The notice invites interested vendors to attend a virtual forum, co-presented by the Department of General Services and the California Department of Technology, to discuss the draft GenAI contract language and GenAI Special Provisions.
Envision 2026 is the newly published three-year blueprint that will guide state technology policies, practices and procurement. State CIO Liana Bailey-Crimmins spells out six things to know about the plan.
The largest sum spent in certain categories of IT goods, $14,923,668, went to Crayon Software Experts LLC for software maintenance and support, and maintenance or support fees.
The CTIO will work in the Office of Digital Services and will be responsible for “communicating and implementing responsible statewide technology strategies, methodologies and solutions with over 125 departments, agencies, boards, commissions and councils, as well as local government and higher education,” the job posting says.
Recruitments are underway by the State Water Resources Control Board, the California High-Speed Rail Authority, the Office of Technology and Solutions Integration, and the California Department of Technology.
Those interested may register online for the Dec. 4 webinar. The agenda has not yet been published; Industry Insider — California will provide updates as details emerge.
The California Department of Technology has issued new guidance for server hardening standards and supported technology program agreements.
The Next-Gen 911 and 988 systems run by the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services are the focus of a recently published request for quotations for cybersecurity assessment services.
“There’s a lot of things we do here at the state to secure your data, but security is everybody’s responsibility,” says state Chief Information Security Officer Vitaliy Panych.
The positions include Azure administrator, IT specialist and test automation specialist.
“This project is a testament to California’s culture of innovation where government, private industry and community organizations come together to solve complex problems,” says Amy Tong, secretary of the California Government Operations Agency.
The California Department of Technology’s Office of Professional Development will accept applications until 5 p.m. Oct. 28 for the popular career training program for those working in the public sector.
Notable openings include deputy agency information security officer, geospatial engineer, and senior cybersecurity and fraud engineer.
Chan, who has been with the California State Lottery since 2021, will be serving as the assistant chief to the Department of Justice's California Justice Information Services.
“I am delighted the new and improved CA.gov website will be an information hub for current and future residents,” said state Chief Information Officer Liana Bailey-Crimmins. “Through CA.gov, we can deliver more services efficiently and with greater consideration of the needs of our communities.”
The controversial bill to establish comprehensive AI guardrails died by veto over the weekend on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk, but this won’t be the last attempt to set rules. Newsom has pledged to work with lawmakers to balance between regulation and innovation.
The leading voices in California's foray into generative AI shared their experiences so far, highlighting new opportunities for collaboration and the challenges that still need to be addressed.
The state has been identified as one of the top leaders in the IT space, tackling such complex issues as equitable connectivity, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.
The departments of Technology and Fish and Wildlife have published a request for proposals for a new system to replace decades-old tools for monitoring animal species.
“This innovative GenAI RFI2 process keeps California at the forefront of technology and AI advances that can help streamline state functions,” said the award from the National Association of State Procurement Officials.
State CIO Liana Bailey-Crimmins put out the call to industry representatives for creative solutions to some of the state's biggest challenges during comments at an industry forum Monday in Sacramento.
Proposed solutions and services should align with the five phases outlined in Cal-Secure, the state’s cybersecurity strategic plan.
Both virtual four-week programs are open to employees of state and local government in California. Registration has opened, and each course is limited to 20 participants.
Public officials and private stakeholders gathered in Natomas last week to celebrate the start of a more than 250-mile stretch of fiber-optic cable that will run from San Jose to Carson City, Nev.
The challenge-based Request for Innovative Ideas (RFI2) initiative has transformed state government procurement and helped deepen collaboration among departments, according to speakers at the California Government Innovation Summit.
It’s been roughly two weeks since the Employment Development Department released its call to vendors for a new case management system. Monday, the department held a two-hour walkthrough of what it expects from interested bidders.
Departments in state government are seeking candidates for an IT Manager I position as well as an IT strategic initiatives manager, a senior cybersecurity and fraud engineer, and a Project Delivery Group manager.
The state has signed another agreement with an AI industry leader, this time focusing on bolstering the state’s technology talent pipeline.
The departments are looking for candidates to help lead teams and work on a major modernization project, a broadband initiative and project oversight.
In addition, the California Department of Justice is recruiting for an IT project manager, and the California Department of Technology is seeking a senior enterprise architect.
The California Department of Technology is calling for proposals on an enhanced communications and technology solution for inmates in California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation facilities.
The California Air Resources Board is seeking a chief information officer for its Office of Information Services, while the California Department of Technology is looking for a project director to oversee high-priority initiatives.
Citing unnecessary work and redundancy, Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill that would have put new annual reporting mandates around the state’s Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative.
Earlier this week, the California Department of Technology released a request for quotations for a contractor to manage the state’s move to a next-generation 911 system.
The purchases by the California Department of Technology in the first three months of 2024 included database and data center support.
The California Department of Technology’s five largest buys of IT goods in the first quarter included tools, software and subscriptions.
The California Department of Technology has issued a new technology letter relating to generative AI directives, policies and guidelines.
The California Department of Technology has issued new guidance in a technology letter, directing agencies to assess employee training needs and use available CDT training resources before other options.
A new form is being introduced into the solicitation process that will require vendors to disclose the use of any generative AI technology, IT and procurement officials said in a Tuesday vendor forum.
The roles include zSystems Services manager, data manager, section chief and digital forensic investigator.
The event will cover the state’s generative AI procurement guidelines and offer vendors an opportunity to ask the burning questions they have about the new process.
“It is fitting that CDT and DOR go live in FI$Cal on the 10th anniversary of onboarding the first wave of departments to the system,” writes Michelle Moody, deputy director of FI$Cal’s Business Operation and Solutions Division.
“There’s so much happening at ODI, and I think we’re now at a point where we can start to really tell those stories, and I’m excited,” Lally told Industry Insider — California.
The Little Hoover Commission has been looking into artificial intelligence and its potential uses in state government since 2018.
The California departments of Technology and General Services held one of two annual vendor forums late last week. The online event was awash in upcoming opportunities and developing procurement policies.
“So now, we at CDT will have to go through the process of deciding, well, given the funding that we currently have, how will we best proceed?” said Mark Monroe, deputy director of California’s Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative.
The California Department of Technology and the Office of the Inspector General are seeking talented candidates for these and other tech positions.
Generative AI put government on its heels as officials tried to understand what it is and how to keep it from derailing the status quo. Now, a more proactive approach is taking hold, officials say.
The opportunities are in the California High-Speed Rail Authority, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, and the California Department of Technology.
The San Francisco-based consultancy said his “data-driven approach and expertise in brand development and demand generation will be instrumental in advancing HiPER Solutions’ mission of inspiring and enabling high-performance leaders.”
Senate bills 892 and 893, which would establish an AI risk management standard and a research hub, passed with unanimous support and were sent to the Assembly for consideration.
The Aug. 22 event in Sacramento will include government leaders’ forecasts on future initiatives impacting IT across the state, and it’s designed for sales and marketing leaders seeking to “turbocharge business strategies and validate sales and marketing activities.”
The June 6 forum will include an update from the Department of General Services including its procurement needs, as well as discussion of critical services, the Technology Stabilization Program and the Technology Modernization Program.
“This transformative process marks a departure from traditional infrastructure and opens the door to many benefits that will propel the system’s capabilities into the future,” says CalHR Chief Information Officer Enrique Parker.
From new contracting requirements around Internet service providers to cybersecurity metrics, this session has seen a lot of IT-related bills. Have any survived the journey thus far? Yes. Yes, they have.
Five vendors have been tapped to explore possible use cases for generative AI across several agencies and priority areas.
Held at the UC Berkeley Haas Business School, the hackathon hosted 206 on-site and remote participants who collaborated and prototyped solutions to enhance citizen engagement and harness digital innovation for better governance.
From new rules for AI to small-business contracting thresholds, this session has seen a lot of IT-related bills. Have any survived the journey thus far?
Thousands of miles worth of middle-mile broadband network infrastructure are on track — and even ahead of schedule — the California Department of Technology reports.
Ivy Teng Lei is the state’s first chief digital strategy officer; Renoir “Ren” Pope is the state’s chief enterprise architect; and CDT alum Chaeny Emanavin has returned to the department as the state’s deputy chief technology officer. All will report to state CTO Jonathan Porat.
The California Department of Technology and the Department of Health Care Services have issued requests for quotation and information, respectively.
Office of Data and Innovation CIO Chad Bratton is focused on enabling his team to push beyond the status quo in service of Californians.
“With the evolution of AI and other emerging technologies, it is more important than ever that our workforce remain nimble and prepared for cyber attacks,” said Crystal Holcomb, deputy director of the Office of Professional Development.
The positions are in the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, the Office of Data and Innovation, and the California Department of Technology.
The California Department of Social Services has a very full plate, with several major IT projects at various stages.
Kevin Lothar Petrik has been selected to lead the Department of Technology’s geographic information systems efforts. He brings experience from the public, private and nonprofit sectors.
With the state staring down the barrel of a multibillion-dollar deficit, lawmakers have been busy looking for solutions. Here’s a look at some of the changes for IT.
“Part of the AIO role is to support and partner with the other departments within the agency,” Robinette told Industry Insider — California. “I want to focus on the innovation part of it. There’s some super-capable CIOs within the agency.”
The Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative will host its advisory committee meeting Friday.
Emanavin, a seasoned government IT leader, has been tapped to serve as the California Department of Technology's deputy chief technology officer.
The California Highway Patrol is seeking a CTO, and the California Department of Technology is recruiting for a GISD data engineering architect.
The roles are cybersecurity compliance officer for the California State Transportation Agency and network security engineer for the California Department of Technology.
The funds, from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, will be used for affordable Internet service, state-of-the-art devices and digital literacy training. According to the California Department of Technology, “Now the state will pivot from planning to action.”
Thirty-three IT projects totaling more than $3.7 billion are being regularly evaluated by the California Department of Technology’s Office of Statewide Project Delivery. In this series we look at project successes and where they fall short.
Before her tenure with DHCS, Taylor served in various roles in the California Department of Technology, the State Franchise Tax Board and the Legislative Analyst’s Office.
Some of California’s most influential IT leaders — all women, it’s worth noting — shared their takes on what the public and private sectors can do to further diversify the technology workforce.
The California Department of Transportation has spelled out five “challenge” areas, plus a “wild card” category, for which it seeks proposals and solutions from tech vendors.
As part of Industry Insider — California’s ongoing efforts to inform readers about state and local agencies, their IT plans and initiatives, here’s the latest in our periodic series of interviews with IT leaders. Responses have been lightly edited.
Several bills could mean changes to how the state and vendors deploy and develop new tech. Here are just a few of them.
Agencies and their vendor partners now have a set of guidelines to follow when it comes to incidental and intentional generative AI procurements.
State CIO Liana Bailey-Crimmins shared California's IT progress on key initiatives and offered a look at the future during the California Public Sector CIO Academy Monday morning.
The State Water Resources Control Board aims to build a database that integrates a century of water rights records, geospatial mapping and up-to-date water diversion data that’s available to the public.
In a recent virtual Vendor Day, the California Department of Transportation laid out five “challenge” areas, plus a “wild card” category, for which it seeks proposals and solutions from tech vendors.
Monday’s event, presented by the California Department of General Services and the California Department of Technology, will be offered for in-person as well as virtual attendance.
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed funding for broadband infrastructure projects and programs faced pushback from the Legislative Analyst’s Office amid a looming budget deficit and the availability of federal funding.
Senate Bill 1179 would create new contracting requirements for state agencies and Internet service providers around affordable Internet service. Trade groups have voiced opposition to the proposal.
The Los Angeles IT Leadership Forum and the California Public Sector CIO Academy are both coming soon. Speakers at both events include the top names in public-sector technology governance and innovation, as well as industry representatives.
The online event on March 5 will pose five areas in which the California Department of Transportation is seeking vendors’ ideas, suggestions and proposals.
“Aligning with the governor’s multi-year cybersecurity roadmap, FI$Cal’s Cal-Secure initiative incorporates people, process and technology to employ cutting-edge solutions that will strengthen the department’s cybersecurity defenses,” writes FI$Cal Director Jennifer Maguire.
The legislation would set mandatory AI safety testing requirements before training or market release and would require that an internal fail-safe be included in all AI systems to trigger an immediate shutdown if issues are detected.
The California Department of Tax and Fee Administration plans to use generative artificial intelligence to advise its approximately 375 call center agents on state tax code. The AI will then inform what they pass on to California business owners asking for tax guidance.
With less than a week remaining to introduce new bills, state lawmakers continue to release proposed legislation scrutinizing artificial intelligence.
State and local technology leaders discuss their organizations’ work and offer best practices for migrating to the cloud.
The tool, called a Benefits Recommender, is among the state IT projects highlighted in the California Department of Technology’s annual report, Realizing the Success of Vision 2023. It was created by the Office of Data and Innovation, part of the California Government Operations Agency.
Facing a looming deadline to introduce proposed laws, state Assembly members and senators continue to release legislation that could impact IT companies and governments alike.
The annual report, published Thursday, offers metric-based summaries of the California Department of Technology’s work in cybersecurity, project delivery, procurement duration, workforce training, and data access and outcomes.
Two solicitations in generative artificial intelligence focus on improving the process of health-care facility inspections and expanding access to health and social services information for residents who speak limited English.
The California Department of Technology has spent more than $28 million so far this fiscal year through Leveraged Procurement Agreements, which allow departments to buy directly from suppliers through existing contracts and agreements.
The California Department of Food and Agriculture’s retiring agency information officer, Rob Peterson, says the position is a complex one that requires a blend of skills.
The California departments of Technology and Transportation have called for responses from vendors to a pre-solicitation for a data governance solution. An actual procurement, if one comes, isn’t expected until late summer.
“For me, it’s a chance to dive deeper into my passion for coaching and mentoring,” Patrick Dennis told Industry Insider — California. “I can’t wait to contribute to the dynamic team at Info-Tech.”
The Legislature is considering bills setting requirements around procurement contracts with Internet service providers, the use of facial recognition technology and electronic signatures, among others.
During the 12-week program, which is mostly remote, participants will also receive classroom instruction and will be paired with an experienced project manager. The program runs from April 29 through July 18.
The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services indicates it intends to seek proposals from bidders capable of providing it with a mobile dispatch system.
Three departments have collaborated on a third opportunity for vendors, seeking ideas for bringing generative artificial intelligence to bear on issues at a state tax entity.
The California Department of Technology had 13 software contracts worth $1 million or more in fiscal year 2023-24. In all, those awards were valued at $48,087,169.
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed 2024-2025 fiscal year state budget would slash the amount of money the California Department of Technology receives from the state General Fund but offers hope for three vital areas of tech spend.
The California Department of Parks and Recreation is recruiting for a chief information officer who will also serve as IT director, and the California Department of Technology is seeking a project director.
As public-sector technologists contemplate how best to use generative artificial intelligence and confront an estimated $68 billion state deficit, lawmakers have released several bills that would create infrastructure, plans and standards for the use of AI.
Three state departments are collaborating on the release of two opportunities for vendors, which seek ideas in applying generative artificial intelligence to solve challenges in the transportation network.
The California Department of Food and Agriculture wants to hear from IT companies to better inform any future procurement.
Dodd’s bill comes as California lawmakers returned to work in Sacramento for the start of an election-year session dominated not only by AI uses and concerns but also by the state’s significant well of budgetary red ink, an estimated $68 billion.
The exact timing isn’t set, but the California Department of General Services expects to release five Request for Innovative Ideas (RFI2) opportunities this month that would focus on needs at three state entities.
Chock-a-block with procurements, IT executives joining and leaving state and local government, and everyone greatly abuzz about artificial intelligence, 2023 was a year to remember in California gov tech. These were its most significant issues.
The California Department of Technology’s five largest transactions for IT goods in November topped $5 million and included products related to modernization and security.
As state and local IT leaders told Industry Insider in its regular One-on-One interview series, they’re continuing to move to the cloud and harden surfaces against bad actors — while taking important steps in AI and in closing the digital divide.
The openings are for project controller overseeing the unemployment department’s EDDNext initiative and for a digital solutions architect to work in the California Department of Technology’s Office of Digital Services.
“I am thrilled to join HiPER, a company that uniquely aligns with my expertise in project management, procurement and governance,” Russ Nichols told Industry Insider — California. “In today’s landscape of budget constraints and soaring expectations, the synergy between my skill set and HiPER’s tools is paramount.”
On behalf of the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery, the California Department of Technology seeks a system based in the cloud that can integrate a variety of existing program area apps.
In light of anticipated deficits in the state budget over the next two years, the California Department of Technology is among entities that are looking for ways to economize without affecting their mission.
The event Friday morning will explain how residents and stakeholders may submit comments on the plan, which allows the state to apply for federal funding to expand Internet service.
The positions are in the California Secretary of State’s Office and the California Department of Technology, respectively. Application deadlines for both roles are this month.
In addition to comments from department leaders, previous end-of-year forums have included a year in review and a look ahead to the coming year, followed by a question-and-answer session for those in the industry.
State departments focused on health care, technology, transportation and fire management are recruiting for these key positions.
Funding for technology work in the 2023-2024 fiscal year state budget may offer clues to requests from state entities during the FY 2024-25 state budget cycle.
A new examination of generative artificial intelligence identified significant areas of potential risk in the state use of such tools.
How might California government make use of generative artificial intelligence? Officials suggest several ways that could happen.
In addition to the California Department of Technology, state entities dealing with public-sector retirement, justice and taxes are seeking candidates for key positions in technology.
Approved technology funding in the state’s enacted 2023-2024 fiscal year budget may offer a preview of what we’ll see in January, when Gov. Gavin Newsom releases his proposed FY 2024-25 state budget.
Using a Request for Innovative Ideas, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s tech-focused strategy, the California Department of Technology challenges innovators and entrepreneurs to suggest potential solutions for the state’s high-speed Internet network.
The California Department of Technology and the Department of General Services will hold the event Dec. 14. Several top IT and procurement executives from state government will speak.
The purchases in October totaled $4,341,927 and included primarily licenses and subscriptions for cybersecurity, Microsoft Office tools and an open data portal.
The Employment Development Department paid $30 million in the third quarter of 2023 to the California Department of Technology for data center services. Many agencies and departments in California pay CDT for this through interagency agreements.
Agency Information Officer Rob Peterson of the California Department of Food and Agriculture has served in key leadership roles in the U.S. Air Force, the Defense Department and California state government, as well as in the private sector.
The California Department of Technology is seeking candidates for the newly created role of chief digital strategy officer, and the California Health and Human Services Agency is recruiting for a chief deputy director who will also serve as the agency’s deputy chief data officer.
The California State Payroll System Project is a long-delayed initiative to modernize state government’s payroll process. The State Controller’s Office is seeking an experienced executive to oversee its many elements.
The California Department of Pesticide Regulation wants to hear from vendors who have information, suggestions, best practices and cost estimates for the technical resources needed to configure, deploy and maintain such a system.
Duties of the position, according to the California Department of Technology, include “developing effective strategies for engaging CDT stakeholders, including customers, advocates, lobbyists, vendors, state and local information officers, and other government officials.”
Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed several bills of interest to those in the technology sector, tightening oversight of high-risk automated decision systems and authorizing a pilot of automated cameras targeting speeders in six cities.
This week’s event will feature leading technology executives from California state and local government and education, as well as industry representatives.
Candidates for chief and manager positions are being sought by state entities that focus on health care, transportation and technology.
A dashboard presented by the California Department of General Services shows in detail how various departments in state government buy goods and services under leveraged procurement agreements.
The California Department of Technology spent almost $18 million on its five largest buys of IT goods in September — more than twice the amount spent on corresponding purchases in August.
The Oct. 12 event will feature leading technology executives from California state and local government and education, as well as industry representatives.
Three state government departments — Technology, Child Support Services and Public Health — are recruiting for these key technology leadership positions.
The California Department of Technology’s Office of Technology Services and the California State Transportation Agency’s Office of Traffic Safety are seeking deputy directors.
ITLA is the flagship career development program that the California Department of Technology offers to state and local government technologists.
The California Department of Technology is seeking a specialist to work on the state Information Security Program Audit team. CDT has been faulted by the California State Auditor for its oversight of state agencies’ information security protections.
Panelists at the California Government Innovation Summit explained how the state is working to streamline and simplify its online services in various ways, including making its websites easier to navigate and using plain, simple language in government documents.
Recruitments are being conducted by the Employment Development Department, the California Department of Technology, the California Highway Patrol, the Department of Child Support Services and the California Public Employees’ Retirement System.
Upcoming Events
With calendar 2024 coming to a close, it’s a natural time to reflect on the cybersecurity mandates, policies, and strategies that have shaped the last few years in government. One of the most impactful strategies has been Zero Trust.
As cybersecurity threats become increasingly sophisticated, government agencies at all levels are facing a difficult task of securing their networks. Just look at these facts about ransomware attacks on state and local government:
