TECHNICAL PANEL
Nebraska Information Technology Commission
Wednesday, November 21, 2007, 9:00 a.m.
Varner Hall - Board Room
3835 Holdrege St., Lincoln, Nebraska
MINUTES
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Brenda Decker, CIO, State of Nebraska
Kirk Langer, Technology Director, Lincoln Public Schools
Walter Weir, CIO, University of Nebraska
Mike Winkle, Assistant GM, Nebraska Educational Telecommunications
ROLL CALL, MEETING NOTICE & OPEN MEETINGS ACT INFORMATION
Mr. Weir called the meeting to order at 9:04 a.m. Roll call was taken. There was a quorum present. The meeting notice was posted to the NITC Website and the Nebraska Public Meeting Calendar on October 4, 2007 (rescheduled on November 8). The meeting agenda posted to the NITC Website on November 19, 2007. A copy of the Nebraska Open Meeting Act was available in the room.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment.
APPROVAL OF SEPTEMBER MINUTES
Under the section titled "University of Nebraska (Student Information System)," in the sixth sentence the word consulting was misspelled.
Mr. Winkle moved to approve the September 11, 2007 minutes as corrected. Ms. Decker seconded. Roll call vote: Decker-Yes, Langer-Yes, Weir-Yes, and Winkle-Yes. Results: Yes-4 and No-0. Motion carried.
PROJECT REVIEWS - Ongoing Reviews (as needed)
Retirement Systems, Jerry Brown. A written report titled “PIONEER Transition Project, November 21, 2007” was distributed to members. Highlights of the report include:
- Robin Goracke, new Project Director, was present and was introduced.
- The equipment for development and user acceptance testing has been installed and configured for use.
- Office space in the Atrium is being occupied by the project team.
- The QA Charter has been signed by the University.
- The project is approximately 2 weeks behind schedule, primarily due to preparation time devoted to Columbus Ohio and off-shore staff orientation. It is anticipated to gain back lost time during the Phase II Requirement Validation process.
- Requirements Validation for the financial and employer reporting functions (Phase I) has been completed. User acceptance testing will begin the week of December 5th.
- Phase II planning has begun which includes all remaining online processing that PIONEER performs, plus new requirements, such as Retirement Seminar Tracking. The Phase II Requirements Validation sessions will begin the week of December 19th.
- The project has been working with the OCIO staff to estimate the cost to host the hardware.
- The project was informed last week that 93% of Saber was sold to EDS. Saber did not anticipate any changes that would impact our project.
Health and Human Services (MMIS and LIMS). HHS will have a report at the next meeting.
PROJECT REVIEWS - GOVERNMENT TECHNOLOGY COLLABORATION FUND GRANT APPLICATION - SECURITY ARCHITECTURE WORK GROUP – VULNERABILITY THREAT MANAGEMENT
Steve Hartman, Security Officer, Office of the CIO
The State Government Council recommended approval of the project at their meeting yesterday.
The Security Architecture Work Group is requesting a $75,000 grant from the Government Technology Collaboration Fund to purchase a vulnerability assessment tool for the state. In the past, these grant funds have been used to hire outside entities to perform similar vulnerability testing, which was limited to a specific point in time. The work group wants to purchase a tool which will allow for ongoing and as needed testing. The Office of the CIO has released an RFP for this purpose. Bid openings will occur in December. The Intent to Award is scheduled for January 31 with implementation to begin by February. The RFP states that project is contingent upon funding from the Government Technology Collaboration Fund.
Logical partitions can be created so that agency can see their own scans and run adhoc reports. The Office of the CIO will be taking the lead role working with agencies.
Mr. Langer moved to recommend approval of the grant application for the Vulnerability Threat Management project. Mr. Winkle seconded. Roll call vote: Decker-Abstain, Langer-Yes, Weir-Yes, and Winkle-Yes. Results: Yes-3, No-0, Abstained-1. Motion carried.
PROJECT REVIEWS - PROJECT PROPOSALS FOR FY2008 DEFICIT BUDGET REQUESTS, RECOMMENDATION TO THE NITC*
Nebraska State College System - Student Information Administrative System (Summary Sheet)
University of Nebraska - Student Information System (Summary Sheet)
The Education Council voted to recommend that the projects be designated as a Tier 1 Priority (mission critical for the agency) because of discontinuation of support of the existing student information systems. The Education Council also added remarks:
- To the extent possible, both the State College System and the University of Nebraska must synchronize their RFP processes and co-evaluate vendors.
- To require an analysis of cost-savings and an analysis of ‘effect on students’ for two pathways:
- Centralization and cooperative hosting of Projects 50-01 and 51-01
- Adoption of a single vendor for Projects 50-01 and 51-01
- To require a unified look at adopting the same vendor by both the State College System and the University of Nebraska; and if not the same result, to provide a justification for divergence.
Mr. Weir indicated that he and Mr. Hoffman are meeting on Monday to continue discussions of partnering and collaboration. They are not convinced collaboration can occur at all phases especially with implementation due to the differences between the University of Nebraska and the State College System. Both institutions are in different stages of the process. The University of Nebraska has hired a consultant to assess their needs and requirements. It is anticipated that to release an RFP in January. The State College System has already released an RFP and in the process of evaluating vendors.
After discussion, the Technical Panel agreed to take action and make recommendations on both projects simultaneously:
Are the projects technically feasible?
Ms. Decker moved that the following comment be included in both projects: "Yes, the Student Information System is technically feasible and the need articulated in the proposal is valid." Mr. Winkle seconded. Roll call vote: Roll call vote: Decker-Yes, Langer-Yes, Weir-Abstain, and Winkle-Yes. Results: Yes-3, No-0, Abstained-1. Motion carried.
Is the proposed technology is appropriate for the project?
Mr. Winkle moved that the following answer be submitted for both projects: "Unknown until the agency completes the RFP process." Ms. Decker seconded. Roll call vote: Winkle-Yes, Decker-Yes, Langer-Yes, and Weir-Abstain. Results: Yes-3, No-0, Abstained-1. Motion carried.
Can the technical elements can be accomplished within the proposed timeframe and budget?
Ms. Decker moved that the following answer be submitted for both projects: "Unknown until the agency completes the RFP process." Mr. Winkle seconded. Roll call vote: Langer-Yes, Weir-Abstain, Winkle-Yes, and Decker-Yes. Results: Yes-3, No-0, Abstained-1. Motion carried.
Ms. Decker moved that the following Additional Comments be submitted for both projects: "The Technical Panel recommends that the State College System and University provide regular updates on these projects to the Panel," and "The Technical Panel recommends that the State College System and University explore the possibility of including the Department of Education in any discussions involving K-20 education in relation to these projects." Mr. Winkle seconded. Roll call vote: Decker-Yes, Langer-Yes, Weir-Abstain, and Winkle-Yes. Results: Yes-3, No-0, Abstained-1. Motion carried.
STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES
Mr. Becker provided an update on the changes to the Standards and Guidelines website, including changes listed in the handout. He also discussed the new documents that are being prepared for upcoming meetings.
REGULAR INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND WORK GROUP UPDATES (AS NEEDED)
Accessibility of Information Technology Work Group, Christy Horn. No report .
Learning Management System Standards Work Group, Kirk Langer. No report.
Security Architecture Work Group, Steve Hartman. The work group will have a revised standard that will be present at the next Technical Panel meeting.
ELECTION - TECHNICAL PANEL CHAIR FOR 2008*
Ms. Decker nominated Walter Weir to serve as Chair of the Technical Panel. Mr. Langer seconded. There were no other nominees. Roll call vote: Winkle-Yes, Decker-Yes, Langer-Yes, and Weir-Abstain. Results: Yes-3, No-0, Abstained-1. Motion carried.
OTHER BUSINESS
Ms. Decker reported that the NITC's Performance Audit hearing was yesterday. Members discussed the audit report.
NEXT MEETING DATE AND ADJOURNMENT
The next meeting of the NTIC Technical Panel is scheduled for Tuesday, January 8, 2008 at 9:00 a.m.
Ms. Decker moved to adjourn. Mr. Winkle seconded. All were in favor. Motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:35 a.m.
Meeting minutes were taken by Lori Lopez Urdiales and reviewed by Rick Becker of the Office of the CIO and NITC.