In 1980, the state changed career education from discretionary grants to formula funding through the regular school budget. Only a handful of career education projects survived that funding change. Because Mohave County Career Education had diversified into other programs, the schools in the county decided to keep the project alive. The name was changed to Mohave Educational Services Cooperative (Mohave, for short). Mohave operated through the Mohave County School Superintendent's office.

In 1981-82, Mohave introduced local schools to educational software through the Minnesota Educational Computer Consortium (MECC). Mohave County districts were saving money on this software through the cooperative. When schools outside Mohave County inquired if they could be provided the same services, the Mohave County Attorney approved participation by other school districts, as long as they paid an administration fee that covered all our costs for providing them with services. Over the years, Mohave has expanded its contracting into other products and services for schools and non-school agencies throughout Arizona

To fill the statewide need for equipment and services, Mohave has competitively solicited and awarded cooperative procurement contracts. Mohave follows the same rules and procedures our members must use to award procurement contracts. All members can order through Mohave using those contracts. This procedure, cooperative purchasing, saves members time and money. Since Mohave seeks prices for the entire state, vendors offer lower prices than they would on a single member's contract.

Using Mohave contracts, our members are able to purchase a variety of required materials, construction and services, with even the smallest member enjoying the purchasing power of the entire state. Taxpayers are saving money, and more materials to support important functions are available at reasonable prices.

Effective January 1, 2008, Mohave implemented a new process change that allowed for purchase orders to be made out directly to the vendors. This had been requested for many years and the timing and situation became right to accomplish this change. After a year of training to vendors and members, Mohave began this process change. Among the major changes to this are the new invoicing and payment procedures as outlined in the revised Member Handbook and Vendor Handbook. Vendors are now invoicing members directly and members are now paying the vendors directly. Mohave's staff is still reviewing purchase orders and conducting audits of orders; however, the vendors and members now have far greater roles in the process of using Mohave contracts. Mohave is still an integral part of contract administration and management as well as being available for any dispute resolution.

For nearly 40 years, Mohave's staff has been dedicated to providing the finest service possible to our members. Our staff is qualified, trained and experienced. Several have achieved professional certification in their areas of expertise. Mohave has received the Annual Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award® from the National Purchasing Institute (NPI) on four separate occasions. We have been successful in receiving this prestigious award each time we have submitted an application. Mohave has also received the NIGP Outstanding Agency Accreditation Achievement Award® which is effective until September 2010. Mohave has held this certification since September 2001. These awards were given in recognition of Mohave's professional purchasing program.