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The Obama Administration has ordered US federal agencies to hold off on purchasing new PCs in hopes of patching up a broken ordering system.
The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has put a hold on new desktops and notebooks while it sorts through what it says are "thousands" of new system orders every year.
OMB said that because agencies lack a standardized way to order, maintain, and replace their IT infrastructure, officials are forced to seek out their own contracts and purchase orders to get new PCs, leading to huge accumulated costs in waste.
"There is no need for thousands of contracts to purchase common laptops and desktops," the OMB said in its order late last week.
What answer do you predict the US government will reach, "Surfaces for everyone!"?
(Score: 4, Insightful) by ledow on Wednesday October 21 2015, @01:56PM
Anyone who has ever seen the procurement process for any large governmental organisation (e.g. the UK NHS) knows what this means.
You'll pay £10 for an AA battery so that you can get everything "from an approved supplier".
And every "approved supplier" will play golf with the guy in charge of the system.
(Score: 5, Insightful) by snick on Wednesday October 21 2015, @02:11PM
FTFY
People who think waste, inefficiency and graft are particular to governmental organizations are so cute. I have never worked for any government, but what you describe matches my experience with all large companies I have ever worked for.
(Score: 2) by M. Baranczak on Wednesday October 21 2015, @03:02PM
(Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday October 21 2015, @04:39PM
Jesus always got the best weed.
(Score: 3, Informative) by AnonymousCowardNoMore on Wednesday October 21 2015, @06:23PM
^H to delete a letter. ^W to delete a whole word. Thought you might find it useful.
(Score: 1) by khallow on Wednesday October 21 2015, @08:17PM
People who think waste, inefficiency and graft are particular to governmental organizations are so cute.
Who would those people be? It just doesn't take many brain cells to notice that government organizations often take waste, inefficiency, and graft a few levels beyond what a private organization can afford.
(Score: 1) by simonInOz on Thursday October 22 2015, @03:49AM
I recall a discussion between Michael Dell and the head of the USA Army (or near offer), and they complained that Dell would only sell them Dell computers at a higher than retail price- perhaps it was $2500.
Ok, said Michael. I offer to sell you a Dell laptop for $2000.
I accept, said the military person.
Ok, said Michael - gimme the money!
I can't do that, said the military person, I have to get a requisition, and sign ....
I rest my case, said Michael Dell.
-- cats like plain crisps --