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*Contracts Connection*

Aug. 11, 2022

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In this Special Edition:

*New guide offers resources for environmentally friendly purchasing*

*Microsoft will consult with customers on changes to support package*

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GREEN PROCUREMENT

Say hello to the Washington Green Purchasing Guide

Washington is working to improve green purchasing through its supplier partnerships and contracts.

To assist, the Department of Enterprise Services (DES) has developed a Green Purchasing Guide that helps state agencies and other public entities in Washington to contract for and purchase goods and services that minimize workplace hazards, conserve energy and water, protect natural resources and reduce waste.

The Green Purchasing Guide is available on the newly refreshed Environmentally Preferred Purchasing (EPP) webpage [ [link removed] ].

The guide includes an overview of Washington?s green purchasing regulations, checklists for identifying green products and boilerplate language for state contracts that incorporate green products and services.?

Examples of green purchases by state government include:


* Cleaning and janitorial products
* Energy-efficient electronics
* LED lights
* Traffic paint with low levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
* Recycled paper products
* Compostable single-use utensils and dishware
* Electric vehicles for state fleets

New contracts will ask vendors to report agency purchases of green products in a new reporting spreadsheet that captures green labels and certifications within a particular product category.

Enterprise Services is asking contract specialists in its Contracts and Procurement Division to test and comment on the Green Purchasing Guide ? what works and what doesn?t? ? when considering contracts with potential for ?going green.?

DES would also appreciate hearing from procurement professionals in public agencies statewide about the guide and its usefulness for their own green contracts. Comments or questions can be directed to DES?s Cheral Manke <[email protected]> and Leatta Dahlhoff <[email protected]>.

SOFTWARE SUPPORT

Microsoft updates plan to retire 24x7 benefit

In 2019, Microsoft announced imminent changes to the Software Assurance ?24x7 Problem Resolution Support? benefit, and today the company announced a revised plan for those changes.

Microsoft initially said it would retire the 24x7 Support benefit and replace it with as-needed support with a 24-hour response time for customers with Software Assurance spend of more than $250,000.

Based on current benefit usage, Microsoft says it will instead fully retire the 24x7 Problem Resolution Support benefit for all customers effective Feb. 1, 2023. Find details of the benefit retirement at this support page [ [link removed] ].

*What this means for customers*

Microsoft?s statement says:

?Our goal is to ensure every customer gets comparable support services at a comparable price, despite the benefit retirement. If you have a Premier or Unified Support contract, Microsoft will reach out to you starting August 2022 as part of your support renewal to discuss your specific transition plan and next steps.?

In the meantime, customers can use their 24x7 Support benefit until it is retired.

The company says Microsoft Professional Support [ [link removed] ] is also available as pay-per-incident or in a pack of five incidents for customers who do not have a support contract when the changes are implemented.

To submit a Software Assurance support incident, visit this support page [ [link removed] ]. For more information on the additional benefits of Software Assurance, visit the Software Assurance page [ [link removed] ].






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*DES Contracts and Procurement*

*360-407-2210 | [email protected]*

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