FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Executive Backgrounder
Date: May 2, 2002

Creation of EGov XPRESS Solutions Center Offers Knowledge-Sharing for All Levels of Agency Need
with the Federal Government

(Washington, DC)—The creation of the EGov XPRESS Solutions Center will offer knowledge-sharing,
best practices, infrastructure assessment and technology implementation for eGov initiatives
addressing all levels of agency need within the Federal Government. This center is a new
initiative of FirstGov to address the disparate and rising needs for eGovernment. This is a center
devoted to solutions-based problem-solving in line with marketplace demands. The king pins of this
center by FirstGov will lead through best practices and expert knowledge-sharing. By bringing
together the known information available on best practices throughout egovernment and by
capitalizing on knowledge-sharing for information technology implementation strategies, the focus
of technology-centric purchases will be “real-world.”

Agencies, departments and eGov initiatives often get confused because the implementation of their
mission follows a loosely-tracked, hands-off management approach, in order to involve the most
number of departments for input and fit budget cycles. Data synthesis and interdepartmental
cooperation will be greatly enhanced by the use of the EGov XPRESS Solutions Center which will
organize, prioritize and monetize past experience from all federal agencies involved. In addition,
traditional business modeling, work flow assessment, pilot projects, and standards adherence will
simplify modernization within the ranks, including appropriate uses of web-based technologies for
ecommerce, online scheduling, and relationship management. Project scope will be controlled
through proper planning in a formalized process under EGov XPRESS Solutions Center methodologies.
Proven-track records within the federal agencies will be acknowledged by best practices
announcements and dissemination. Final decisions will be determined not just as academic exercises
for political reasons or by following agenda-oriented thinking based on departmental edicts. The
process at EGov XPRESS Solutions Center will take into account the need for rationalization of
project goals and access to top-level appropriate expertise.
Cooperation among key agencies involved in electronic media with the Federal Government will play
a major role in this implementation. This will include the Federal Technology Service, and other
electronic government and information technology resources using the General Services
Administration.

The process approach for every initiative brought to EGov XPRESS Solutions Center will include:
reusable business principles from existing eGov models; mandated security measures,
interoperability and market-centric analysis. The steps will embrace the following:

* Solutions technical assistance
* Technology tools
* Independent validation and verification
* Systems integration
* Program management.

EGov XPRESS solutions provided will include a broad list of possible domain-oriented suggestions
such as the use of search engines; eGov analysis, portals, ecommerce, citizen relationship
management; web-based transactions, voice-recognition, scheduling, idea management, and web-based
community exchange.

The EGov XPRESS Solutions Center will offer a one-stop shop approach, allowing the agency to
choose its need level for support. Clients of the center can agree to implement subscription-based
software choices or seek high levels of customization and integration. Some agencies will only
need the research provided by the competitive intelligence gathering at the facility.

eGov mandates often require immediate action in a changing world of hardware, software, and
web-based environments, so EGov EXPRESS Solutions Center intends to show the path for
enterprise-wide solutions architecture and reference specific implementations as its champions in
key categories of service.

Most projects with eGov initiatives can be shifted and shaped by a review of culture within the
ranks, work flow discussions, vendor selection, and internal community management. A synergy with
other federal efforts regarding security and standards will remain an essential part of FirstGov’s
plan for this center.

The ability to support small agencies and move initiatives into action with true cost savings
figures heavily at FirstGov for 2002-2003. All services offered by EGov EXPRESS Solutions Center
will be based on customer surveys and JAD data collection.

The final result of this center will be a cohesive eGov system with multiple participatory
organizations using a hub and spoke system of referral for expertise.

Referrals and related pioneering support for this new center will come from GSA, the Fed CIO
Council, Fed Architects’ Council and other related entities in the months ahead.

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