Nebraska Extension is pleased to provide an important opportunity to order computer equipment in 2017. All employees working in a county office or district center are eligible to participate in this plan. Before completing your order form, if you are located in a county office please coordinate with your unit leader.
As you know, we have developed a commodity technology plan these past few months with the following goals in mind.
• Strengthen our educational platform with access to up-to-date technology
• Increase flexibility to adapt to changes in the information technology marketplace
• Provide budget flexibility
• Lower purchasing costs
• Lower support costs associated with configuring and maintaining equipment
After careful review, we have decided to continue to purchase equipment because it remains the most cost effective method. Also, we believe the following considerations should be institutionalized to further address program goals.
• Professional staff (Educators, Assistants) should acquire new computers every three years
• Individuals eligible to receive cost share may request it once every three years
• All computers will be managed on a five-year life cycle
• Equipment may be paid for when it’s initially purchased or annually over its five-year life cycle
• Computers will be shipped to offices with supported software pre-installed
• Computers should be remotely configured and serviced
2017 Commodity Technology Order Form Due March 1 - https://ssp.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_5BZr3sUEWwnFU45
An order form may be submitted by anyone in Extension interested in ordering equipment regardless of whether they qualify for cost share support or not. The first question you will see relates to cost share eligibility, choose the appropriate option. Employees eligible to receive cost share include county and district-based educators, assistants and support staff. Any questions regarding cost share eligibility or application should be directed to your Research & Extension Director or Associate.
• For those eligible to receive cost share (county and district-based educators, assistants and support staff):
o Full cost share is equal to 30% of the cost of each bundle before optional equipment and a 5% UNL administrative fee are included.
- Eligible educators and assistants will receive full cost share with the following exceptions:
* An Educator with a program account balance of $5,000 - $9,999 will be eligible to receive half-cost share (15%).
* An Educator with a program account balance greater than $10,000 will not be eligible to receive any cost share.
* Note: Please work with your Research & Extension Director or Associate to determine your cost share eligibility.
• For those not eligible for cost share, you are welcome to use this purchasing platform to acquire high end computers at a bulk purchase price.
• Bundles: The order form offers six bundles to choose from:
o A1:Dell Laptop w/1 monitor or A2:Dell Laptop w/2 monitors
o B1:Dell Desktop w/1 monitor or B2:Dell Desktop w/2 monitors
o C1:Apple Laptop w/ no monitor or C2:Apple Laptop w/1 monitor
o Each bundle features a market-current high-end computer and peripheral equipment to enable a complete working system.
o Detailed Costs
- The purchase price of each bundle is listed with full, half and no cost share applied. These costs do not include optional equipment or a required 5% UNL administrative fee.
- In addition, cost totals are listed after the inclusion of the options you may choose to order plus UNL administrative fee.
o Exceptions
- On rare occasions, an individual may feel job duties dictate a need for specialized equipment not included in one of the listed bundles. If so, you may indicate the equipment needed along with a detailed explanation for it’s purpose. The Extension Leadership Team will review the request and decide whether cost share may be applied.
• Payment: Please describe how you intend to pay for your order using county tax funds, UNL funds, etc. Indicate whether you wish to pay for equipment in Year 1 or annually over the life cycle (5 years) of the equipment and whether you wish to pay before or after July 1, 2017.
Timelines
• Ordering (February): The deadline to submit an order will be close of business March 1, 2017. Orders will be reviewed for completeness and to ensure accurate application of cost share. If there are questions, district technology staff will contact you to work out final details. We hope to begin placing orders with Dell and Apple (UNL) by March 1, 2017.
• Distribution: We expect equipment to be shipped to offices in March through May. District technology staff will coordinate with you to schedule delivery and final configuration details.
• Invoices: IANR Finance & Personnel will invoice offices in April. Invoices will reflect the preferences described on an individual order form, e.g., how to pay for equipment, whether to pay for equipment at one-time or over it’s life cycle (five years), and payment before or after July 1, 2017.
Opt-In for University Client Management Tools
• Remote servicing of computers is an important way to support the technology needs of Nebraska Extension. While remote servicing isn’t new, there are client management applications that could be used in the future to configure and manage local services. For instance, UNL-ITS uses tools such as Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) and Apple-Casper (Management system for Apple OS X computers and iOS devices) to manage computers, security, networking, etc. To use such technologies, the UNL Faculty Senate requires faculty to “opt-in.” To do so, Extension faculty should visit the UNL Opt-In website at http://its.unl.edu/desktop/forms/opt-university-client-management-tools. The site includes detailed information regarding opt-in policies, as well as the opportunity to login with your UNL ID to complete and submit the opt-in form. If faculty choose not to opt-in, the ability to conduct remote servicing will be limited and lead to increased support costs.
UNL Computer Technology Usage Agreement
• When purchasing equipment through the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the equipment officially belongs to the University; therefore, a UNL Usage Agreement will need to be completed by offices using county tax funds for their computer purchase. A copy of the form with directions on routing will be sent to you at a later date.
If you have questions regarding the order form and process to order, please contact your local district technology staff person. They will be pleased to work with you to answer questions and ensure you order the best equipment to serve your needs.
Please let us know if you have questions.
-- Angie Rushman