The software giant has agreed on a co-ordinated procurement arrangement as part of the Federal Government's Co-ordinated Procurement Contracting initiatives.
Under the terms of the four-year Volume Sourcing Arrangement (VSA), most Federal Government agencies will have access to Microsoft Desktop Professional software, which includes Microsoft Office and Windows Vista.
The agreement also enables most Federal Government agencies to purchase additional products from Microsoft under a pre-agreed pricing arrangement.
Pip Marlow, director of public sector at Microsoft Australia, told CRN, IT service providers will be able to sub license software, through the VSA, for the purpose of delivering services to Federal Government agencies covered by the agreement.
"For example, Data#3 was recently appointed to supply LAR services to the Department of Defence," she said.
Marlow claimed the VSA provides a simplified and provided a more cost effective procurement in IT servicing to the Federal Government.
She said that while Microsoft does engage with the Federal Government, the VSA does not cover services and support.
"Providing services and support is very much the role and value that the channel provides," she said.
"Whilst the VSA is a licensing arrangement, it will drive services opportunities for our partners in the Federal Government, from deployment, integration, support and other services. "
Marlowe claimed the VSA uses Microsoft's existing indirect model for licensing and relies primarily on the channel for delivery of services.
"Broadly speaking, the VSA underpins the procurement and supply of Microsoft's software products to the Federal Government," she said.
The Department of Defence is expected to be the first Federal Government agency to take advantage of the new agreement to license Microsoft technologies, said Marlow.
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