EQUIPMENT ACQUISITION, MAINTENANCE AND DISPOSITION - 5001

Information technology equipment that is state-owned will be used as long as its use meets the operational requirements of the user and as long as relative costs versus benefits are favorable. Such equipment will be used, where appropriate and where benefits exceed costs, to replace installed equipment that is on rent or short-term lease anywhere in state government.

The relative merits of all methods of acquisition and maintenance of IT equipment shall be continuously evaluated to assure maximum economic advantages to the state. When selecting equipment, agencies will consider the requirements of interfacing to present systems. Conversion costs must be considered as well as the costs associated with exchanging information among machines. Standard commercially available general purpose IT equipment will be acquired in preference to specially designed and/or special purpose equipment, unless unusual circumstances warrant otherwise.

Duplicate or excess IT equipment will not be acquired as insurance against machine failure or as standby equipment, except in the case of legally required or otherwise necessary full-time or absolute service functions.

The disposition of IT equipment which is excessive to an agency’s requirements will be in accordance with the most economical and practical manner for the state as a whole.