Technology and cybersecurity

Executive Order 12999: Educational Technology: Ensuring Opportunity for All Children in the Next Century

President: Bill Clinton

Streamlined transfer of excess federal computers to schools and educational nonprofits and encouraged federal technical volunteers.

Status: In effect.

Is Executive Order 12999 still in effect? Yes. Active; GSA continues the Computers for Learning program under EO 12999.

What does Executive Order 12999 do?

EO 12999 directed agencies to identify educationally useful excess computers and related equipment and give schools and educational nonprofits direct transfer priority, especially recipients with the greatest need. It also encouraged federal employees to volunteer technical help on their own time and superseded EO 12821. GSA still operates Computers for Learning, and current federal property reporting expressly covers transfers made under the order.

Administration position: The program makes excess equipment available but does not guarantee a device to every school or require agencies to transfer property needed for federal work.
SignedApril 17, 1996
Eligible recipientsSchools and educational nonprofits
ProgramComputers for Learning

Before and after

Before the order

Surplus disposal procedures made direct educational reuse slower and less coordinated.

After the order

Schools gained a government-wide route to request excess computer equipment.

Who had to do what

Agency / officeActionTiming / position
Federal agenciesIdentify and transfer educationally useful excess equipmentContinuing
GSAOperate the matching and property systemContinuing
Federal employeesVolunteer technical expertise where permittedOptional

What happened next

EO 12999 established the transfer policy.

GSA guidance still required reporting of EO 12999 transfers.