Posted on 05/31/2002 11:44:30 PM PDT by ledzep75
Facing political scandal over a mismanaged state technology contract, California Gov. Gray Davis outlined an initiative on Friday aimed at overhauling the way officials make such high-tech purchases.
Davis, a Democrat running for re-election in November, tapped a top administration official to develop a proposal to improve oversight, procurement, management and operation of the state's information technology systems.
The initiative comes amid political controversy over a state deal with Oracle that an independent audit said was hustled through with little oversight, no competitive bidding and that could end up costing taxpayers $41 million for unneeded software.
The scandal, which has spurred Davis to oust three state officials, has focused attention on potential conflict-of-interest charges concerning other high-tech purchasing contracts agreed to by the Davis administration.
"I want contracting and procurement procedures of the highest integrity that provide maximum return on taxpayers' investments in information technology," Davis said in a statement.
The governor said Clark Kelso, the interim director of the Department of Information Technology, will head up the initiative and submit preliminary recommendations developed by a panel that includes lawmakers, state agency and private sector representatives.
Davis said the final proposal should clearly spell out who is responsible and accountable for procuring, managing and operating the state's information technology systems.
It must also include full opportunity for competition among vendors and contain a thorough analysis of whether any new system is needed, the governor said.
Story Copyright © 2002 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
#1 probably will happen. #2 might be only a dream.
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