Intent to Participate - Cloud Solutions and Services Distributor

The State of Montana, through E & I Cooperative Services, is seeking a Cloud Solutions and Services Distributor via a cooperative purchasing solicitation identified as SPB-IntoPA-2020-0257AH. The procurement covers multiple commodity codes, including cloud services, software reselling, storage and backup software/hardware, and computing maintenance services. The solicitation was open from June 26, 2020, at 2:00 PM MDT and closed on August 7, 2020, at 11:00 AM MDT, with interested vendors instructed to submit responses directly to E & I Cooperative Services. The primary objective is to establish a master contract for cloud solution distribution that can be utilized by the state and potentially other cooperative members. The solicitation documentation was made available for download on the E & I Cooperative Services website, with Amanda Henrich, Contracts Officer, serving as the primary contact for vendor questions. Vendors were required to respond with comprehensive proposals demonstrating their capabilities in cloud solutions, distribution infrastructure, and service management.

While specific set-aside designations were not explicitly detailed in the provided documentation, the cooperative purchasing model suggests potential opportunities for diverse vendors. The solicitation appears to be open to multiple types of technology service providers capable of supporting cloud solutions and services distribution. No incumbent vendors were identified in the documents, and specific award values or budget ranges were not disclosed. The procurement seems designed to create a flexible master contract that can accommodate various institutional needs, particularly within educational and governmental sectors. The cooperative purchasing approach indicates that the resulting contract could potentially be leveraged by multiple jurisdictions beyond Montana, providing broad market access for the selected vendor(s). The electronic submission process through E & I's sourcing solution suggests a preference for technologically sophisticated and adaptable service providers who can demonstrate comprehensive cloud service capabilities.