Texas Health and Human Services Commission Selects Accenture to Help Improve Citizen Access to Services.

AUSTIN, Texas -- The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has awarded a five-year contract to Accenture (NYSE: ACN) to help improve the way Texans apply for social services such as Medicaid and food stamps. The contract has an estimated value of approximately $840 million.

Accenture will lead a group of companies known as the Texas ACCESS Alliance to deliver technology and business operations services in support of the state's modernization plans. HHSC's plan will allow Texans to apply for Medicaid, food stamps, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and other programs in person, through the Internet, over the phone and by fax or mail, providing anytime, anywhere access.

These applications currently must be made in person at a state office during business hours, which can create barriers for people with conflicting work hours, family care requirements, or transportation challenges. The new model will continue to offer in person access through state offices, supplemented by self-service access using mail, phone and the Internet.

The Texas ACCESS Alliance was formed by Accenture to meet HHSC's skill and experience requirements in the areas of technology, health and human services business processes, and efficient operational management. Members of the ACCESS Alliance bidding team include: Accenture (prime contractor); MAXIMUS (NYSE: MMS) (health and human services business process provider); First Data Government Solutions (quality control); Dell (hardware); SBC (telephony services); Image API (document management); and a number of Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUBs) including Business Ink (printing); ACP (customer care center); Commonwealth Capital and Leasing (equipment); TEICC (equipment); MicroAssist (training); MRSW (network support); DCS (staffing); and Hire Productivity (staffing).

ACCESS Alliance members are major employers in Texas, with over 55,000 employees in the State. The ACCESS Alliance's work for HHSC will include the operation of 3 Texas-based Customer Care Centers and a Texas-based Shared Service Center that will employ over 2500 Texans. All ACCESS Alliance work for HHSC will be performed in Texas.

"This program is critically important to helping thousands of eligible Texans receive the assistance they need and we take our role as the prime contractor on this high performance government program very seriously," said Doug Doerr, lead partner for Accenture's Government practice in Texas. "Every member of the Texas ACCESS Alliance looks forward to assisting HHSC with providing citizens greater choice and enhanced options for finding services and benefits, while promoting accountability and responsibility for results to the State."

Accenture has been providing services to Texas government for more than 25 years. Accenture has helped 17 different government and education organizations in Texas turn their ideas into reality over the years, creating solutions that have helped government maximize the use of Texans' taxpayer dollars and increase the level of service provided to citizens. In addition, Accenture has served some of Texas' most respected private-sector businesses that employ tens of thousands in the state.

About Accenture

Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company. Committed to delivering innovation, Accenture collaborates with its clients to help them become high-performance businesses and governments. With deep industry and business process expertise, broad global resources and a proven track record, Accenture can mobilize the right people, skills and technologies to help clients improve their performance. With more than 110,000 people in 48 countries, the company generated net revenues of US $13.67 billion for the fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2004. Its home page is www.accenture.com.