National Association of Conservation Districts

2010 Computers and Peripherals for Districts

USDA recently signed new contracts for computers, monitors, printers, plotters, scanners, and ruggedized portable hard drives for acquisition and use by the Field Service Center Agencies (FSA, NRCS and RD) and other USDA agencies.  The six vendors have expressed their desire to provide the same products to conservation districts at the same pricing and with the same warranties.

Conservation districts are eligible to buy from these vendors without regard to connection to the USDA Network, (i.e. you do not have to be connected to the USDA network in order to purchase from the vendors.

Products

The following provides a quick overview of the products available:

Computers

• Desktop – Tower model that offers multiple hard drives and processors
• Geospatial Workstation – single and dual processors with up to 5 TB of storage
• Laptop – can order with different processors and 160, 250 or 320 GB hard drives
• Mobile Workstation – a large laptop with desktop capabilities
• Mobile Netbook – a small laptop for travelers who need email and minimal Office Automation capabilities
• Semi-Rugged Notebook – a laptop that can take rough travel and difficult climate and weather conditions
• Ruggedized Notebook – a laptop for severe travel, work, and climate conditions
• Ruggedized Tablet – a Slate Tablet for severe travel, work, and climate conditions
• Convertible Tablet – a laptop whose screen can be moved to use as a tablet

Monitors

• 19, 22, and 24 inch Flat Screens

Printers

• All-In-One Inkjet – Inkjet that can fax, copy, scan, and print in black/white or color.  8.5” x 11” print capabilities
• All-In-One Laserjet – Color Laser that can print, scan, fax, and copy. 8.5” x 14” print  capabilities.
• Portable Printer – Thermal inkjet technology capable of up to 8.5” x 14” output
• 3 Black/White Lasers – 3 models with 8.5” x 11, 8.5” x 14” and 11” x 17” print  capabilities depending on model
• 3 Color Lasers – 3 models offering color laser capabilities with 8.5” x 11” up to 8.5” x 18” print capabilities depending on model

Plotters

• 3 Plotter models with printing capabilities from 18 inches to 60 inches

Scanner

• 4 Scanner models – 3 desktop models include sheet feeder, and a portable scanner.

Ruggedized Portable Hard Drives

• 500 GB Hard Drives that meet military specifications for travel and data storage in adverse work and climatic conditions.

Ordering Information and Procedures

The new USDA contracts are robust and will be updated quite frequently.  Because of these changes and updates, conservation districts who are interested in ordering should contact Steve Webber or Jon Hayward, NRCS, who will provide you the latest pricing and ordering information.  They can be reached at:

When contacting Steve or Jon, please let them know whether or not you are going to be connected to the USDA Network.