RI Division of Motor Vehicles, vendor agree to continue computer development project
CRANSTON, R.I. – The Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles and project vendor DXC Technology (NYSE: DXC) (the company formed by the recent merger of Hewlett Packard Enterprise Services with CSC) today announced renewal of their joint commitment to complete development of a replacement for the state’s nearly 40-year-old motor vehicle registry computer system.
Following litigation begun in November 2016 over the contract that governs the state’s computer system development, as well as mediation sessions with Retired Chief Justice Frank Williams, the partners finalized an agreement this week on plans to complete and launch the system known as “RIMS.”
“This agreement clarifies and confirms DXC Technology’s commitment to delivering a fully functional system to replace the aging mainframe now in use by the Division of Motor Vehicles,” said Robert S. Hull, director of the Rhode Island Department of Revenue, which oversees the DMV. “This renewed commitment will ensure completion, testing and implementation of the Rhode Island Motor Vehicle System with a target launch date of July 5.”
Under the revised agreement, categorized as Amendment 6, DXC Technology will receive $5.5 million in additional funds beyond the previous contract, reflecting a greater base of work on the system and additional functionality than previously required. DXC Technology will also receive $1.5 million owed under the prior contract. Additional functionality provided by DXC Technology includes the migration of data from the legacy to the RIMS system, managing the training solution, helping finalize the critical computer interfaces with third parties, and providing a team of technology professionals through a 120-day stabilization period after the system is launched. The vendor will receive funds upon successful completion of User Acceptance Testing.
Marilyn Crouther, DXC Technology senior vice president and general manager for the U.S. Public Sector, said: “This agreement re-affirms our long-term commitment to the successful completion and launch of the computer system. We will continue to work alongside our partners at the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles to stand up a system we expect to be a model for other public-sector agencies.”
Despite the litigation begun in November, the planning, partnership and execution of development team members from the state and DXC Technology have never been better, a testament to the partners’ commitment to complete this project for Rhode Islanders. That focused work continued uninterrupted even during litigation and as vendor Hewlett Packard Enterprise Services transitioned into the new entity, DXC Technology Company, of Tysons, Va.
The joint development team had completed the core computer system and the roughly 70 interfaces after litigation began. Approximately 50 DXC Technology employees and other vendors collaborate daily with DMV employees to finalize the software code that will become the backbone of RIMS.
Team members are at work on the remaining tasks of User Acceptance Training, data migration and testing, and operations planning in advance of the July 5 “go-live” target. To safeguard its investment, the state will hire an independent validation and verification agent to review the new software and determine when the system is prepared for launch.
Members of the senior project management committee continue to engage employees at every level of the division, as well as partner with state agencies and outside entities, seeking their input and providing hands-on training.
“We recognize that launch of this new system will challenge both us and our customers in the short term – wait times will certainly increase in the initial weeks after the launch,” Hull said. “But we are taking the necessary steps to prepare for a July ‘go-live,’ including the possibility of a temporary reservation system to regulate our transaction volume so that we can bring up functionality in a managed, workable method.”
The state is committed to a transparent effort that will inform Rhode Islanders of the project’s progress toward the “go-live” date and important details they will need to complete transactions related to motor vehicle ownership and driver’s licensing during the launch and system stabilization.