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Surplus computers benefit schools, DOD

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Sabrina Foster
  • 375th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
12/21/2006 --  The Defense Reutilization Marketing Office here recently gave $93,000 worth of computer equipment to local schools and Department of Defense units.

DRMO was able to give these computers to local schools and other DoD units through serviceable turn-ins of Automated Data Processing Equipment -- computers and all their component parts, received from different squadrons or organizations on Scott.

"The turn-in process is fairly simple," said Daniel Owens, 375th Communications Squadron base equipment control officer. "Each unit should have an equipment custodian, who takes care of the turn-in process."

Once a unit identifies excess equipment, the equipment custodian submits an excess letter along with a DD Form 1348-1A to the ADPE office, said Mr. Owens.
"We will verify the information is correct and process it into the Asset Inventory Management Database. It is then sent to the major command equipment officer where it will be approved or disapproved. Once it is approved, it goes over to DRMO. The equipment custodian will get a call from DRMO to arrange turn-in of the equipment," said Mr. Owens.

Once the equipment is turned in to DRMO, it is placed in the Defense Reutilization Marketing Service website for screening.

"Although schools are in the screening that takes place during the first 14 days, priority is given to DoD and law enforcement," said Jett Cates, DRMO Disposal Service representative.

In order to be eligible to receive the computers, a school must first register for the Department of Defense computers for learning program at https://www.drms.dla.mil/cfl_online/.

Once registered and in receipt of a login and password the schools can screen assets at http://www.drms.dla.mil.

"We do not decide who gets the computers," said Mr. Cates. "Once a request is approved, we are notified by the Defense Reutilization Marketing Service. The school is then contacted to make arrangements for pick up or shipment," he said.

DRMO does not ship to schools, they either have to pick up or make arrangements for shipping to include packing and loading.

Most of the schools come and pick up the computers once they are notified, said Mr. Cates.

"We not only take computers," said Mr. Cates. "We take anything that is useable, but the computers don't stay around long. In addition to the $93,000 worth of computers, we also sent out 38 computers worth more than $38,000 to the Michigan Air National Guard and 30 laptops to the state of Missouri worth about $1,000 each."

In addition to giving back to local schools and DoD units across all branches of the military, DRMO sent 300 complete computer systems to the New Orleans police department in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

The computers for learning program is an asset for our local school community, said Mr. Cates.

"We have schools in the local area that come to us all the time for computers, and as far out as Springfield, Ill. The schools have better computers than they could probably afford because of this program."