c. Consistent with the current moratorium on the purchase of supplementary and reference materials, DECS funds should not be used to procure materials included in this list until or unless otherwise decided or authorized by the DECS Secretary. Thus, in the meantime, only non- DECS funds such as local school board/SEF funds may be used in the procurement of supplementary and reference materials in the list;

d. Government and non- government entities who intend to purchase materials listed herein are advised to purchase the same from duly accredited suppliers of the Department;

e. The prices contained herein are ceiling prices. Thus, the purchasing entities are advised to negotiate for discounts from suppliers particularly when large volume of purchases are involved, consistent with the established practice in the publishing industry, in order to secure the best terms for the government; and

f. Any purchase of supplementary and reference materials should be based in the specific needs, priorities, and/or validated requests of public elementary and secondary schools.