Schwarzenegger calls for tech consolidation

Information technology contractors doing business with the state of California might find more large-scale contracting opportunities if the state puts four agencies responsible for different technology programs under one roof.

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger unveiled a sweeping cost-cutting plan Jan. 16 as part of his effort to make state government function more efficiently. The plan calls for the integration of four key technology agencies that would be under the supervision of the state’s chief information officer.

The agencies are the State CIO Office, Information Security and Privacy Protection Office, Technology Services Department and the General Services Department’s Telecommunications Division.

Under the plan, the state CIO would have authority to establish IT procurement policy and enterprise IT management; however, program-specific IT systems and budget would remain at the agency level.

The consolidation of software contracts, office automation tools, data centers, servers, storage and networks in the wake of the consolidation initiative might save the state $1.5 billion, according to a fact sheet put out by the governor’s office.

The IT reorganization plan was one of 18 cost-cutting measures announced by Schwarzenegger in an effort to streamline California state government. Other similar initiatives involve eliminating or consolidating agencies.