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NOAA'S COMPUTERS FOR LEARNING PROGRAM
Background
The Computers For Learning Program was established as a result of the
Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act and Executive Order 12999,
"Education Technology Ensuring Opportunity For All Children In the Next
Century." The overall responsibility for this Government-wide program
rests with the General Services Administration, and the NOAA Personal
Property and Transportation Branch (PP&TB) handles the Program for NOAA.
This Program authorizes the direct transfer of excess educational useful
Federal property to schools and educational non-profit organizations
to promote technical and scientific education and research activities.
Education-related equipment includes computers and related peripheral
tools (e.g. printers, cables, modems, routers, and servers) including
telecommunications and research equipment that are appropriate for use
in pre-kindergarten, elementary, middle, or secondary school education.
A school is eligible to participate if it is a public, private, parochial,
or home school serving pre-kindergarten through grade 12 students. Day
care centers must provide a state-approved, pre-school curriculum in
order to participate. An educational non-profit organization must meet
three criteria in order to participate:
• it must serve pre-kindergarten through grade 12 students;
• it must be tax exempt under Section 501(c) of the U.S. tax code;
and
• it must operate exclusively for the purpose of education.
Procedure
If a NOAA Line, Staff, or Program Office is interested in donating equipment,
that office must complete a CD-50, Personal Property Control, for the
equipment being donated. A copy of this form is available on Informs
or at the following web address: www.pps.noaa.gov/forms.htm.
This is the same form that is used for "regular" excess. All the NOAA-installed
programs (i.e., WordPerfect, Lotus, etc.) and associated data must be
removed from the hard drive, but the operating system must be left intact.
The office must also state the following on the CD-50:
• that the equipment is for the CFL Program;
• that the equipment is operational; and
• that all NOAA-installed programs and associated data have been
removed.
The CD-50 should then be signed by the individual submitting the form
and forwarded to their servicing Personal Property Office. Offices in
NOAA Headquarters should submit the form to James Moore, OFA722, SSMC-4,
Station 8163 (Phone: 301-713-3530, ext. 173). Field Offices should contact
their servicing Personal Property Office for instructions. When the
completed CD-50 is received, PP&TB then coordinates the donation with
the recipient and the NOAA Warehouse. The equipment will be picked up
by Warehouse personnel and transported to an area in the Warehouse set
aside just for the CFL Program.
If your office has excess equipment, please consider donating that equipment
to this extremely worthwhile Program. Please contact James Moore as
soon as your office has made the decision to donate so the process can
begin. You do not have to have a particular school/non-profit organization
in mind to donate. PP&TB is constantly receiving requests for equipment
and makes every effort to match the available donated equipment to the
needs of the qualifying recipients.
Many schools are experiencing severe budget constraints and are very
appreciative that there is a way to obtain computers and related equipment
free of charge. Within the last year, NOAA has donated equipment to
12 recipients throughout the United States, and PP&TB has received numerous
e-mails, phone calls, and letters from recipients expressing their sincere
gratitude for the donated equipment. One school in particular, High
Point High School, published a "Thank you NOAA" article in their school
newsletter. In addition, cards of thanks were received from all the
students and teachers in the High Point High School Library Media Center.
For more details and guidelines, please contact
James Moore, 301/713-3570, ext.173.
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