SSS

Student Support Services

Computer Recycling for Education and Technology Enhancement:  General Program Information

Information for Acquiring Surplus Computer Equipment

Chapter 261 of the Laws of 1996, as amended by Chapter 474 of the Laws of 1996, provides for the establishment of a program to take computer equipment that is no longer needed by the state and private industry and distribute them to schools, libraries and other educational institutions.  The new law, the Computer Recycling for Education and Technology Enhancement ACT, "CREATE" amends the Education Law and the State Finance Law.

The legislature directs the State Education Department in consultation with the State Office of General Services to establish guidelines to direct the flow of surplus state-owned computer equipment and make them available for use in the educational environment.  It also authorizes the Department to accept or coordinate private donations of computer equipment for use in schools and other educational institutions that demonstrate need as well as plan for use of the equipment.

Selection and determination of institutions to be notified of available surplus equipment will be based on the institutions completed application.

SED will notify the categories of institutions as defined in the regional/county areas set forth in these guidelines, on a regular basis of the process to apply and participate in the distribution of surplus computers.  A list of eligible institutions as determined upon the review of their submitted proposals will be developed.  These lists will be categorized into regional/county areas used by OGS Availability Notices and maintained by the OGS Bureau of Surplus Personal Property disposition.  This list will be used as a basis for notifying the institutions of available equipment.  The list may also be used to assist non-state agency donors to identify institutions that may be contacted for direct distribution of equipment available for donation.  OGS would have no obligations associated with the distribution of the donated equipment from the non-state agency sources.

Institutions may be charged a reasonable fee for shipping and handling for the transfer of equipment. The fees shall not exceed one-half the monetary value of the computer equipment.

If necessary, SED will establish acceptable monetary values of computer equipment based on published guidelines from Computer Reseller News.  

Expectations of Institutions Acquiring Surplus Computer Equipment for Use

  • Institutions are required to submit a proposal which is kept on file.
  • Computers received will be used for classroom vs. administrative purposes.

Information for Acquiring Surplus Computer Equipment for Repair/Restoration

Chapter 261 of the Laws of 1996, as amended by Chapter 474 of the Laws of 1996, provides for the establishment of a program to take computer equipment that is no longer needed by the state and private industry, refurbish them if needed, and distribute them to schools, libraries and other educational institutions.  The new law, the Computer Recycling for Education and Technology Enhancement ACT, "CREATE" amends the Education Law and the State Finance Law.

The legislature directs the State Education Department in consultation with the State Office of General Services to establish guidelines to direct the flow of surplus state-owned computer equipment and make them available for use in the educational environment.  It also authorizes the Department to accept or coordinate private donations of computer equipment for use in schools and other educational institutions that demonstrate need as well as plan for use of the equipment.

Selection and determination of institutions to receive notification in relationship of available to this program will be based on the institution's completed application.

SED will notify the categories of institutions as defined in the regional/county areas set forth in these guidelines, on a regular basis of the process to apply and participate in the distribution of surplus computers.  A list of eligible institutions as determined upon the review of their submitted proposals will be developed.  These lists will be categorized into regional/county areas used by OGS Availability Notices and maintained by the OGS Bureau of Surplus Personal Property disposition.  This list will be used as a basis for notifying the institutions of available equipment.  The list may also be used to assist non-state agency donors to identify institutions that may be contacted for direct distribution of equipment available for donation.  OGS would have no obligations associated with the distribution of the donated equipment from the non-state agency sources.

Information for securing equipment through this program is available to participating agencies.

Expectations of Institutions Acquiring Surplus Computer Equipment for Repair/Restoration

  • The institution would repair equipment with the understanding that they would not be reimbursed for purchasing parts.  The intent of repair is to utilize multiple machines to create single units which then would be placed on an inventory of functional systems to be maintained by SED.
  • The institution would not be able to retain ownership of the equipment which they would be repairing.  All repaired/restored units would be made available for distribution.  The institution may submit a competitive proposal to obtain this equipment similar to all other qualified institutions.
  • The institution to be identified as a site for equipment repair and restoration needs to demonstrate the ability to provide repair to the equipment within a three month period ( One quarter).
  • The institution needs to demonstrate that the computer repair/restoration is part of their technological training of their students.
  • The institution would notify SED once computer equipment is repaired/restored so that SED may compile a quarterly report availability notice to institutions requesting repaired/restored computers applications.

Requirements for Private Schools

Each private school receiving surplus computer equipment under the CREATE program shall use such equipment solely for secular educational purposes.  Distribution of surplus equipment to private schools shall also be subject to the following requirements:

  •  A private school shall use surplus computer equipment to provide learning technologies that supplement, and in no case supplant, the level of services that would, in the absence of the CREATE program, be available to students in private schools.
  •  A private school shall use surplus computer equipment to meet the individual needs of participating students in the private school, but not for the needs of the private school.
  •  In the case of sectarian private schools, surplus computer equipment must be disabled to pvent diversion for sectarian purposes and only be made available for individual use by students and teachers and not for direct general classroom instruction by sectarian school teachers.
  •  A private school receiving surplus computer equipment shall assure the Commissioner and State Education Department that such equipment will be used solely for secular educational purposes
Last Updated: April 15, 2014