Coordination of equipment and supplies purchase
A feasibility study of pooled network member equipment purchases
Borelli, R.F., "Coordination of equipment and supplies purchase", RFC 249, DOI 10.17487/RFC0249, October 1971, <https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc249>.
@misc{rfc249,
series = {Request for Comments},
number = 249,
howpublished = {RFC 249},
publisher = {RFC Editor},
doi = {10.17487/RFC0249},
url = {https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc249},
author = {R.F. Borelli},
title = {{Coordination of equipment and supplies purchase}},
pagetotal = 2,
year = 1971,
month = oct,
} RFC text
NIC 7690
Network Working Group R. F. Borelli
Request for Comments #249 University of Illinois
Center for Advanced
Computation
October 8, 1971
Coordination of Equipment and Supplies Purchase
-----------------------------------------------
The purpose of this message is to pass on to all members of the
Network an agreement reached between Messrs. Steve Crocker of ARPA and
R. F. Borelli of the University of Illinois. The Center for Advanced
Computation has agreed to study the feasibility of a coordinating point
for purchases of equipment and supplies to be used on the network.
To this end, the Center will compile a list of common equipment and
supplies needed by Network members and ascertain the value of contacting
the appropriate manufacturers and distributers in order to negotiate the
best possible group price. Thereafter, the results of the negotiations
will be passed on to Network members with a resulting listing of items,
costs and supplies.
The two biggest pitfalls with this concept are:
1. Insufficient demand for commonly required items.
2. Not satisfying each organization's administrative
requirements for competitive bidding on items
which are not sole-source justified.
At this time, it appears to be premature to allow this to stop the
idea. After the listing of items and range of sources are collected and
analyzed, these two points can be addressed. In fact, this project may
have to be abandoned; however, there are sufficient reasons to believe
that these problems can be overcome to make the venture workable.
We request that all members of the Network forward to the Center,
ATTN. R. F. Borelli, a descriptive listing of equipment and supplies
they require in this fiscal year. Particular attention must be paid to
listing all the acceptable alternates to increase the changes of
commonality. For example: TI-725 terminals could be considered a
substitute for Teleterms 1030's, etc. The only items excluded at this
time are 2400 ft. Magnetic Computer Tapes, tabulating cards, and
conventional computer printer paper. Any added suggestions or ideas are
both encouraged and welcomed.
A sample format of information is attached.
Sample Format of Information Requirement is as Follows:
------------------------------------------------------
Current
Estimated
Quantity Description and Special Needs Mfgr. Cost
-------- ----------------------------- ----- -----------
3 Remote Terminals Texas Instr. $4,200.00 @
Model TI-725 with upper and or
lower case Teleterms
100 rolls/mo Electro Static Printer Paper Gould $10.00/roll
Requested by:
University of Illinois
Center for Advanced Computation
Urbana, Illinois 61801
Telephone: (217) 333-6375
A listing of items not intended as all-inclusive are:
1. Gould Electrostatic Printers and printer paper.
2. Computek graphics terminals.
3. ARDS graphics terminals.
4. CRT alphanumeric terminals (Hazeltine, Datapoint, DEC, etc.).
5. Hard-copy portable terminals (TI-725, Teleterm 1030, NCR etc.).
6. Teletype (ASR and KSR-33, 35 and 37)
7. Plasma panels.
8. Plotters (CalComp, Bendix, Calma, etc.).
9. Digitizers and scanners.
10. Computers (PDP-11, PDP-10).
11. Computer peripherals (TU-56, TC-11, etc.).
12. IMLAC's.
[ This RFC was put into machine readable form for entry ]
[ into the online RFC archives by BBN Corp. under the ]
[ direction of Alex McKenzie. 12/96 ]
AI ELI5
On this page
§1Introduction
RFC 249 announces a study agreed between ARPA and the University of Illinois Center for Advanced Computation on whether network members could pool their equipment and supplies purchases to negotiate better group prices.
The Center would compile a list of common items needed across the network, contact manufacturers and distributors, negotiate bulk prices, and report the findings and potential savings back to network members.
Schools on the network want to buy computers and printers cheaper. One school will call the manufacturers and see if bulk orders get a discount.
§2The Two Key Obstacles
The RFC identifies two major challenges: insufficient shared demand (not all members need the same equipment), and competitive bidding rules (procurement rules at some organizations may require bidding between multiple suppliers even if a group would prefer a sole-source purchase).
However, the RFC notes these obstacles may be resolvable once the detailed list of items and suppliers has been analyzed.
Some schools might not need the same things, and some schools have rules saying they must ask multiple companies for prices. These make group buying harder.
§3What Equipment to Consider
The RFC requests network members submit lists of equipment and supplies they need, with acceptable alternatives to increase commonality (for example, the TI-725 terminal as a substitute for the Teleterm 1030). Items explicitly excluded: magnetic tape, computer cards, and printer paper. Suggested items include terminals, plotters, computer peripherals, and systems like the PDP-10 and PDP-11.
Each school should say what it needs and what other brands would work too. Tape and punch cards are not included in the pool.
§4How to Participate
Members should send R. F. Borelli at the University of Illinois a descriptive list of required equipment with estimated costs, manufacturer names, and quantities. A sample format is provided showing quantity, description, manufacturer and current cost. The Center can be reached at (217) 333-6375 in Urbana, Illinois.
Schools should write down what they need to buy and send the list to one person, who will call the manufacturers.