Microsoft Enterprise Licensing and CSP Services - Pre-Market Engagement

Mid Ulster District Council is seeking market input to inform its procurement strategy for Microsoft enterprise licensing, CSP services, and specialist expertise. This pre-market engagement exercise (not a formal tender) aims to understand available market models, pricing approaches, support arrangements, and service options before launching a full procurement process. The Council's Microsoft estate includes Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, Teams, Power Platform, Azure, and server licensing with Software Assurance requirements. The Council seeks input on suitable agreement routes (CSP, Enterprise Agreement, or alternatives), billing models, licence optimization, tenant support, adoption, security and compliance support, and access to qualified Microsoft expertise. Qualified Microsoft CSP partners are invited to provide responses addressing: licensing supply and management options; licence optimization, inventory tracking, and compliance reporting; technical expertise across Microsoft 365, Azure, Dynamics 365, and security services; billing, subscription, incident support, and account governance; and transparent pricing structures showing margins, discounts, and separate service rates. Responses will help the Council evaluate partner qualifications, accreditations, insurance, service capability, support models, and the balance between price, quality, and added value. Procurement is expected to launch in October 2026, with contract commencement on 31 January 2027. Responses are due by 3:00 pm on 24 September 2026 via eTendersNI.