Microsoft Reseller and Proactive Support

FCC is Canada’s leading agriculture and food lender, dedicated to the industry that feeds the world. FCC employees are committed to the long-standing success of those who produce and process Canadian food by providing flexible financing, AgExpert business management software, information and knowledge. FCC provides a complement of expertise and services designed to support the complex and evolving needs of food businesses. As a financial Crown corporation, FCC is a stable partner that reinvests profits back into the industry and communities it serves. For more information, visit fcc.ca.

RFP CONTACT

Ronke Niagwan
Procurement Manager
Farm Credit Canada
procurement@fcc.ca

RFP SCOPE
The Microsoft M365 solution is foundational for FCC and is a key component in our business. We leverage majority of the Microsoft 365 offerings including Co-Pilot from Microsoft and host many services in the Azure cloud.  Majority of our users leverage E5 licenses, which also includes the M365 suite. FCC is also an early adopter of Microsoft Products and participates in Workshops, Assessments and Proactive Support.
FCC is looking for a License Service Provider (LSP) that would be a strategic partner for the procurement of licenses and subscriptions and will provide Microsoft licensing guidance through Proactive Support and value-add services as required.  This LSP must be able to manage an Enterprise Agreement for Schedule D customers. FCC is not looking to enter into a Cloud Service Provider (CSP) Agreement.
FCC currently has an LSP and should a new LSP be awarded seamless renewal, and potential transition to a new LSP, of the FCC/Microsoft EA renewal is critical prior to renewal of February 28, 2025.  FCC wants to mitigate any risk or delays in the transition and will rely on the LSP to make this transition possible. 
We require a Proponent who knows Microsoft’s products, and associated licensing in detail – including the most up-to-date changes in licensing models, pricing, and product offerings.  The LSP will be required to proactively keep FCC current on all the items mentioned above.
More details of scope included in the RFP document.

RFP PARTICULARS

• All conditions for Proponent participation are included in the RFP documents.
• Duration of Contract:  included in the RFP.
• Options: Not applicable.
• Estimated Quantity of Goods or Services:  Not applicable.
• Timeframe of Delivery of Goods or Services:  Not applicable.

RFP SCHEDULE

• RFP Release Date:  August 9, 2024
• Proponent Questions Accepted Until:  August 19, 2024 at 2:00 PM*
• FCC Response to Proponent Questions Delivered Before:  August 27, 2024 at 5:00PM*
• RFP Closing Date/Time:  September 6, 2024 at 2:00PM*

NOTE: All times are CST – Saskatchewan. The above dates are subject to change at the sole discretion of FCC. Any changes to the RFP Schedule will be communicated to all Proponents via amendment on MERX.

RFP PROCESS CONSIDERATIONS
 

• This opportunity is covered under the provisions of Chapter 5 (Government Procurement) of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) and Chapter 19 (Government Procurement) of the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).
• FCC is subject to the Official Languages Act (Canada). Proponents may choose to respond to this RFP in their official language of choice (English or French).
• This opportunity notice references a non-binding, competitive RFP, and is not a call for tenders. FCC is not obligated to proceed with the Work described in the RFP Scope and may cancel the RFP at any time. FCC’s procurement process allows for consecutive or concurrent negotiations between FCC and one (1) or multiple Proponents, prior to awarding a Contract.

MERX ELECTRONIC BIDDING SYSTEM
 

• This Request for Proposals (RFP), including any attachments and amendments to such RFP, is available for download by the Proponent on MERX. MERX is a Canadian Public Tenders electronic bidding system accessible at https://www.merx.com. It is the sole responsibility of the Proponent to ensure its compatibility with MERX.
• Proponent proposals MUST be submitted electronically through MERX, preferably in a PDF or MS Word file, prior to the RFP Closing Date/Time specified in the RFP. Proposals submitted in other formats, by other methods or through any other means, or after the RFP Closing Date/Time specified in the RFP, may be rejected by FCC.

PRIORITY OF DOCUMENTS

In the event there are any discrepancies between this opportunity notice and the information on the MERX website proper, this opportunity notice shall take precedence.
 

Bidding and Documents are available on http://www.merx.com. Fees may apply; See https://www.merx.com/public/pricing for more information.