1/26/06 Notre Dame announces IBM/Lenovo for desktop and laptop computers

We are pleased to announce that, effective January 26, 2006, the University of Notre Dame will welcome IBM/Lenovo as its sole supplier for Intel-based Windows desktop and laptop computers. This new three-year agreement replaces the previous relationship with Gateway, Inc.

Further, the contract will provide users with significant savings by aggregating our purchasing power with a single supplier. Campus users will benefit from standard models discounted up to 50% off regular Web price, all of which will be featured in buyND via an IBM/Lenovo catalog (Note: the catalog is available for ordering).

This contract was awarded to IBM/Lenovo as a result of a rigorous and competitive bid process, which involved many members of the campus academic and administrative community. We are pleased with the excellent quality and service brought by IBM/Lenovo, as well as the flexibility (e.g., several configurations) the program offers to the campus community. Moreover, the program will meet the computing needs of the vast majority of campus users, including those with more advanced requirements (e.g., the advanced desktop model provided by IBM/Lenovo can include a LINUX platform). As with any campus-wide program, we expect that some technical needs may require an exception to the program’s standard models. Examples of such exceptions may include equipment necessary to maintain compatibility with existing grant funded systems or specific data acquisition boards that are only certified as purchases from specific vendors. Any exception requests should be communicated to Procurement Services and will be reviewed by the Office of Information Technologies for a final determination.

Please note, this policy applies to the purchase of all desktops and laptops, irrespective of the source of University funds. Further, all purchases should be made through buyND. Check requisitions, ProCards or expense reimbursements should not be used. For more information, visit the IBM/Lenovo information Web pages or contact the buyND Help Desk at 631-4BUY (4289).

Finally, we would like to thank all members of the technical and business evaluation committees for their work on this significant purchasing initiative.

In Notre Dame,

Thomas G. Burish Provost

John Affleck-Graves Executive Vice President