During the last three years, several laws were enacted that require businesses to demonstrate their compliance with all regulations for doing business with the state of Hawaii and its counties. The laws create a fair but competitive environment for state and county contracts.
Hawaii Compliance Express uses the Internet to allow businesses to register online and acquire an electronic certificate proving compliance with all applicable Hawaii laws. Hawaii Compliance Express automatically updates this certificate and keeps it current as long as the business continues to comply with the applicable laws.
Before this online solution was introduced, businesses were required to fill out paper forms for three state agencies as well as the Internal Revenue Service. Vendors were also required to drive to state offices, hunt for parking, and then wait in long lines to obtain the proper certificates and clearances from the Department of Taxation, the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, and the IRS.
"Hawaii Compliance Express continues our efforts to bring transparency to the government procurement process," said Governor Lingle. "In addition, the new system makes it more convenient and cost efficient for businesses to interact with government."
"This service was originally created for businesses with contracts totaling more than $25,000, but any business can use the new system by simply filling out a single online form and paying a $15.00 annual fee," said Saito. "This new automated process should save business owners thousands of dollars in lost time spent away from their businesses."
When a business is deemed compliant by all agencies, a Certificate of Vendor Compliance is offered online for viewing and printing by both the business and government buyers. Hawaii Compliance Express automatically notifies each participating business via e-mail whenever its compliance status changes with any of the agencies.
Hawaii Compliance Express is a joint effort of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Department of Taxation, State Procurement Office, the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, and Internal Revenue Service.
