ASK, don't tell

	Michigan is developing a contract for later this year or early next year to build a knowledge sharing system called ASK, or Agencies Sharing Knowledge. The goal is to build a statewide data warehouse to include information from all agencies; where access is granted, data would be shared with others.

Del. needs substance abuse system

	The Delaware Health and Social Services Department's division of substance abuse and mental health is planning a solicitation for a clinical care information system. The RFP is expected in December or January.

Contractors seek to cap project liability

Contractors are trying to enlist state chief information officers in a campaign to get state governments to lift unlimited liability clauses from contracts.

Eye on the States: The post-election challenge: Linking IT to mission

Elections usually add an element of uncertainty and surprise to the state and local technology market. But unlike some years in which a lot of changes hang in the balance, this election year is producing a continuation of trends.

Jarrett takes NASCIO reins

As the ranks of the National Association of State Chief Information Officers swell with new members, Tom Jarrett's three years as Delaware's CIO make him a relative veteran. Now part of a core group in the organization, Jarrett last month was elected president of the Lexington, Ky., association for 2004-2005.

Opportunity Knocking: Contracts

The Ohio Department of Administrative Services wants to build a statewide network, to be called OH*1 Network, to replace the network built in 1996.

State & Local: In Brief

Newstrom resigns: Virginia Secretary of Technology George Newstrom resigned Oct. 1 after two and a half years of service.

Across the Digital Nation: Transportation ? Opportunities on the move

Buoyed by federal legislation plus technology refresh cycles and innovation, transportation agencies are at the forefront of significant technology change.

Ohio Medicaid Rx system sought

The Ohio Bureau of Health Plan Policy is expected to release an RFP in November for its Medicaid pharmacy point-of-sale system. New services to be added include claim processing, prior authorization online, standard and supplemental rebates, prescription drug list and education outreach.

Prison management system needed

The Kentucky Department of Corrections wants a new offender management system that will seamlessly integrate all facets of the department's operations, including data input and case management tools for institutional and community supervision of offenders.

N.Y. modernizing human services

	The New York Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance is consolidating its welfare management systems as part of a human services modernization.

N.M. needs better road data

	The New Mexico Transportation Department wants to replace applications that are part of its Consolidated Highway Database. A request for proposals is expected in December. The database serves as the state's roadway inventory system, which collects data for federally mandated reports and activities.

Va. eyes ambitious enterprise strategy

A new oversight board in Virginia is charting a course toward an enterprise approach to technology as it continues to assert its control over all technology planning for the state.

Eye on the states: Small businesses can thrive in this market

Most large technology firms focus like a laser on the biggest buyers in the state and local market. But for small companies, a similar marketing focus could result in missed selling opportunities.

Calif. voter registration system

California has issued a request for information for a statewide voter registration database system. At this stage, the state wants advice and analysis from industry to develop a feasibility study. The information will be used to develop alternatives and estimate costs of building the database.

Enterprise identity management

Pennsylvania is planning an enterprise identity management system to increase the security of its networks and computer systems.

Trauma collection system

The Mississippi Health Department wants to build a trauma data collection system. The contract will include all software, data conversion, installation, training, support and other services. The Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services is managing the procurement for the health department's Division of Emergency Medical Services. The RFP is expected in September 2005.

Clinical care information system

The Delaware Health and Social Services Department's Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health needs a clinical care information system. It will handle client and staff scheduling, generate work lists, process physician orders and integrate with existing systems.

State stands behind MyFlorida

Florida officials are assuring contractors that they do not intend to dismantle the MyFlorida Alliance outsourcing program, despite the abrupt cancellation of a major piece of that program last month.

Across the Digital Nation: Buying hardware has a new hue

Over the past three years, state and local governments have curbed spending on hardware and postponed large-scale hardware refresh initiatives. Although a tight fiscal environment fueled many of these moves, there also has been increasing agreement among public-sector chief information officers that hardware deployment across the jurisdiction needed to be reigned in.