Marine Corps tap Dell for NMCI computers

Dell Computer Corp., won a contract to provide more than 60,000 desktop and notebook computers to the Marine Corps, the company announced Oct. 3. The computer systems are part of the Marine Corp's Enterprise Sustainment Initiative. Dell did not disclose the value of the contract.

Under the contract, Dell of Round Rock, Texas, will lease about 30,000 desktop computers and 30,000 notebook systems to the Marine Corps. The company will install the systems on-site, transfer existing data from the old computers to the new computers and remove the old systems. The company also will provide four-hour service for the desktops and replace the notebooks if they are accidentally damaged.

Working with Navy Marine Corps Intranet prime contractor Electronic Data Systems Corp. of Plano, Texas, the Marines will be able to integrate systems delivered under the initiative into the NMCI program, the company said.

"The Enterprise Sustainment Initiative was put in place to give the Marine Corps a seamless transition to the NMCI systems when they roll out," said Lt. Col. Matthew Ochs, NMCI's deputy program manager.

Many of the Dell computer notebooks will be used by Marine Corps combat troops, replacing the older, outdated systems the troops currently use.

Dell has about 35,000 employees and annual revenue of $31.1 billion, according to Hoover's Online of Austin, Texas.