparel website.
Truck Rental: Star Truck
Western Michigan University partners with Star Truck for daily, weekly or monthly truck rentals.
Contact Information
3717 King Highway
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
Phone: 269-385-5933 or after 5 p.m. 269-385-5935
After hour emergency phone: 1-800-748-0468
Hours of Operation
Monday – Friday 5 a.m. to midnight
Fleet Information
Star rental trucks are late model, expertly maintained vehicles so they are dependable and reliable equipment. Choose from cargo vans to trailer-tractors up to 160,000 GVW. Rent with confidence, knowing you have 24-hour emergency road service through Star’s statewide facilities and nationwide through our National Lease affiliates.
- Commercial specifications
- Refrigerated units
- Heavy duty “Michigan specials”
- Air conditioning
- Stereo audio system with AM/FM
- Heated mirrors
- Air ride suspension
- Lift gates or ramps
consortium contracts
Western Michigan University is a member of several purchasing consortia. Each consortium is made up of a different member base of independent organizations that join together for the purpose of combining individual requirements for the purchase of goods and services. Participating in consortia organizations allow the University to leverage the purchasing power of a group of organizations and obtain preferential contract pricing and terms.
All departments within the University have access to consortium contracts when the University is a member of the consortium. To purchase using a consortium contract, follow the standard purchasing process , including submitting a purchase requisition along with contract pricing and source of the contract. When utilizing a consortium contract, departments may likely be able to forgo the University’s competitive bid requirements due to the consortium already following a competitive bid process on behalf of the institution. There will be instances when it is still beneficial for the University to competitively bid products and/or services despite a consortium contract. The bid decision is at the discretion of the purchasing department.
Western Michigan University has access to the following consortium contracts. Contact the Purchasing Department with any questions on accessing and utilizing these contracts.
Educational & Institutional Cooperative (E&I)
E & I is a non-profit buying cooperative established by members of the National Association of Educational Procurement (NAEP) to provide goods and services to its members at the best possible prices. The cooperative serves more than 2,000 colleges, universities, hospitals, K-12, and research institutions located in the United States. E & I provides access to a vast number of contracts covering a variety of product and service categories such as books and media, furniture, office equipment, delivery and freight, maintenance products, moving and travel services. For more information on E&I and to search available contracts, visit the E&I website or contact the University Purchasing Department for assistance.
GSA
GSA is a cooperative for state, local, and tribal governments. Contracts offered include IT, security, and law enforcement products and services. For more information on GSA and to search available contracts, visit the GSA website or contact the University Purchasing Department for assistance.
Hospital Purchasing Services (HPS)
HPS is a member-owned group purchasing organization with nearly 4,000 Members in 22 states. The organization has been in operation since 1949. HPS offers more than 120 regional contracts, as well as a national contract portfolio through ROi (Resource Optimization & Innovation). For more information on HPS and to search available contracts, visit the HPS website or contact the University Purchasing Department for assistance.
MiDeal
MiDEAL is an extended purchasing program which allows Michigan local units of government to use state contracts to buy goods and services. There are over 400 contracts available to MiDEAL members. For more information on MiDeal and to search available contracts, visit the state of Michigan website or contact the University Purchasing Department for assistance.
Midwestern Higher Education Compact (MHEC)
MHEC is a regional cooperative serving Michigan as well as Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. The organization aims to enhance member states higher education opportunity through resource sharing. Contracts through MHEC include energy solutions, healthcare solutions, master property program and technology. For a complete list of commodities offered and a supplier list, visit the MHEC website.
National Intergovernmental Purchasing Alliance Company (National IPA)
National IPA is a purchasing cooperative formed through several public agencies throughout the United States with the purpose of reducing costs by forming group volume. Some of the contract categories offered by National IPA include fuel, water treatment, furniture, transportation, medical supplies and more. Visit the National IPA website or contact the University Purchasing Department for more information on available contracts.
Sourcewell
Sourcewell holds hundreds of competitively solicited cooperative contracts ready for use and competitively bid using the buying power of 50,000 government, education, and nonprofit organizations. For a list of available contracts, visit the Sourcewell website or contact the University Purchasing Department for assistance.
U.S. Communities Government Purchasing Alliance
U.S Communities is a government purchasing cooperative of members in higher education, K-12, government agencies, and nonprofits. Contracts offered include office solutions, facilities solutions, technology, recreation and athletic solutions and more. Visit the U.S. Communities website for more information or contact the University Purchasing Department for assistance.