Computer buying events look to leverage government scale

Feds can look forward to low, low prices on personal computers. The Office of Management and Budget alerted federal CIO and chief acquisition officers in early June to watch for special deals on computers designated under a collaborative Government-wide Strategic Solution for Desktops and Laptops.

GSS stems from an October 2015 OMB laptop/desktop decision to limit purchases of new computers by agencies to a standard line up of laptop desktop models.

In a June 9 blog post, Mary Davie, assistant commissioner for the Office of Integrated Technology Services at the General Services Administration said OMB alerted acquisitions and tech leaders to GSA, NASA and National Institute of Health buying events for laptops and desktops to come between June and September 2016.

The dates come just before the October 2016 deadline agencies have to transition to the designated computer models that were laid out under the original OMB initiative.

The three leading acquisition vehicles set five baseline configurations to be used by federal agencies -- two for laptops and three for desktops. A sixth configuration has been added since.

GSA IT Schedule 70 will conduct its first buying event during the fourth quarter of FY2016. GSA has asked federal agencies to provide estimated quantities by June 17, 2016, to get maximum volume discounts from suppliers, streamlining agency buying and driving down costs.

GSA's acquisition of the computers, said Davie, will be conducted through the agency's reverse auction platform based on estimated agency requirements.