Luna’s Laptop Strategy Hits A Snag

State schools Superintendent Tom Luna’s plan to give a laptop to every Idaho high school student and faculty member has hit a snag. Rather than have businesses compete for a piece of the $80 million project, Idaho now will have to go to them. Earlier this year, Idaho put out requests for proposals from companies to deliver and service laptops defined as 6 pounds or less, with a 12-inch screen and to be able to “withstand the occasional spill.” Three outfits — names withheld — responded. One missed the deadline. Another didn’t meet the specifications. Left with one company, the state scrapped the bidding process and next will engage in sole negotiations. But that can put the state in a bind. In the absence of competitive bids, the state can’t know if it’s getting a fair price/ Marty Trillhaase , Lewiston Tribune. More here .

Question: Will Superintendent Tom Luna be able to pull off this switch to laptops in a timely manner?