Please direct your media and public relations inquiries to: mediarelations@cdw.com 800-800-4CDW CDW-G Issues RFP Seeking SMB Partners for Federal Contracts Vernon Hills, Ill. - March 23, 2004 - CDW Government, Inc. (CDW-G), the government and education subsidiary of CDW Corporation (Nasdaq: CDWC), today issued a request-for-proposal (RFP) soliciting woman- or veteran-owned companies, certified small and disadvantaged firms, and companies located in a federal Historically Underutilized Business Zones to partner on appropriate federal business opportunities that involve small business participation. "In establishing this consortium last summer, our strategy was right on target," said Jim Shanks, president of CDW-G. "We have been able to help federal agencies fulfill their goals for awarding set-aside contracts, and at the same time have found it profitable to work with small firms that need a larger company's resources to strengthen their presence in the federal market. It's been a win-win-win program for us, the SMBs and the Federal Government." Since the consortium's launch in July 2003, 12 small and disadvantaged companies have participated in the program. Last month, CDW-G announced that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was the first purchaser through the consortium, and has been using it successfully to make purchases of technology products and services worth an estimated $350,000 from small and disadvantaged businesses. CDW-G intends to award Partnership Agreements under the five lots described in the RFP, pursuant to which the small business partner may issue purchase orders to CDW-G and CDW-G may fulfill those orders for Federal Government opportunities that are generated by either the small business partner or CDW-G. The RFP and any revisions/amendments are posted online for download at www.cdwg.com/smallbizrfp. Small businesses are encouraged to monitor this Web site to ensure that any resulting proposal is in accordance with all RFP revisions/amendments. Responses are due by 3 P.M., Eastern Time on April 12, 2004. Forward Looking Statement Any forward-looking statements contained in this release are based on the Company's beliefs and expectations as of the date of this release and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties which may have a significant impact on the Company's business, operating results or financial condition. Should any risk or uncertainty materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results or outcomes may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements. Factors affecting the Company's business and prospects are discussed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. About CDW-G A wholly-owned subsidiary of CDW Corporation (Nasdaq: CDWC), CDW-G addresses the unique needs of the government and education markets with brand-name technology products and services. CDW-G is a leading source of technology products and services from top name brands such as APC, Apple, Cisco, HP, IBM, Microsoft, Sony, Symantec, Toshiba and ViewSonic. For more information about CDW-G's product offerings, procurement options, service and solutions, call 1-800-863-4239 or visit the CDW-G Web site at CDWG.com. About CDW CDW® (Nasdaq: CDWC), ranked No. 381 on the FORTUNE 500, is a leading provider of technology solutions for business, government and education. CDW is a principal source of technology products and services including top name brands such as APC, Apple, Cisco, HP, IBM, Microsoft, Sony, Symantec, Toshiba and ViewSonic. CDW distributes contracts to end users for customized and standardized on-site services supplied directly by providers such as HP Services and Unisys and for training programs provided by firms such as KnowledgeNet and Productivity Point International. CDW was founded in 1984 as a home-based business and today employs more than 3,600 coworkers. In 2003, the Company's coworkers generated sales of $4.7 billion. CDW's direct model offers one-on-one relationships with knowledgeable account managers; purchasing by telephone, fax, the Company's award-winning CDW.com Web site or customized CDW@work™ extranets, CDWG.com Web site and Macwarehouse.com Web site; custom configured solutions and same day shipping; and pre- and post-sales technical support, with more than 100 factory-trained and A+ certified technicians on staff. Additional information can be found by visiting CDW.com.