Basic Setup - Amazon EC2 Windows Server

We are a small consulting firm that does data mining and statistical analysis. We currently do our work on a dedicated in-house server. As we plan to a new server and load the newest releases of the software tools we use (primarily software from [login to view URL] and Spotfire) we'd like to try using the Amazon cloud rather than buying another dedicated server. The project you are bidding on is to help us set up an Amazon server and help us understand how to access it (as securely as possible-we are interested in learning about the options and what recommendations the bidder would make). The objective would be to get us to the point where we can install applications and data (though we'd consider getting help with that as well in a follow-on project). We are knowledgeable about software and even do a fair amount of development work, but know little about server administration or Amazon EC2. Please provide an estimate of the time and cost for these services as well as information about your qualifications to work with EC2 and Windows server. We may have additional server management needs in the future, and would be pleased if the bidder proved to be someone we could call upon again.