1. Advisory group members completed their re-evaluations of
the eight remaining supplier RFP's and these were summarized and
distributed to the group. The reference information available was
reported to the group. After reviewing the rankings and some
considerable discussion the group was able to reach consensus on a "short
list" of suppliers which included Compaq, Dell, HP, IBM and
JMG/Seanix.
2. Gary will advise the unsuccessful suppliers by email and
will be contacting the short listed suppliers to request systems for
the technical evaluation. We will ask for 4 desktops from each
supplier with a couple of configuration differences. We will also ask
for two notebooks (one entry level and one mid/high end unit as
specified in the RFP). The notebooks will be delivered to the
Bookstore for security alarms and cases and they will manage the
scheduling/distribution for these evaluations.
The desktop units will be delivered to CIS Technical Services.
One unit will be located in CIS Technical Services and we are seeking
locations at various areas on campus for the remaining units. Group
members will check with their Faculty/Area regarding who should be the
technical evaluation representative for their area. The Chair will
contact other key areas not represented on the advisory group. We
expect to receive the units in approximately two weeks and to have
them for 30 days. 3. The advisory group discussed the
proposal to contract with an external consultant to review the RFP's
from the short listed suppliers. It was agreed to proceed as the Chair
was able to obtain the necessary funding. The consultant will spend
approximately two days per RFP and then make a presentation to the
advisory group outlining the various merits and deficiencies of each
submission in comparison with what can be expected based on the
marketplace. This activity will be done in parallel with the technical
evaluation process.
4. The Technical subgroup will meet within the next week
and submit their final criteria in advance of the evaluation systems
being delivered.
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