Designed for use by vendors, this guide provides an overview of the objectives for the 5-year computer literacy program to be implemented in the District of Columbia Public Schools; outlines requirements which are mandatory elements of vendors' bids unless explicitly designated "desirable"; and details specifications for computing equipment, software, communications equipment, and maintenance services needed to meet the first-year objectives of the program. Detailed specifications are presented under six headings: (1) core equipment, including hardware, software, systems capabilities, and maintenance for 200 locations; (2) optical mark scanners for 125 elementary schools; (3) one computer training laboratory to support inservice education for teachers about computing, with incremental prices for devices and software to equip additional laboratories should they be desired; (4) communications hardware to link all work stations and other core equipment into a fixed or message-based network; (5) communications facilities to implement solutions proposed in sections one and/or four; and (6) student computer laboratories including tutorial and diagnostic assistance in certain curriculum areas. Procedures and criteria which will be used to evaluate vendors' responses are also provided. (LMM)