Date: 03/15/2006
Final
Presentation Department of Human Services
SENATE COMMITTEE ON -- SELECT -- GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY
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12:07 PM -- Briefing from the Colorado Department of Human Services on CBMS
Marva Livingston-Hammons, Executive Director, Department of Human Services, introduced herself and began her presentation to the committee regarding the Colorado Benefits Management System (CBMS). She indicated that sufficient study has not been done to determine whether the implementation of CBMS has resulted in cost savings to the state. The department is trying to track expenditures for CBMS to develop some of this data. She discussed lessons learned in the implementation of a major statewide database program like CBMS. She indicated that a Request for Information (RFI) might have allowed some preliminary investigation of what the needs of the state and the departments were prior to undertaking a major procurement. Additionally, she suggested that, rather than scaling a project down due to lack of funds, the project either be fully funded or postponed until appropriate funds are available. She noted her belief that having "experts" available for consultation to the state for large projects to help address questions, assess expectations, and follow the progress of a project could help to ensure that the state is less likely to have projects that do not meet expectations. Ms. Hammons proposed that future contracts state the point at which a project would be abandoned prior to undertaking a project, to ensure that all parties are aware of expectations.
12:17 PM
Senator Groff asked whether the department has included any of the suggestions Ms. Hammons has proposed in it's contracting system. He also asked about monitoring large projects. Senator Teck asked if the committee could have written copies of Ms. Hammons' suggestions. She agreed to provide these. Senator Teck asked whether there are other systems in the department that may need to be updated.
12:21 PM
Ron Huston, Department of Human Services, came to the table to respond to Senator Teck's questions. He indicated that there is at least one system that would need updating.
12:23 PM
Senator Groff asked how much it would cost the state to bring in a consultant to evaluate and oversee large projects as Ms. Hammons suggested. She indicated she had not thought about what the appropriate amount would be. Senator Hanna indicated that Senator Teck's bill creating a panel of technology experts that is responsible for oversight of all technology projects might provide the kind of oversight Ms. Hammons was proposing. Committee discussion ensued regarding the value of having a contract negotiator to ensure that the state is negotiating successful contracts.