State abandons computer technology development bids

HONOLULU — The state has canceled a call for proposals for new computer technology after spending $11 million developing the solicitation.

The administration of Gov. David Ige, however, says the money has not been wasted.

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports the state asked vendors 18 months ago to submit proposals for a statewide system to integrate financial data and human resources.

The state spent $10.8 million on developing the proposal requests, and on related studies and research. The state spent another $321,000 on project legal costs.

This week, Ige said he is canceling the requests for proposals because those submitted by vendors were too costly.

But officials say work already done can be applied to state efforts for information technology system improvements.