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.
[Page 1]
Sample Format of Information Requirement is as Follows:
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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.
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