Brooks Act: An 8-Bit Act in a 64-Bit World. An Investigation of the Brooks Actand Its Implications to the Department of Defense Information Technology Acquisition Process

摘要

Throughout the sixties and seventies, the Federal Government was the largestsingle buyer and IBM the largest seller of automated data processing equipment in the world. No natural set of interfaces arnong central processing units (CPUs), peripheral equipment, data, or programs existed. Lack of standardization resulted in thousands of hours of unused computer time within the government. In March 1965, the president approved and sent to Congress an OMB report on the management of ADP in Government. The report cited the government's serious ADP management problems. These matters were considered by Congress as the Brooks Act was enacted. The Brooks Act sought improvement in ADPE acquisition processes that would enhance the Government's bargaining position of hardware through volume