California State Agencies are now authorized to provide surplus state-owned information technology equipment to Public Computer Centers for less than fair market value, according to a Department of General Services (DGS) announcement posted online Friday.
The department’s State Surplus Property Program has provided information for Public Computer Centers and state agencies in order to facilitate SB 493. The legislation, authored by Sen. Alex Padilla, D- Pacoima, and signed into law in September, allows DGS to offer discounted equipment to nonprofit organizations.
Previously, DGS had to offer the first right of refusal for computers to school districts. The law is aimed at bridging the digital divide in California by expanding access to state-of-the-art technologies for rural, inner-city, low-income and disabled Californians.
The non-profit Public Computer Centers eligible for the equipment must be on record as a partner with a school district in California, according to DGS. The department assembled a detailed website with information on how to establish eligibility for the program, as well as how to apply to be on the Approved Public Computer Center list.
For state agencies, DGS provides instructions for dispositions to Public Computer Centers, agency responsibilities, a list of auction prices to help the agency determine fair market value of equipment, and a list of eligible Public Computer Centers.
Additional information about the program is available at: http://www.dgs.ca.gov/ofam/programs/sb493.aspx
