Fees collected through e-government service transactions completed through the portal will fund the website’s ongoing development and maintenance. This self-funded model has become increasingly popular among states. NIC now manages the websites of 27 states and several cities and counties, the company said.
Maryland’s contract with NIC is for five years, with three one-year renewals at the option of the state. The deal could extend to 2019.
NIC will redesign Maryland.gov and will begin to enhance the state’s online services, the company said. First up will an online suite for Maryland’s Motor Vehicle Administration. No taxpayer dollars will be used, NIC said.
“Partnering with NIC allows Maryland to take its e-government services to a whole new level," said Elliot Schlanger, secretary of the Department of Information Technology, in a statement. The partnership will result in new ways for Maryland’s citizens and businesses to conduct business with the state government, Schlanger said.
