Social Security Administration to buy thousands of new computers

The Social Security Administration will purchase 32,000 new desktop computers over the next five months, a buying spree that bucks current market trends in computer sales. The agency's 945 Disability Determination Service centers will receive new desktop computers within the next five months. The 32,000 new machines will amount to one third of the agency's desktop computers. Social Security's purchase stands out among companies in both the public and private sectors, since many agencies and businesses bought new personal computers prior to the Y2K crisis and haven't needed to upgrade since then. Compaq Computer Corp. will pump out 2,000 computers a week over the next five months to meet SSA's needs. It will preload and configure each desktop with proprietary SSA software and a number of commercial off-the-shelf products. Each computer will come with a headset and a microphone. "The logistics of this are quite extraordinary," said Barbara Crystal, Compaq's senior public relations manager for the government and education markets. Compaq will install and set up the computers at each SSA location. Compaq's contract to provide the computers is worth $30 million. The agency has awarded a follow-on contract that could enable it to buy an additional 10,000 computers.