Gov. Ben Cayetano announced that a Request for Proposal (RFP) is being issued for the design and operation of a master electronic commerce Internet portal contract to encompass all government services.

"This is a first big step toward putting state government online and becoming more efficient and productive," Cayetano said in a press release. "By establishing an electronic commerce Internet portal, state government services will be more accessible and convenient for small businesses and our citizens."

Cayetano said he envisions the master portal to expand and direct people to a host of state services provided by all departments, such as the Department of Health, the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, the Department of Land and Natural Resources and the Department of Taxation.

This new service is expected to be in operation within a year, according to Joseph Blanco, the governors special adviser for high technology development, who is overseeing the selection of a vendor, negotiating and signing of a contract.

For more information, contact Blanco at 808/586-0034 or blanco@gov.state.us. For a copy of the RFP, contact the directors office of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs at 808/586-2850.