WSCA and Master Contracts FAQs
Can I use a Master Contract?
Master Contracts may be used by any entity eligible to receive services from
DIS, including state and local government entities and qualifying
non-profits. You must have an established business relationship with
DIS through a Customer
Service Agreement.
Master Contract products and services are not for personal use.
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How do I use a Master Contract?
If you are eligible to receive services from DIS, including state and local
government entities and qualifying non-profits and have a
Customer Service Agreement with DIS, you can order directly from the
contractor, whose contact information is listed for each Master Contract.
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What is a Master Contract?
A Master Contract is an optional-use contract, established and administered by
the Department of Information Services (DIS) and used by state and local
government entities and qualifying non-profits to purchase products and
services directly from contractors. Master Contracts result from competitive
solicitations run by DIS or run by the Western States Contracting Alliance
(WSCA) and adopted as a Master Contract for Washington.
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What can I buy?
A complete list of eligible products and services is provided on the main
Master Contracts page.
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What is the cost?
Master Contracts are competitively established and awarded based on cost and
other factors and price lists are provided for each Master Contract. The prices
should be considered maximum or ceiling prices and are based on lower volume
purchases. Additional discounts may be available based on order quantity,
manufacturer or dealer incentives, or other competitive factors. Contractors
are allowed to charge less than the stated contract price. Check your invoice
against the price list to make sure you are not charged more than the contract
price.
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Are special forms required for placing orders?
No, but in some instances a Statement of Work may be required. If this
supplementary agreement is required, a sample Statement of Work is provided on
the TechMall™. Always reference the Master Contract number on your purchase
orders. If there is any inconsistency between the terms of a purchase order or
other order document and those in the contract, the Master Contract terms and
conditions will prevail.
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How do I place an order?
Product and service orders are submitted directly to the contractor; whose
contact information is listed for each Master Contract. You must include the
Master Contract number on all order documents.
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What is the DIS Master Contract administration fee?
The DIS Master Contract administration fee offsets the costs for contract
establishment and administration, product and price auditing, purchaser
assistance, and Web access. Contractors submit activity reports and
administration fees to DIS as outlined in the contract.
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Who can I contact if I need help or have questions about Master Contracts?
Master Contract Administrator
Washington State Department of Information Services
Telecommunication Services Division
Street Address: 2411 Chandler Court SW, Olympia, WA 98502-6038
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 42445, Olympia, WA 98504-2445
Phone: 1-888-729-8243 or 360-902-3301
Fax: 360-664-0711
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I'm an IT products supplier, how do I get a Master Contract?
Master Contracts are awarded via competitive acquisitions (Request for
Proposals, Request for Quotations, etc.). To encourage the fullest possible
involvement of companies in IT-related solicitations we post
procurement announcements electronically on the TechMall and in
WEBS and advertise them in the
Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce. We also maintain a LISTSERV® that automatically notifies subscribers of
IT solicitations advertised by DIS.
You can view the current
Master Contracts to get an idea of the types and their duration.
Acquisitions to replace expiring Master Contracts are usually released about
six months prior to a Master Contract’s final expiration date.
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What is the Department of Information Services (DIS)?
The Department of Information Services (DIS) is a Washington State agency
charged under chapter
43.105 RCW with providing information technology (IT) services to state
and local government entities and qualifying non-profits.
We provide telecommunications, computing and digital government services to more
than 700 state agencies, boards and commissions, local governments, tribal
organizations and qualifying non-profits. We operate a secure, statewide
standards-based telecommunications network providing reliable, economical
voice, data and video communications. The DIS data center is one of the largest
in the Northwest, combining both client server and mainframe computing in a
secure, controlled environment. We also operate the state’s award-winning
Internet portal, Access
Washington, a single point of entry to government information and
services for citizens and business.
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What is the Western States Contracting Alliance (WSCA)?
WSCA is a cooperative, multi-state purchasing organization with fifteen member
states, including Washington. By combining the purchasing power of its member
states, WSCA is able to acquire quality information technology products and
services at more favorable prices than its member states could achieve
individually. When adopted by DIS, IT contracts awarded by WSCA have been
designated as regular optional-use Master Contracts by the Information Services Board, the State’s IT governing board.
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What is WEBS?
Washington's Electronic Business Solution (WEBS)
is an Internet vendor registration and bid notification system. The system
offers an online site where vendors can register to receive government bid
notifications. Governmental buyers can go to the same site to post bidding
opportunities and amendments.
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What does "optional-use" mean?
Information Technology Master Contracts are available for your use, but you are
not required to use them for your IT purchases. The optional-use designation
means you may purchase from other sources, provided you have complied with your
applicable acquisition requirements.
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What is a qualifying non-profit?
"Public benefit non-profit corporations" is defined in RCW 24.03.005
(17) "Public benefit not for profit corporation" or "public benefit nonprofit
corporation" means a corporation no part of the income of which is
distributable to its members, directors, or officers and that holds a current
tax exempt status as provided under 26 U.S.C. Sec. 501(c)(3) or is specifically
exempted from the requirement to apply for its tax exempt status under 26
U.S.C. Sec. 501(c)(3).
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Do Master Contracts satisfy requirements for competitive acquisition?
Master Contracts are awarded via competitive acquisitions (Request for
Proposals, Request for Quotations, etc.). Use of Master Contracts by state
agencies meets the requirement for competition as stated in the Information
Services Board's
IT Investment Policy and IT Investment Standards. State agencies may
obtain additional information related to acquisition planning and policy from
DIS Management and Oversight of Strategic Technologies or by contacting your
Technology Management Consultant. Local government organizations may be
subject to different acquisition policies and procedures.
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