Send email to IT_Member_Request@gsec.coop and include the following information:
Microsoft Office 365 is a cloud-based service that is designed to help meet an organization’s needs for robust security, reliability, user productivity and collaboration. This service supports implementation and support of Office 365 for Members.
This service may be used by Member Cooperatives for assistance in implementing and supporting Office 365. Primary users would be the Member employees currently responsible for providing email and end user computing to their cooperative.
Setup & Migration: This service helps Member coops to setup and configure an Office 365 tenant as well as migrate email from an existing email provider.
Application Management: Administration of the Office 365 tenant leveraging Microsoft best practices. This includes ongoing configuration (spam filters, archiving, etc) and troubleshooting.
Systems Included: Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Access, OneDrive For Business, Skype for Business, Email and Calendar services via Outlook and Exchange Online.
Technical Infrastructure: Office 365 utilizes Microsoft’s robust cloud based infrastructure limiting the needs for ongoing maintenance for comparable on premise servers and infrastructure.
Service Center: This is to provide ongoing support to users of this service. Golden Spread will provide remote support during normal business hours (7:30 – 5:30 CST m-f) with total support hours being determined according to email mailbox count after initial implementation. Requesting help may be achieved via two mechanisms, emailing help@gsec.coop or by calling (806) 337-1293 (GSEC Service Desk)
Training and Documentation: Training and documentation will be provided to users on installing Office 365 tools, accessing mail, using Office 365 tools, and the process for adding users and licenses to the tenant.
Office 365 is a subscription based service where subscribers pay a monthly fee and cost is determined based upon the license purchased. Different license types can be used within the same tenant to provide flexibility and cost efficiency. Below are a few of the Microsoft subscriptions that we will focus on. Subscription pricing available on Microsoft website.
In addition to the subscription costs with Microsoft, the following additional costs will be incurred via the requestor:
Total First Year Cost = $4500
During implementation, GSEC staff will work remotely and on location as needed until implementation and training are completed. After completion of the implementation, GSEC will complete all additional requests remotely via Skype for Business and within the Office 365 tenant unless an in person visit is required. Requests will be responded to according to the chart below:
| Key Metrics | Target |
| Service Request response | < 2 Business Days |
| Incident response | Within 4 Hours |
| Service Hours | 7:30 - 5:30 CST M-F |
| Support Hours Consumed | <= Allocated Supported Hours |
Service Requests: Examples of service requests are General use questions, new calendar, group, or feature requests.
Incidents: Examples of incidents are user not being able to access mail or another Office 365 tool. The symptom is preventing work from occurring.
Leveraging the buying power of our member cooperatives, we have negotiated a $10 per month, per line discount on AT&T unlimited plans.
This service may be used by all Golden Spread employees as well as all member Cooperatives with a valid Pay Stub, Current ID badge, or Letter of Employment.
N/A
Bill Discount: This service provides members with a $10 per line per month discount on an AT&T unlimited plan. This discount only applies to your line access fees and not towards monthly lease payments on devices.
To obtain this discount, the employee will need to provide a valid Pay Stub, Current ID badge, or Letter of Employment to AT&T. This can be accomplished in person at an AT&T store or Online. The URL to access the online portal is AT&T Employee Discount Program (Corporate). Upon finding your cooperative and filling out the form, the employee or Member will be emailed a link to supply proof of employment.
After successfully enrolling for the eligible discount the member or Golden Spread employee will continue to pay their wireless bill as they were but now with a $10 dollar per line per month discount.
Following the provided instructions, the Member or Golden Spread employee should receive notification from the carrier that they have been successfully enrolled. After successful enrollment, it may take up to two billing cycles to take effect.
Access to Microsoft Premier Support.
By connecting you with the right subject matter engineers who can solve your issues right away, and a technical account manager whose job it is to understand your business challenges, you receive unparalleled expertise, accelerated support, and strategic advice tailored to your unique IT environment.
IT Staff of GSEC Members
IT Operations
Access to the Microsoft Premier Support Portal for logging and tracking tickets.
Access to a dedicated Technical Account Manager (TAM) who will help track issues.
There is no cost to Members at this time. Block of hours are shared between GSEC and Member IT groups on a first come, first served basis.
If the block of hours gets fully consumed, discussions will occur between users of the service to purchase an additional block of hours and allocated based upon each Member’s contribution to the block.
Service performance is based upon Microsoft’s standard offering for Premier Support. Guarantees on timeliness of response times are not made. Details can be found at https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/premier
The backup storage service provides members the opportunity to store an offsite backup of data in the GSEC data center located in Amarillo Texas.
All Member Cooperatives.
Offsite Data Backup
GSEC will provide space in the secure data center and can provide a communication line for a fee determined by the bandwidth requirements from the member. Alternatively, members can provide their own communication lines to the building at their own cost. Obtaining access to the data center can only be achieved via GSEC IT personnel.
Members are required to maintain their equipment and ensure that their backups are functioning properly. GSEC IT will not be providing assistance in the configuration or maintenance of member backup solutions.
The space provided in the data center will be provided free of charge. If the member requests that GSEC provide a communication line for their system, the cost of the communication line will be determined by the members desired bandwidth requirements.
Members will have access to their equipment during normal operating hours (7:30 – 5:30 m-th and 7:30 – 5 on Friday). Access outside of these hours will only be granted for true emergencies and obtained via a provided on call list.
If member doesn’t provide their own communication line, GSEC will provide a specified timeframe when backups can occur.
Ability to request a proposal from GSEC to fulfill a specific IT project or service.
GSEC will perform requested IT project or service work.
GSEC Members
IT Services & Operations
GSEC will submit a proposal detailing work requirements, schedule, and costs to provide the requested IT project or service.
Upon acceptance of proposal, GSEC will provide a Request for Service detailing work to be performed, schedule, and costs.
GSEC staff or designated sub-contractors will perform the project/service work at the specified location(s) with mutually agreed upon quality and standards for work performed.
Proposal will be submitted that includes all costs for performing requested project or service.
| Type of Work | Hourly Rate |
| Non-Cyber Security Related Work | $87.79/hour |
| Cyber Security Related Work | $101.57/hour |
Performance standards for the work performed will be specified in the Member Master Services Agreement and applicable Request for Service.
GSEC may choose to not respond to proposal request if resource capacity would not allow them to perform the work.