The Commonwealth of Massachusetts recently released their Fiscal Year 2010 Capital Improvement Plan. Listed below are some of the projects to which the Plan allots money. INPUT has been tracking the progress of these projects as well. The Fiscal Year Capital Improvement Plan focuses on the State of Massachusetts' short run stability and long term growth. The current status of the MA state budget is $5.2 billion in deficit. Unfortunately, many states are also facing high deficits. Today states are reacting to economic challenges in different ways, and despite these huge deficits, these states are finding ways to execute large scale projects that will protect the entire state long term. For example, MA's CIP focuses on public infrastructure investment to create near-term job opportunities and support long-term economic growth in the state. Many projects like these, though they have big price tags, can be built and paid over time, making multi-year implementation ideal.

The Massachusetts State Police 800 MHz Radio Project, which was allotted $6.2 million calls for a multi-year implementation of the final component of the system to equip 2300 officers with voice radio communications in the Massachusetts Police Department. The project would provide statewide interoperability infrastructure for MEMA, corrections, the Fire Marshall's office, sheriff/county jail transportation, and other Public Safety Departments. The incumbent provider for this project is Motorola, contracted for communications equipment in 2009. To learn more about this opportunity, see INPUT's vertical profile .

MassCourts Statewide Court Case Management System was allotted $1.28 million in the Capital Improvement Plan. INPUT has been tracking this project since 2002. The incumbent for the project is Maximus, awarded a $13 million contract in 2003 for a court management solution. This new project will provide a statewide integrated case management system and will standardize case filing and document management services. The resulting system will be able to accommodate future interfaces and replace the legacy and interim applications currently in place. The finalized system plans to be a uniform statewide application. Please go here to continue to follow the Case Management System in Massachusetts.

The Massachusetts CIP allotted the Automated Licensing and Registration System $2.5 million to replace the existing Automated License and Renewal System (ALARS). INPUT has been tracking this opportunity since 2005. After 22 years, ALARS is no longer efficient. The modernized ALARS will use new technology with more flexibility to increase public safety. The new system will accommodate new products, processes and legislation. It will also offer additional channels, handle complex transactions, and was developed to be more customer-oriented. The Project, for the Registry of Motor Vehicles, is estimated to take 5 years to implement. Go to this Opportunity for more information.

The Mobile Data Terminal Replacement Project was given $1.5 million for the ongoing costs of purchase and instillation for Mobile Data terminals into new State Police vehicles. The incumbents on these projects were Hewlett-Packard Company for $19 million in 2003 and Haywood Associates, Inc. for $19 million in 2005. Please visit Opportunities 13300 and 5738 for the Mobile Data Terminals (tracked by INPUT since 2001) and hardware and installation services (tracked since 2004), respectively.

The MassTax Project was given $2,769,325 to continue the development of MassTax2, which will be a secure, user-friendly system that will integrate all tax administration functions. The goal of the system is to be able to meet increased production and user demands, as well as accept changes without the need for extensive redesign. INPUT has been tracking this opportunity since 2008, with Arthur Andersen as the last incumbent on the project, although MassTax has been in place since the 1980s. The Government estimates this project will be awarded in the first quarter of the 2010. Please visit this opportunity here to continue to follow the procurement.

These projects display a spending shift ideologically, due to the economic challenges that many States are facing. As states focus more on spending only what is absolutely necessary, a new fiscally responsible trend is formed. Careful and prioritized spending, as well as strategic long term planning will provide better budgetary responsibility and harsher decisions on what projects to pursue in the future. The projects in the Massachusetts CIP are not the first of their kind. Due to essential advanced technology, these projects are considered the necessities to keep State Programs and Departments functioning. Massachusetts' Capital Improvement Plan focuses on the systems that will most likely bolster economic recovery. The full five-year Capital Investment Plan by major investment category can be viewed here. Agencies, such as State and Local governments, tend to collaborate on how best to implement necessary projects, as a way to save money and time. Researching specifications for a system and implementing the results similarly in multiple locations solves the State and Local problem of disjointed and uncoordinated municipalities. Interoperability and smooth communication are the crux of these state projects. Whether it is a public safety system or a case filing and management system, the move toward interoperability and electronic services will allow for smoother and more efficient government utility.