New York State Makes Unprecedented Award for Enterprise IT Staff Augmentation Services

ALBANY, NY (01/28/2010)(readMedia)-- The New York State Chief Information Officer and Office for Technology (CIO/OFT) announced a tentative contract award to Tapfin Process Solutions (TAPFIN), a wholly owned subsidiary of COMSYS, to manage a network of subcontractor staff augmentation providers to deliver IT consulting services for staff augmentation to New York State Agencies.

The criteria used by a multi-agency evaluation team to select the successful bidder was established prior to the receipt of proposals and was used to determine the proposal representing the best value for New York State taxpayers. Following an in-depth evaluation and review process, TAPFIN was selected as the successful bidder.

"After an extensive review and analysis, TAPFIN was determined to have the best value for New York State. I want to thank everyone involved in the evaluation process for their diligence during this complex technology service procurement," said Dr. Melodie Mayberry-Stewart. "The contract is expected to generate millions in savings statewide by aggregating IT staff augmentation consulting services and eliminating redundant efforts expended by state agencies."

'TAPFIN offers a proven and comprehensive MSP solution that drives process improvement and cost savings for clients," said Kip Wright, president of TAPFIN Process Solutions. "As the longest tenured provider of MSP solutions in the state government sector, TAPFIN understands the value that small, minority and woman-owned businesses can bring to the State. We look forward to working with the State of New York and its supplier community companies to deploy and operate a best-in-class MSP program.'

In September, CIO/OFT issued an RFP to procure IT staff augmentation services for New York State. Successful implementation of the contract will require TAPFIN to conduct significant outreach to small and New York State certified minority and women owned business enterprises (MWBEs), as well as firms currently providing IT staff augmentation services to the State.

To meet the requirements of the RFP's MWBE goals, TAPFIN has committed to utilize at least 24 percent of New York certified minority and women owned businesses as subcontractors. TAPFIN's proposed subcontractor network listing contains 29 certified MWBE firms. In addition, TAPFIN has contacted more than 100 certified MWBE firms regarding participating in their subcontractor network. Currently, TAPFIN has formal commitments from more than 600 subcontractors located in New York State.

Following this award announcement, CIO/OFT will begin contract negotiations with TAPFIN. The resulting proposed contract, with a minimum term of three years, must be approved by the Offices of the Attorney General and State Comptroller before it is finally executed. CIO/OFT may extend the contract for a two year extension and an additional one year term, for a maximum term of six years.

Together with legislation to in-source up to 500 information technology consultants proposed by Governor Paterson and recently enacted by the Legislature, statewide spending on consultants will be substantially reduced.

About CIO/OFT

The State Chief Information Officer and Office for Technology (CIO/OFT) provide statewide IT strategic direction, IT policy and centralized IT services to the state and its governmental entities. CIO/OFT provides IT enterprise services to support the missions of state agencies by operating four mainframe data centers 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, including more than 90,000 telecom users, 50 statewide mission-critical applications, a secure network of over 1,600 miles of fiber, including IT operations, telecommunications, Internet and Intranet services, enterprise email systems and support, IT training, networking, data storage and processing. In addition, the agency has a world renowned project management practice, operates a first class technology academy for NY government entities and e-learning program for groups, operates a 24/7 customer care center, develops and supports web applications and assists with application development. For more information, visit http://www.cio.ny.gov.

About TAPFIN Process Solutions

TAPFIN Process Solutions (TAPFIN) is a wholly owned subsidiary of COMSYS, a publicly traded company (NASDAQ:CITP) incorporated in 1972. TAPFIN has been providing contingent workforce management solutions since 1999. TAPFIN has both public and private sector clients, including the States of South Carolina, Georgia, Wisconsin, and sixteen Fortune 500 companies.