In order to have successful human services IT procurements, vendors and clients should take the time to establish a true partnership. Once there is a mutual understanding between vendors and their clients it is easier to reconcile any problems that may rise.

On May 1 to May 3, 2008, the American Bar Association (ABA) held the 3rd Annual State and Local Procurement Symposium regarding ground-breaking issues in state and local procurement throughout the United States. The speakers included attorneys, department leadership, and IT vendors who shared their perspective of human services IT procurements. While there was much discussion regarding the conflicts between state government and vendors, the speakers concluded that there are seven keys to having successful human services IT procurements.

These keys include:

• Communicating a clear vision with well defined goals for the project
• Creating quality RFPs in both content and process
• Establishing a solid contract
• Ensuring that the laws are applicable
• Understanding stakeholder involvement and management
• Establishing strong project governance
• Creating a true partnership between the state and the vendor

Though the speakers had different views and opinions of the procurement process, each concluded that the most important element in having successful human services IT procurements is true partnership between the state and the vendor. In addition, vendors must understand and work within the government environment. Many entities have workers who may have been working on the legacy systems for twenty years. Therefore, it is important to build relationships as the process of preparing and implementing the new systems begins. The same is true for the state. The state must understand the pressures of other entities on the vendors. The state cannot complete the projects without the vendors; therefore, it is essential that the vendors have their full support during the project.

If the state and vendors form a relationship, it is easier to deal with other areas that may be lacking. On the other hand, if a relationship is not established it will be difficult to resolve any issues that may rise.

Gain more insight into the hottest state and local RFPs for 2008 at INPUT's 3rd Annual State & Local MarketView event on June 4, 2008 in Tysons Corner.