IN THIS ISSUE:

* Telecommunications/Internet Services RFP Update and Request for Member Participation

* Desire2Learn and MiCTA/ATAlliance: Advancing eLearning Webinar

* MiCTA/Qwest Sign Amendment to Broaden Offering and Improve Rates

* Another Great MiCTA Program Gets Even Better

* Video Integration Services RFP Awarded

* MiCTA/ATAlliance and MCI Announce Strong New Amendment to Contract

* Welcome to New Members

* Brodart Special

* Office Depot Special

Telecommunications/Internet Services RFP- Update and Request for Member Participation

In July 2004, the Telecommunications/Internet Services (TIS) RFP initiative was endorsed by both the MiCTA and ATAlliance boards. Presently, the MiCTA staff and volunteers are making good progress on this project. The RFP will focus on telecommunications and Internet services addressing voice, video, and data services including related equipment and software. Additionally, MSC will file a USF form 470 with the SLD, which will address all e-rate eligible telecommunications and Internet services.

Member Project Support

For the past seven years, members have enjoyed significant savings through utilization of MiCTA Telecommunication Services and Internet Access Agreements. The aggregation of member demand for voice, video and data services as well as equipment requirements, has strengthened the MiCTA / ATAlliance position and allowed MSC to negotiate exceptional rates on behalf of the membership nationwide. Additionally, stating committed sales potential within an RFP represents a powerful message for vendors when negotiating for additional discounts and concessions on behalf of the MiCTA / ATAlliance membership.

Members are invited to participate in this process by responding to the TIS Member Survey, which identifies their telecommunications and Internet services requirements. These survey responses will act as the basis for the RFP’s core requirements. Submitting a survey response does not commit a Member to purchase from the resulting TIS Agreement. Member participation in MiCTA / ATAlliance programs is strictly voluntary

To further strengthen the MSC negotiating position, Members are asked to volunteer to be Anchor Tenants for this RFP initiative. An anchor tenant provides a commitment of support for the process by disclosing their service and product requirements along with estimated usage volumes in the RFP, and agrees to participate in the resulting programs. Members can volunteer to be Anchor Tenants through the TIS Member Survey.

RFP Committee Volunteers

Member support, through RFP committee participation and usage of resulting agreements, is important to the success of each RFP initiative. Members are encouraged to volunteer their time and expertise for either or both the RFP Development and/or Evaluation Committee.

Development Committee:
The MiCTA / ATAlliance Network and Technology Committees will assist in developing the RFP’s technical requirements, and are extending an invitation to Members to assist with the process. If you or one of your colleagues has voice, video, and/or data services and product expertise and would like to serve on the RFP Development Committee, complete the Committee Registration Form and submit on or before September 30, 2004 .

Evaluation Committee:
Members are invited to participate in the evaluation of vendor RFP responses either off-site (Member’s location) or on-site (Evaluation Retreat location). Those interested in serving should submit a Committee Registration Form.

RFP Communication Channel

All communications regarding this RFP initiative should be directed to the project coordinator, Joan Hartman at jhartman@mictaservice.com, or 1-888-870-8677 x105.

Desire2Learn and MiCTA/ATAlliance: Advancing eLearning Webinar

Tuesday, October 12, 2004 , 2-3 PM ET  

Join Desire2Learn Inc., a world-leading provider of enterprise learning systems, and MiCTA, a nonprofit technology provider, for a free Advancing eLearning Webinar. This presentation will provide you with an up-front and interactive glimpse at the latest eLearning technologies. You’ll learn about the D2L Learning Environment, the D2L Learning Object Repository (LOR), and the recently launched D2L User Community. This 60-minute Webinar features live demonstrations and Q&A with Desire2Learn Founder, President and CEO, John Baker and MiCTA Service Corporation President/CEO, John Rathje.

Advance registration is required. Sign up by visiting http://www.desire2learn.com/registration/mictasignup.asp or call 1-888-870-8677.

MiCTA/Qwest Sign Amendment Broadening Offering and Improving Rates

Another Great MiCTA Program Gets Even Better

MiCTA and Sprint are pleased to announce a new International Voice calling plan with rates that are more aggressive than ever before. Also, we are especially pleased to announce that we have established new International Video rates. Members may click here for more details and complete pricing information.

Video Integration Services RFP Awarded  

The VIS Evaluation Committee completed award recommendations, which received final approval from both the MiCTA and ATAlliance Boards. Successful vendors will be notified of their award recommendations, and the first negotiation sessions will be scheduled within the next two weeks. MSC’s goal is to have executed agreements available to the membership by September 30 th.

The Committee felt that each of the vendors recommended for awards under this RFP brought programs to the table that would benefit the diversity of organizations MiCTA / ATAlliance represent. It seemed the best way to utilize the strength of these programs was to offer more than one level of endorsement. Therefore, the VIS Evaluation Committee submitted and received approval for the following award level revisions:

Endorsed -1: Offered to vendor(s) who meet and/or exceed all core RFP and evaluation criteria requirements, demonstrate excellent financial stability, provide strong nationwide and international coverage with remote sales / service offices available regionally, and provide the best overall value.

Endorsed -2: Offered to vendors who meet most core RFP and evaluation criteria requirements, demonstrate very good financial stability, provide very good geographical coverage but with fewer remote sales / service offices, and provide an overall very good value.

Approved: Offered to vendors who minimally meet most core RFP and evaluation criteria requirements, demonstrate good financial stability, provide good geographical coverage, and an overall good value.

As the vendor negotiations are completed and contracts executed by parties, vendor award summaries, evaluation criteria, and project status reports will be posted to the VIS page for Member review.

MiCTA and the ATAlliance would like to thank all Member volunteers who participated in the VIS RFP development, evaluation, and award process. Your dedication of time and expertise is invaluable to the success of each RFP initiative.

MiCTA/ATAlliance and MCI Announce Strong New Amendment to Contract

MiCTA/ATAlliance are pleased to announce an amendment with MCI that expands services and lowers rates. MCI’s new offering is national and includes a full spectrum of communication solutions including: local, long distance, frame relay, calling card service, toll free service, Internet, net and audio conferencing as well as Image Port fax services. For immediate assistance and pricing, please contact the MiCTA/ATA office at 888-870-8677.

Welcome to New Members

Alameda Unified School District
Broward Schools Credit Union
Colorado Democratic Party
Concord College
First Baptist Church of Harvester
Legal Services of New York
Lincoln University
Missouri Association of Community Task Forces
Missouri NEA
SECOM
St. Clair County

Rubbermaid® Antistatic Chairmat, Contour, 39" x 49"

ONLY $69.99!!!

Save almost $50.00!!

A contemporary look for the design-conscious individual, these chairmats feature a ramped edge for easy chair movement from carpet to mat, gripper cleats to hold mat in place and texture surface to hide scuffs and marks. Eliminates static charges to help prevent damage to your computer data — requires no ground cord. Manufacturer's lifetime guarantee.

Interested? For details on this product or other Office Depot services, please contact your MiCTA/Office Depot
Account Manager, Sarah Short
800-578-9675 x: 5910
sshort@officedepot.com

Brodart Library Signage is 20% off!

Direct, inform, identify and recognize with Brodart Signage Solutions! MiCTA members receive 20% off all signage from Brodart – including Custom-Engraved Laminate signs, Section/Shelf Labels, Classification signs, Overhead Signs and more! Click here to check out Brodart’s exclusive Line of Sight signage, the better way to direct patrons and staff throughout your shelving stacks.

For more information on products and services for MiCTA members from Brodart:

Call: 1-800-233-8467 Ext. 4338
Click: http://www.shopbrodart.com/pricing/micta/
Fax: 1-800-578-1064
email: lyndapierce@brodart.com

PREVIOUS MICTA ALERTS

• July 2004

• June 2004

• May 2004

• April 2004

• March 2004

• February 2004

• January 2004

• November 2003

• October 2003

• September 2003

• August 2003

• June 2003

• May 2003

• April 2003