ACCS/Info Notice
ACCS Information Note Re: Communication from PDST- Details of new DCG/CAD PC Mini-Towers & Laptops for Schools.
Following a recent Tender process for DCG/CAD computers new models of both Mini-Tower computers and for Laptops will soon be available to be purchased by schools or ETBs. The evaluation team included a number of DCG and Solidworks expert teachers, technology specialists, the SEC, and the Inspectorate. Contracts have be signed and it will be possible shortly to order from the 2 successful companies, who are:
Datapac (with HP) are the company that won the tender to supply the Mini-Tower PCs.
Capita (with Dell) are the company that won the tender to supply the Laptops/Notebooks.
Summary Costs:
Mini-Tower Cost: €956.75 (Including 21.5 Inch monitor, and including VAT).
Laptop Cost: €1,177.32 (Including VAT).
Funding the purchase of DCG Computers:
Firstly there is no 'DCG-specific ICT Grant'. All ICT Grant school funding (except new school builds) is made available via annual ICT Grants.
Timing of ICT Grant: The current DES plan is to pay annual ICT Grants to Post Primary schools and ETBs by Monday 11th May 2020, at the latest.
Estimate of ICT Grant amount per school:
The initial ICT Grant payment in 2019was €45Million, while €5Million had to be applied for.
The initial ICT Grant payment in 2020 will be €40Million, while €10Million had to be applied for.
So this year (2020) eligible schools can expect to receive 88% of what they received in 2019.
Forecast your DCG/CAD computer requirements:
In order to forecast the number of new Mini-Tower computers and Laptops that schools require to place orders in this first order batch, PDST are asking schools &/or ETBs to forecast the number they plan to order. We'll then send this combined forecast to the two successful companies so that they can manufacture the units in Asia, and deliver them to schools in Ireland as soon as possible. Your forecast is needed as soon as possible, but by Friday 3rd April latest.
Schools should only forecast the number of units that it plans to order based on having funds available to purchase.If a school or ETB will not have funds available (including ICT Grant funds received in early May) then it should not complete this form, as this will cause the forecast to be incorrect.
We’re working with both companies and with Solidworks and PDST colleagues to finalise the configuration & manufacturing build image (including Solidworks). We’re also trying to simplify the order process, so to ensure that units can be manufactured and delivered to schools/ETBs as soon as possible.
Given that the COVID-19 situation is causing delays to global manufacturing and delivery to Europe, it is critical that we provide a forecast that is as accurate as possible to the two companies, so that they can run a large enough production run to supply schools DCGs forecasted volumes efficiently. To facilitate this process I’ve created an ‘online DCG forecasting tool using Survey Monkey (details are provided at the end of this email), which needs to be completed by each school (or ETB on their behalf) that wants to order DCG units.
The PC Mini-Tower and Laptop Details:
Mini Tower Workstation:
Model: HP Z2 G4 Tower Workstation
Solidworks 2019/20 CAD software is pre-installed
Intel Core i5-9600 processor, 3.1 GHz, 6 Cores, 64 bit, 9MB Cache
Microsoft Windows 10 Pro’ OS (64 bit)
16GB Memory (2x8GB DDR4)
500GB SSD Drive, (for faster performance and reliability)
Internal CD/DVD combo drive
Internal 10/100/1000 Ethernet (RJ45)
NVIDIA Quadro P1000 4GB Graphics card. Certified by Solidworks. 4K Resolution (4096 x 2160)
21.5 Inch TFT Flat Screen Monitor, height and tilt adjustable monitor, Resolution 1920x1080
6 x USB 3.0 (2 front, 4 rear); 2 x USB 2.0; RJ-45 LAN Gigabit, Audio in/out ports
1 x headphones/microphone, 2 x DisplayPort, 1xVGA, 4xMiniDisplayport
Full Size USB Scroll Mouse (cabled), QWERTY keyboard with euro symbol and numeric keypad.
Warranty: 3 year Next Business Day Onsite, parts and labour (provided as standard); Option of 1 or 2 year additional warranty available (at additional cost)
Tower PC Cost: €956.75 (Including 21.5 Inch Monitor, Including VAT).
Additional options will be listed on the order form which will be available soon.
Laptop Specification and Costs
Model: Dell Mobile Precision 3541 XCTO
Solidworks 2019/20 3D CAD software is already pre-installed
Intel Core i7-9850H processor, 2.6 GHz, 6 Core, 64Bit, 12MB Cache
Microsoft Windows 10 Professional OS (64 bit)
16GB Memory (1x16GB DDR4)
500GB SSD Drive, (for faster performance and reliability)
Nvidia Quadro P620 Graphics Card, Solidworks Certified, 4GB Memory, 4xDisplayport 1.4
15.6 Inch Screen, Resolution 1920x1080, Anti-Glare
RJ-45 LAN Gigabit; 3xUSB 3.1; 1xHDMI 2.0; 1xHeadset jack, 1xSD card reader
1 Thunderbolt Type C (Backwards compatible with USB C)
Weight: 2.06kg
Integrated HD Camera
Dell Pro Slim Briefcase
Warranty: 3 year Next Business Day Onsite Warranty, parts and labour (provided as standard); Option of 2 year additional warranty available (at additional cost)
Laptop Cost: €1,177.32 (Including VAT).
Additional options will be listed on the order form which will be available soon.
Forecast Link:
Please go to this link to enter you school forecast.
Your forecast is needed as soon as possible, but by Friday 3rd April latest.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DCG-Forecast2020
If you have any queries please send these to ictadvice@pdst.ie
Thank you and Best Regards
Tom Lonergan,
National Coordinator - Technology Integration
PDST Technology in Education,
Dublin City University (DCU),
Glasnevin, Dublin 9
https://www.pdsttechnologyineducation.ie/en/Technology/Purchasing-Frameworks/
John Irwin, General Secretary,
ACCS,