Homeland Security deal to Dell

Dell Computer Corp. won a contract from the Homeland Security Department to supply an enterprise license for Microsoft software.

The six-year agreement provides for a payment between $110 million and $120 million, Dell spokeswoman Michelle Mosmeyer said. The contract covers about 144,000 users, who will receive access to Microsoft server, operating system and application software, other sources said.

Dell will manage the total desktop and server solution, including operating system, server and office automation software such as Word. The Round Rock, Texas, company also will manage all upgrades, updates and patches for the Microsoft systems. Dell will not sell hardware to the agency under the pact.

The department reached the agreement earlier this month after inviting nine bidders, including GTSI Corp. of Chantilly, Va., and MarkSoft Management Resources Inc. of Canterbury, N.H., to present proposals.