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California Vendor Performance Ranking Pilot Will Launch in 2016

The California Department of Technology on Thursday morning officially launched a pilot program to rate IT vendors to increase performance and accountability in state technology projects.

The California Department of Technology (CDT) on Thursday morning launched a pilot program to rate IT vendors to increase performance and accountability in state technology projects.   

Announced on Dec. 1
at the State of Technology Industry Forum hosted by TechWire, the new pilot will start in 2016 with some specified new procurements. The Contractor Performance Evaluation Scorecard will measure five key performance indicators (KPIs), included in language of RFPs and signed contracts. Overall ratings will look at scope, schedule, quality and timeliness.

“The idea will be once we get your feedback, then we’re going to go out and test drive it, we’re going to pilot it and probably make some more adjustments, and then start using it on a pretty regular basis moving forward,” CDT Director Carlos Ramos said on Dec. 1.

Jim Butler, chief procurement officer with the Department of General Services, said the state will address industry concerns as the process progresses. 

Officials on Thursday said the system would include an appeals process. Ratings, performed throughout the year, will be published and stay on the books for 36 months. 

The state announced details of the pilot at a public forum held in West Sacramento at the Department of General Services.

California has been working on developing a rating system for more than a year, including hosting two public forums and private meetings with a small working group that included state officials and industry representatives. 

In October, Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed Assembly Bill 522 that would have required the CDT to create a performance scoring system. In his veto message, Brown said the state was already working on the issue. The technology industry opposed the bill saying it "lacked clarity."

This story was originally published by TechWire. Government Technology Staff Writer Eyragon Eidam contributed to this report.