Quilt Swap and Shop: R&E Network Equipment Availability

In an effort to address the needs of our members, The Quilt Swap and Shop is now open. As we looked into the near future, members identified the challenges and opportunities of:

• Tight budgets year-over-year
• Supply chain shortages
• Vendors end-of-life (EOL) equipment makes ¢ents!

Swap and Shop is a central place where Quilt members can share, swap or look for network gear within the community. Trading, selling, buying, loaning equipment with each other frees funding for other operational needs, or future purchases. With Quilt Swap and Shop we can create solutions together by:

• Reviewing our inventory
• Speaking to our procurement office
• Filling out as much or little information as we can (this is an informal listing for members to help members)
• Listing items we have available as well as what we need

Let’s Make a Deal (or How to Use The Quilt Swap and Shop)

1. Check your inventory. Do you have any equipment laying about and taking up space?
2. Talk to your procurement office and find out how you might be able to participate in “swap and shop”. Examples of ways to convince them may include:
   • A “loan”.
   • A “sale”.
   • A “disposition adjustment”.
   • Whatever they are willing to go for.
3. Click the Swap and Shop link and add the equipment you have to spare to the list.
4. Check to see if another member has a need.
   • If they do, reach out and prepare to do the red tape dance.
5. What do you need? Add this to the list as well.
6. Check back as often as you like. There’s always something new to see in the Swap and Shop 😉
7. Be sure to share any successes you had in swapping or shopping with Quilt staff.

Note: This is an interim solution to manage transient needs until supply chain issues for existing and new technology resolve.