Support the Higher Ed Workforce

AI Innovation Stalls Without Strong Supply Chains

As artificial intelligence scales rapidly, its progress is being limited by a critical yet often overlooked factor: the physical supply chain. While focus tends to fall on algorithms and GPUs, the real bottlenecks lie in infrastructure — from data centers and energy capacity to labor, telecom, and key components like transformers and cooling systems. These challenges are delaying deployments, inflating costs, and putting pressure on hyperscalers and OEMs.Procurement leaders are now central to solving this crisis. Long lead times, volatile energy prices, tariffs, and limited supplier visibility are making strategic sourcing more essential than ever. GEP’s report outlines how organizations can build resilience through diversified sourcing, long-term contracts, and closer coordination with utilities and EPCs.

The E&I Portfolio

Your Trusted Procurement Partner in Education

E&I Cooperative Services has been advancing procurement excellence since 1934. Founded by higher education institutions and 100% member-owned, we are the only non-profit cooperative dedicated exclusively to serving the education sector.

 Contracts You Can Count On| E&I solicits and manages contracts on your behalf — delivering fully vetted, compliant, and competitively sourced agreements that save your institution time, resources, and risk.

 Simplified Processes, Smarter Projects | Avoid the cost and complexity of RFPs. E&I streamlines your procurement process, reduces administrative workload, and supports long-term planning with proven, pre-competed contracts.

Strategic Spend Assessments — At No Cost | Gain visibility into your spending with no-cost Strategic Spend Assessments (SSA’s). We help you identify savings opportunities, forecast procurement needs, and improve efficiency — all tailored to your institution’s goals. 

Need more information? Contact your E&I member representative to learn more about E&I's contract portfolio.

Dollars

$3,000,000,000

in E&I member purchases

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200+

competitively solicited contracts

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6,000

member institutions

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$0.00

cost to join E&I