Amendment ID: S2790-98-R1

Redraft Amendment 98

UI Online procurement

Ms. Jehlen, Messrs. Moore and Lesser, Ms. Rausch and Mr. Welch move that the proposed new text be amended , in section 2, by striking  out item 1790-3009, and inserting in place thereof the following item:- 

“1790-3009 For costs associated with planning and studies, the preparation of plans and specifications, purchase, procurement, acquisition, licensing and implementation of information technology, telecommunications and data-security-related equipment, hardware, software, systems, intellectual property and related projects for various state agencies of the commonwealth including, but not limited to, executing strategic initiatives, improving business intelligence and modernizing governmental functions; provided, that funds may be expended for costs associated with the development, implementation and deployment of an online delivery system for unemployment insurance compensation benefits including, but not limited to, the awarding of contracts to consultants; provided further, that prior to the selection of consultants and prior to and during the development, implementation and deployment of the online delivery system, the secretary of labor and workforce development and the consultants after so chosen shall consult with an advisory council of the state workforce development board established in section 7 of chapter 23H of the General Laws; provided further, that the advisory council shall focus and provide feedback on the unemployment online delivery system including alternate methods of access for individuals with barriers to online systems; provided further, that the advisory council shall consist of: 1 member appointed by the Massachusetts State Labor Council, AFL-CIO; 2 members appointed by the Associated Industries of Massachusetts, Inc., 1 of whom shall represent small business; 2 members appointed by the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation representing unemployed workers in diverse geographical areas of the state; 1 member appointed by the Disability Law Center, Inc.; 1 member appointed by the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition from a community-based organization that serves unemployed workers with limited English proficiency; and 1 member appointed by the Union of Minority Neighborhoods, Inc.; provided further, that the advisory council shall solicit input on the criteria utilized for the selection of the bid evaluation from low-wage unemployed workers, people with disabilities who use assistive technology, community-based organizations that advocate for people with limited English proficiency, people of color, recipients of unemployment benefits and individuals with technological expertise in systems designed to maximize user accessibility and inclusiveness; provided further, that the advisory council shall submit input to the secretary on the criteria to be utilized for the selection of the bid evaluation; provided further, that the secretary and the advisory council shall meet quarterly; provided further, that the secretary shall submit quarterly reports on the progress of the development, implementation and deployment of an online delivery system for unemployment compensation benefits to the clerks of the house of representatives and the senate; provided further, that the last quarterly report of 2021 shall include a plan for the deployment of the online system and an update on the progress of the development of the online delivery system, including a demonstration of the design and access to the online system and alternate methods of access for individuals with barriers to access; provided further, that the design shall comply with federal and state requirements for unemployment delivery systems and standards for digital accessibility, including the most recent version of web accessibility standards; provided further, that not later than 90 days of the submission of the development plan, the secretary shall hold a public hearing and solicit testimony on the plan; provided further, that not later than 120 days before the online delivery system becomes available for public use, the secretary shall submit a final report on the development of the system to the clerks of the house and senate that shall include a summary of testimony received through the public hearing and a description of actions taken as a result of testimony received; provided further, that after consultation with the advisory council, the final report shall also set forth a process for user acceptance testing and for soliciting, accepting and resolving stakeholder feedback for continual improvement, including a public service announcement plan to keep all stakeholders informed about access and changes to the online delivery system; provided further, that for projects the secretary of administration and finance certifies to the comptroller directly or indirectly generate state revenue or budgetary savings, the comptroller shall transfer such revenue or budgetary savings to the state treasurer for payment of debt service related to those projects; and provided further, that any federal reimbursement received by a state agency in connection with projects funded from this item may be retained by the state agency or the executive office of technology services and security and expended for the purposes of the project, without further appropriation, in addition to the amounts appropriated in this item………………….…………….................$165,000,000”.