MiCTA Selects Qwest, Sprint As Endorsed National Vendors

Saginaw-based MiCTA, a nationwide group purchasing organization, has named Qwest Communications an endorsed national vendor for telecommunications and IP networking services. Qwest is also designated as an approved national vendor for Voice over IP services and specialty services such as managed hosting, conferencing and call center solutions, as well as direct equipment purchases.

MiCTA also has named Sprint an endorsed national vendor for telecommunications, VoIP, IP, cellular and select specialty services, as well as for designated direct equipment sales to its membership.

Said Tim von Hoff, COO of MiCTA: "Qwest Communications has always delivered an exceptional range of products and services that address our membership's telecommunications and technology needs."

Qwest and Sprint were selected as both an endorsed and approved vendor for select services as part of MiCTA's highly competitive bidding process, which is designed to evaluate technology-oriented and telecommunications solutions on behalf of its nationwide membership. Once the process has been completed, MiCTA members may purchase telecommunications and technology-oriented products and services at volume discounts using the MiCTA contract. Besides offering significant cost savings, this approach also eliminates the need for members to conduct their own competitive bidding processes.

Said von Hoff: "Nationally, Sprint has provided our membership with an excellent range of telecommunications and networking services designed especially for organizations in the governmental, business and public sectors. Our membership appreciates the unique combination of value and service that Sprint offers, and we're delighted that Sprint will continue to serve our membership for at least the next two years."

Qwest will provide products and services to MiCTA members for at least the next two years.

"MiCTA and its membership have developed a strong working relationship with Qwest," said von Hoff. "We look forward to working with Qwest to deliver the telephony, networking and enhanced communication services our membership needs and values."

MiCTA represents thousands of higher education, K-12, health care, library, governmental and charitable entities. Nationally, MiCTA seeks to resolve common voice, video and data issues, provide helpful information, participate in legislative and regulatory telecommunications advocacy, and negotiate discounted purchase contracts for telecommunications and technology services for its members. More at www.mictatech.org.

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