Brief: Fingerprint ID system

The Alameda County, Calif., Police Department wants a mobile fingerprint identification system. Mobile scanners, support computers, software and real-time wireless biometric fingerprint technology are needed. Officers want to scan, collect and forward data to the police department's criminal investigation bureau for verification of identities. The bureau will help identify people at crime scenes, checkpoints and other situations in the field. An RFP for the $250,000 project is expected at the end of the month.

Brief: Photo repository wanted

The Connecticut State Police needs photo repository and facial recognition software. The departments of Corrections and Motor Vehicles, law enforcement agencies and the sex offender registry will need access to the repository. The RFP is expected by the end of the year.

Brief: NYC dispatch system needed

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority needs staffing and operation of a Paratransit Command Center. The center must manage 800 vehicles on 900 routes every day. The number of vehicles may rise to 2,000 during the contract, and routes may expand based on demand. The contractor also will train dispatch personnel and hire and train new employees. The dispatch system will handle trip inquiries, cancellations, advance reservations and be able to supply vehicle location and customer load. The request for proposals is expected this month.

Companies join Arizona's team

When Arizona tax authorities first thought about creating an amnesty program to entice state residents to pay back taxes without the usual penalties, they decided to consult the contractor modernizing the state's tax system before proceeding.

Eye on the States: What color is your customer's money?

Having trouble getting your state and local customers to commit to more spending this year? A recent fiscal survey sheds some light on why. The National Association of State Budget Officers is projecting a flat growth rate for all state budgets in fiscal 2004 except for Alabama, Michigan, New York and Texas. This contrasts with an average annual historical growth rate of 6.2 percent.

Across the Digital Nation: U.S. watches world governments try open-source software

China's government recently re-announced a policy that forces all public-sector entities to use only locally produced software for all system upgrades. The policy, which will be in place until 2010, is expected to increase domestic-made software use from 33 percent to 100 percent.

E-voting security questioned

The push to bring voting into the electronic age has stalled amid concerns that new electronic equipment is vulnerable to tampering.

N.C. Medicaid recompete

	The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Medical Assistance, plans to release an RFP this month to recompete its Medicaid management information system fiscal agent contract. The state wants to improve system performance; reduce costs in operations and manual processes; reduce the cost of changes to the system; and bring the system in line with the state's architectural strategy. The current fiscal agent is Electronic Data Systems Corp.

Temporary disability program

	The California Employment Development Department will release an RFP this month for integration services for the Family Temporary Disability Program. The program will use a Web-enabled system, leveraging mainframe claim processing applications and document imaging technology. The supplier will implement the program, including software development, integration activities, configuration and installation.

Electronic payment services

	The Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration is planning an RFP, expected this month, for electronic payment services. The state accepts credit and logo-type credit cards for retail and business, restaurant, lodging and Internet transactions. These transactions are processed via point-of-sale terminals, an Internet portal vendor's software interface and a hospitality management system vendor's software interface. The state is expecting growth in Internet transactions and the software interfaces that will be needed.

Records management system

&#009;The Capitol Region Council of Governments and the state of Connecticut want professional software application development services and products for a police records management software system, <BR>

Eye on the States: From bad to ... better? Where the budget deficits went

Welcome to the newest roller-coaster ride: It's called state budgets. These days, they seem to swing wildly from forecasted deficits one day to surprising surpluses the next.

Wireless integrated network

&#009;The Missouri State Highway Patrol has a requirement for a satellite communications system and related support services. The system will support the patrol and the departments of transportation, corrections and conservation and water patrol. An RFP is expected in the third quarter. The project value has not been determined.

Medicaid system replacement

&#009;The Division of Medical Assistance of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services seeks to enhance and replace its certified Medicaid management information system and related systems and processes. The new systems are needed to meet Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act regulations. An RFP is expected in September. The total cost of the project, including all related RFPs, is valued at $25.9 million.

Jail management system

&#009;The Salt Lake City Sheriff's Office plans to release a request for proposals for a jail management system that will interface, integrate and relay all police-related activities within Utah, Salt Lake County and any other local police departments. The RFP is expected in September. The project is worth about $4 million. The state wants a contractor that can install and configure the new hardware and software and provide system integration that allows data retrieval and conversion.

Outsourcing shines amid budget woes

Local governments that wouldn't have entertained the notion of outsourcing their technology infrastructures as recently as two years ago are warming to the idea because of the poor economy.

Across the Digital Nation: Infrastructure consolidation

Over the past 10 years, state and local government organizations have made significant investments in technology infrastructure.

Remote access needed

The Alaska Regulatory Commission wants a contract to provide broadband telecommunication services to 68 rural communities with a population of less than 250. These communities are geographically isolated, have extreme climate conditions and have limited educational and economic opportunities. An RFP for the $4 million project is expected in August.

MMIS re-bid

Rhode Island Human Services Department is rebidding its Medicaid management information system fiscal agent contract. The incumbent contractor is Electronic Data Systems Corp., Plano, Texas. The new contract will have only a few additions and refinements and is worth $36 million. An RFP is expected in August.

Airport surveillance sought

The New Jersey Transportation Department is exploring options for a surveillance system to be used at 46 public airports in the state. The system is to serve as a deterrent and help investigate security violations. The state wants to look at security strategies, equipment options, wireless solutions and surveillance equipment and techniques, particularly for low-light situations. The RFP is expected by year's end.