Connecticut takes first steps in 'all-digital government' initiative

Published: April 10, 2019

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Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont announced proposals to streamline redundant processes and digitize more services.

On April 4, 2019, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont announced several new initiatives aimed at reducing redundancies in the state’s procurement processes and making government services increasingly digitized. Governor Lamont, along with Connecticut Department of Administrative Services Commissioner Josh Geballe, sees these proposals as a step to reduce bureaucracy, streamline processes, and ultimately simplify working with the state.

One specific component is a new House Bill, 7385, in the General Assembly, seeking to simplify the process of doing business with the state. Currently, all businesses wishing to do business with the state must fill out at least 7 forms, but if the bill is passed, that number will be reduced to 1, eliminating unnecessary forms and paperwork while still maintaining standards of fair and ethical contracting.

The Governor also introduced a point that could potentially modernize the state’s e-sourcing system with an updated platform providing easier access to bid and expanding the state’s purchasing pool. The state will also consider centralizing and consolidating purchasing of enterprise systems and software. As an example, at present every state agency buys its own Microsoft licenses, resulting in higher costs. One final potential change that could affect procurement is that Connecticut will seek to align its small business definitions with those of the federal government, in an effort to simplify and make more efficient the process of conducting business with the state.

Given Governor Lamont’s background in both business and technology, it is not entirely surprising that he is pushing these initiatives to improve the state’s business environment. Vendors interested in doing business with the state of Connecticut may find it beneficial to watch for any new developments on this front, as there could be several changes in store to state procurement processes.

Source: StateScoop