Water Resources Discipline ITAC Activities

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My Comments -

Language about prepaid recycling program for end of life disposal?

Recommend new Systems Management section for all hardware:

Systems Management

1. The systems serial number shall be retrievable by Microsoft's Systems Management Server (SMS).
2. The system shall support a Corporate asset tag in the BIOS. This number shall not be related to the system serial number. This value shall be configurable via a Windows command line utility/script.
3. For monitors that are purchased with the system, the system shall support the retrieval of the monitor's serial number by SMS.
4. The systems BIOS shall be capable of being upgraded from a Windows command line utility/script. The application of the BIOS update shall not force the end user to reboot upon completion of the update.
5. The system shall supports the ability to configure BIOS settings from Windows command line utility/script (Example: boot to RIS server, update BIOS, change boot order, drop image.)
6. The system shall support the ability to push a BIOS Admin password from a Windows command line utility/script
7. The system shall support the ability to disable the ability to boot from removable device in the BIOS from a Windows command line utility/script
8. The system shall support the changing of the boot order from a Windows command line utility/script
9. The system shall support the ability to enable/disable PXE and change the PXE items from a Windows command line utility/script
10. The system shall support the ability to boot from a USB based storage device (i.e. USB Flash drive or USB based hard drive)
11. The system shall support the ability to power up the PC at a certain time each day via the system BIOS. The system shall support the ability to change this setting from Windows command line utility/script

For all the laptops:

1. Hyperthreading requirement negates AMD processors...

2. From ruggedized Item 36 - recommend appending more Microsoft terminology: System shall support Pre-Boot eXecution Environment (PXE) DHCP-based boot ROM version 1.00 or greater with RIS compatible network adaptor.
Reference:
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/WindowsServ/2003/standard/proddocs/en-us/Default.asp?url=/resources/documentation/WindowsServ/2003/standard/proddocs/en-us/sag_RIS_SystemRequirements.asp

3. Monitors - Digital vs. Analog resolution. Require DVI adaptor to be included with the notebook?

4. Storage options - on the higher end laptops, require 7200 RPM hard drive speed or higher - they are shipping in volume now and there is a world of difference in performance.

5. For the serial port notebook, as part of item 6 need to specify that the serial port must be available on the notebook itself - i.e. it can't require the use of a dongle, docking station or other such adaptor.

6. For the tablet notebooks, require full Windows XP Tablet Edition media specifically. "Restore" CD's are not sufficient.

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Eric Eskam
National Center Active Directory Project Lead
United States Geological Survey
703-648-6817, FAX 703-648-6821
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" This is like deja vu all over again." - Yogi Berra

All,

The Department of the Interior (DOI) previously negotiated enterprise contracts with equipment providers to take advantage of volume discounts. Three contracts were awarded:
Desktops - Contract was awarded to Dell.
Laptops - The contract for Ultra light Laptops was awarded to NCS Technologies, and the contract for the Traveler and Telecommuter Laptops was awarded to IBM.
Servers - Contract was awarded to Dell.
It is expected that all three contracts will be re-competed by September 2005. At this time, the DOI cannot determine if some categories may change in vendor configuration. Below are the specifications the vendors will need to meet for laptops. Pay particular attention to the new category of laptops-to include scientific type mobile machines. Please distribute as appropriate for comment to trusted individuals in your areas. This is out time to make the contracts work for us. If you see a problem with any of these specs let me know. If you feel they do not serve USGS, let me know. Please have all comments back to me by April 4, 2005.Thanks, Paul

Paul E. Exter
Lead IT Specialist
Office of Information Technology
U.S. Geological Survey
(410) 238 - 4234 Work
(410) 375 - 0120 Cell