Governor Sonny Perdue Forms Task Force to Review the Converged Communications Outsourcing Project

Atlanta - Governor Sonny Perdue announced today the formation of a special task force to review Georgia's Converged Communications Outsourcing Project (CCOP). The Governor's CCOP Task Force (Task Force) is charged with reviewing telecommunications policy in Georgia and identifying a manageable and sustainable approach to outsourcing the state's telecommunication needs for improved customer service by state agencies. The Task Force expects to deliver a written report to the Governor within 60 days.

"Faced with one remaining bidder, it is important for the state to step back and reassess our needs in information technology," said Governor Perdue. "In these tough financial times, we have an obligation to identify and implement the most cost-effective solutions for the people of Georgia."

Task Force To Gather Data, Make Recommendations

The Task Force was established to gather information needed to make the best decision concerning the future of Georgia's telecommunications infrastructure. Prior to the formation of the Task Force, Georgia was left with only one bidder on the State's largest ever contract. The contract has an estimated value of $1.8 billion over ten years and includes the takeover of Georgia's telecom operations and building a state-of-the-art communications network for state government offices and public school systems.

The Task Force will also analyze:

• Cost-effective alternatives for improving the delivery of telecommunication services consistent with the business needs of state government
• Cost-effective alternatives for providing distributive computing services and improving their administration
• Potential impact on economic development throughout the state
• Balancing the costs between urban and rural areas and the disparity of services between metro Atlanta and the rest of Georgia
• Enabling state and local government entities to stay current with telecommunication advances without additional capital outlay
• Budget implications, costs and savings

Governor's Task Force includes leaders from throughout Georgia

Dr. G. Wayne Clough, president of the Georgia Institute of Technology, will chair the Governor's CCOP Task Force. The other 14 members include:

• Dave Baker, Vice President - Law and Public Policy at Earthlink, Inc.
• Joe Bankoff, Partner - King and Spalding
• Roy Campbell, Former Mayor - Thomasville
• Steve Chaddick, Senior Vice President - CIENA Corporation
• Dick Cook, President & CEO - Mapics
• James Edenfield, President and CEO - American Software Inc.
• Bryant K. Isaacs, President Network Technologies - ARRIS
• James Lester, CIO - AFLAC
• Jeff Lukken, Mayor (LaGrange) and Owner - Lukken Chevrolet
• Tom Noonan, Chairman, President, and CEO - Internet Security Systems
• Todd Tibbetts, CFO - Tibs Group, Inc.
• James Tysinger, Retired Former Senator
• Joanne Walter, Vice President, Strategic Marketing - NCR Retail Division
• Hart Williford, CEO - Verisign Corporation