The statewide initiative, which allows state agencies to consolidate their purchasing power and create common computing environments, conducted an open competition resulting in a two-year agreement with three optional one-year extensions. The value of the contracts depends on purchasing decisions by individual departments, but is likely to be substantial.
"Over the coming three to four years, California plans to spend more than a quarter billion dollars on technology, and this strategic sourcing arrangement allows the state to purchase as a single entity with significant bargaining power making taxpayers' money go further," said Wayne Inouye, president and CEO of Gateway. "As a California taxpayer, I applaud the state for striking this kind of agreement, and on behalf of our more than 1,800 employees worldwide, we're honored that the state of California recognizes our leadership position in providing a comprehensive suite of IT products and services."
Under the terms of the agreement, all of the state's Executive Branch, including the Department of Transportation (CalTrans), Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA), Office of Emergency Services (OES) and Health and Human Services Data Center (HHSDC), must select technology and services from approved contract vendors. California's non-executive agencies, constitutional officers, state universities, local governments and school districts have the option to take advantage of the terms of the contract and purchase from Gateway.
As part of the CSSI process, the state evaluated proposals based on common configurations created by the State Chief Information Officers' Council -- with the overarching goals to consolidate and better manage IT spending. Gateway scored high marks in the quality and thoroughness of responses within all the categories, including product offerings, customer references, solution provider partnerships and pricing.
With the contract now finalized, state agencies can now purchase from a select number of state-specific product configurations across Gateway's commercial desktop, notebook and display product lines. Specific information on the configurations approved under the contract are available online.
Gateway has joined with solution provider partners -- including a number of small business vendors and disabled veteran-run companies -- to provide specific installation services. In addition, Gateway will soon open a sales office in Sacramento to better serve local government customers.
