Hee's my draft justification for a MacBook Pro
Please let me know what you think. (Thanks to those who replied
from whom I freely cut and pasted!) ;o)
SUBJECT: Justification – Sole Source Knowledge
Management/Adaptive Equipment (Macbook Pro)
1. PURPOSE: Justification for request of Macbook Pro (MBP)
laptop and KM-dedicated Aircard (see PORF attached)
2. JUSTIFICATION:
a.Mission. The Knowledge Management Officer (KMO) is responsible
to ensure collaboration and information sharing across agencies
within DoD, the public and academia. Many of these agencies use
Mac equipment and files. MBP can run Mac/Apple, Open Source and
Windows software simultaneously. Windows laptops cannot handle
Mac files or software. The KMO is also responsible to test
collaboration equipment and software of all kinds including state-
of-the-art software that has demonstrated superior performance on
a Mac.
b.Accessibility. The incumbent KMO (undersigned) has multiple
disabilities which include low vision. After experimenting with
various accessibility software and equipment over the years he has
discovered that the Mac/Apple equipment and software is far
superior to Windows equipment and software for his needs and has
purchased a MBP for his own use at home toward this end. Attempts
at accommodation using Windows accessibility equipment have
resulted in his becoming ill and feeling as if it would trigger a
seizure (he is taking anti-seizure medication). This purchase
qualifies as reasonable accommodation under the Americans with
Disabilities Act..Use of this equipment would allow it to be used
by anyone after the retirement/reassignment of the incumbent.
Specialized adaptive equipment could not.
c. Background.
(1.) The device is available through the consolidated buy
initiative of NETCOM (senior headquarters to DOIMs)
(2.) NETCOM has approved MBPs, including on the Army Network. The
MBP has an approved Army Gold Master (AGM) setup through NETCOM.
(AGM is the default, approved setup for computers as directed by
NETCOM.) With AGM for Mac, they are now able to "join" the
network using CAC login.
(3.) Mac hardware and Adobe CS (also being requested) are
already in CHESS for purchasing through the normal Army computing
platform process. This is directed because the Mac platform is a
more capable and durable system proven through AARs and LLs from
SRC 45 units using test bed systems while deployed in OIF and OEF.
(4.) Mac/Apple equipment and software are used throughout DoD
(5) There is precedent for having a Mac/Apple computer as we had
one at our previous station (not brought during the move to my
knowledge)
4. RISK ASSESSMENT:
a. As noted above, according to NETCOM there is no more risk to
having Mac/Apple software on the Army network than a Windows
system. In fact, Mac/Apple products are known for being much less
susceptible to virus/worm/Trojan/hacker attacks.
b. However, since local commanders have authority to ban from the
network, if local DOIM decided to ban the MBP it could still be
used off of the network as a replacement for the Windows laptop
currently being used by the KMO. This one-for-one switch out
would simply make a much more robust, handicap-accessible system
available in place of the current Windows laptop.
- Request for an aircard is for this “off-network” use. The
aircard currently being used on the Windows laptop is a “loaner”
from IMO and is always subject to removal/use by other users.
This severely hampers mission planning. Having a dedicated
aircard (and attendant $70/month fee as part of the KM budget)
would allow the MBP to be used off of the LAN for special project
purposes as well as when
needed anywhere as an “on the go” laptop for the most effective
and efficient means of collaboration.