Accenture and MIT Seek Nominees for 2003 Digital Government Awards.

Business Editors

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 5, 2003

Fourth Annual Awards Program Showcases Government and

Higher-Education Programs That Deliver Innovative Services

Using the Internet

Accenture and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) School of Architecture and Planning are seeking nominees for the fourth annual Digital Government Awards, which honor outstanding achievements in using the Internet and other leading technologies to deliver innovative government services.

The Accenture and MIT Digital Government Awards will be presented in federal, state and local government categories for services -- government-to-citizen, government-to-business, and government-to-government -- delivered via the Internet. Awards also will be given in higher education and in recognition of the most innovative pilot or prototype program. The Agent of Change award will recognize an individual from federal, state or local government or from academia who has used creativity and taken the initiative to motivate others in the transformation of services.

"Once again, we plan to recognize the creativity, inspiration and enthusiasm of innovative leaders in digital government and higher education," said Stan Gutkowski, managing partner of Accenture's Federal Government practice. "We want to honor those cutting-edge leaders who launched new electronic services and programs to make it easier for citizens and businesses to interact with government and higher-education institutions this past year."

Government organizations, public corporations and higher education institutions in the United States are encouraged to visit www.digitalgovawards.org through March 27, 2003, to submit nominations for existing Web-enabled programs or services. Self-nominations are welcome. Individuals also are encouraged to visit the site to nominate an Agent of Change.

Nominations will be viewed and judged online by a panel of leaders in academia, government and other organizations. Awards for each category will be based on the degree of creative thinking and innovative use of Web-enabled technology to create or enhance service delivery; the extent to which the nomination successfully addresses a significant problem faced by the users or the organization; the level of transformation and demonstrated effectiveness; and the tangible results achieved in the delivery of the program or service. Award recipients will be recognized in June at the 2003 E-Gov Conference in Washington, D.C.

"In the Industrial Age, the most important aspect of property was location, location, location, but today, in the Information Age, the choice property is digital and the key ingredient is innovation, innovation, innovation," said Daniel Greenwood, director of the MIT eCommerce Architecture Program and lecturer for the MIT Media Lab and School of Architecture and Planning. "At MIT, innovation is prized in the classroom and in research, so we are pleased to once again team with Accenture on the Digital Government Awards to recognize technology innovation in the public sector."

Recipients of last year's awards included:

-- The U.S. Department of Defense for its program to reengineer the department's medical supply chain and improve technology to speed delivery of medical supplies while eliminating the need to stockpile inventories at military depots and treatment facilities.

-- The Kansas Department of Human Resources, which launched new unemployment insurance services on its Web site to provide claimants and employers with multiple customer-service channels.

-- The Montgomery County Maryland Department of Technology Services, which developed a multi-channel eGovernment program that enabled citizens, businesses and government agencies to obtain services from numerous government agencies through an Internet portal.

-- The University of Washington's Catalyst Initiative, which created an easily accessible information clearinghouse of technology-related tools and information for the university's educators.

-- The State of Rhode Island Department of Administration, which launched an electronic payment engine through the state's Web portal to enable online credit card transactions and was recognized in the prototype category.

-- Ron Thornburgh, Kansas Secretary of State, for introducing the Kansas Online Uniform Commercial Code filing system, which made the process of government filing faster and easier for businesses.

About Accenture

Accenture is the world's leading management consulting and technology services company. Committed to delivering innovation, Accenture collaborates with its clients to help them realize their visions and create tangible value. With deep industry expertise, broad global resources and proven experience in consulting and outsourcing, Accenture can mobilize the right people, skills, alliances and technologies. With more than 75,000 people in 47 countries, the company generated net revenues of $11.6 billion for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2002. Its home page is www.accenture.com.