The federal space agency announced late last week that it had signed the agreement with HP's Enterprise Services unit in Herndon, Va., formerly known as EDS. , or EDS, for $13.9 billion in 2008.

Under the contract, HP will and software, mobile IT services, peripherals, accessories and supporting infrastructure.

NASA, which spends about $1.8 billion annually on IT, has 80,000 desktops and laptops.

The contract has a four-year base period and two three-year renewal options.

Ray Bjorklund, a vice president at consulting firm Federal Sources in McLean, Va., believes 10-year contracts are too long.