The Vermont Emergency Services agency is looking for an automated system for its responder and public notification process. The Vermont Department of Buildings and General Services is managing the procurement. Requirements include the purchase of an automated system for the state's two state warning points and perhaps the emergency operations center. The state will consider a standalone PC, other standalone device or a service. The RFP is expected in August.
	The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment wants a file transfer protocol solution for its unemployment insurance program. The solution should interface with Active Directory 2000 and 2003, and be easy to deploy and be used by other state agencies. It should use encrypted data transmission, data integrity verification, multiplatform compatibility, browser-based file transfers and have guaranteed delivery and auto-restart. A request for proposals is expected in July.
Federal officials are hoping to bolster support among states for an anti-terrorism information-sharing network with a new approach that would let each state keep greater control over its information.
EDS Corp. has fired a verbal broadside at its health services rival Affiliated Computer Services Inc., protesting the award to ACS of a Medicaid replacement system contract in North Carolina.
	The Washington State Fire Protection Bureau is planning an RFP for an automated data collection system. The bureau conducts about 1,300 fire and life safety inspections annually that often require using state and federal inspection codes, which can differ.
	The Texas Children's Health Insurance Program, Kidney Health Care and Children with Special Health Care Needs programs released a draft RFP for a pharmacy benefit management system. The final RFP is expected in June. The programs need claims process and data management, customer service, formulary management and rebate administration capabilities.
	The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System expects to release an RFP in July for development of a data warehouse and decision support system. The contractor will design the data architecture; build the database structure; specify decision support and reporting software tools; train users and IT staff; provide data architecture documentation and a data dictionary; and assist in specifying system hardware scalable to meet future requirements.
	The Connecticut Department of Banking is planning a request for proposals for an off-the-shelf client examination, registration, investigation and licensing system. The RFP is expected by the end of May. The Department of Banking wants online filing of applications, renewals and originator registrations as well as Internet inquiries of application and registration status. The software also should have relational database features.
With funding still unsteady for new state and local technology projects, contractors are focusing on opportunities fueled by federal grants, especially for homeland security and public safety.
	The Kentucky Office of Technology is considering a next-generation network for voice and data services at all state agencies and schools. Called the Kentucky Information Highway 2, it will replace a network put in place in 1991. Services needed include transitioning help, maintenance, long-distance and operations. Proposals are due June 4.
	The Washington Department of Licensing wants to replace its field system for licensing vehicles. The system uses an HP 3000, and its programming is written in Transact. The state wants an integrated licensing system and may need code conversion services. The state is exploring switching to a Windows platform, manually rewriting the code for Windows or installing a commercial application. Responses to the request for information are due May 3. If funded, the RFP is expected in spring 2005.
	Georgia wants to provide project management training for state agencies. The Georgia Technology Authority is overseeing the initiative. The contractor should offer curricula for classroom seminars based on the authority's management principles and methodology. Courses are needed on identifying and managing risk, project planning and recovering failing projects. Final proposals are due April 30.
	The Illinois State Toll Highway Authority wants to redesign its 1985-era financial systems to encompass changes in the way state agencies interact and operate. The state wants a system to improve customer service, reduce transaction costs, improve workflow, reduce paper, improve productivity and improve access to information. A request for proposals is expected in June.
After a Salt Lake City newspaper last month revealed that customer service calls for a state-run unemployment program were being answered in India, Utah citizens began phoning government offices throughout the state.
Traditionally, state and local governments are risk-adverse organizations. Public-sector entities often shun bleeding-edge technology in favor of proven, safe solutions.
During late-night debates or heated committee hearings, state legislators in North Dakota can use a new system to keep track of the latest bill amendments.
	The Vermont State Treasurer in May will release an RFP to assess replacing its mainframe-based retirement infrastructure. The information will be used for another RFP, expected in the third quarter of fiscal 2005, for software and services.
	The New York Power Authority has developed a disaster response plan that calls for a vendor-equipped hot site. The plan has identified 22 critical applications. The power authority is looking for information from vendors that can be used for an RFP, which is expected in June.
