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California Selects E-Signature Solutions

Carahsoft Technology Corp. for DocuSign and Taborda Solutions Inc. for Adobe Sign are the awarded bids, according to state procurement records. Customers will be able to buy these solutions by Nov. 1, after the contracts are finalized, according to Department of Technology officials.

The California Department of Technology (CDT) has selected two e-signature solutions that agencies and departments can opt to buy within the department's portfolio of hosted services.

Carahsoft Technology Corp. for DocuSign and Taborda Solutions Inc. for Adobe Sign are the winning bids, according to state procurement records. Customers will be able to buy these solutions by Nov. 1, after the contracts are finalized, according to CDT officials.

New legislation signed by the governor in August is enabling California government customers to use these e-signature solutions, said Richard Rogers, deputy director of the CDT Engineering Division.

The bill (AB 2296), introduced by Assembly Tech Caucus co-chair Evan Low, D-Campbell, and supported by the Secretary of State's Office, was written to make it easier for the state government to use digital signature technology, its backers say.

The bill intends to clarify confusion in California's government code about the definitions of "digital signatures" and "electronic signatures" in California's government code. AB 2296 stipulates that a digital signature authorized is one type of electronic signature that a public agency may choose to adopt.

Currently the state defines a digital signature as an "electronic identifier, created by computer, intended by the party using it to have the same force and effect as the use of a manual signature."

The two e-signature solutions will be offered within CDT's catalog of Vendor-Hosted Software Solutions (VHSS). In the VHSS model, customers pay a prenegotiated rate and pay as they go. The Department of Technology acts as a service broker.

Matt Williams was Managing Editor of Techwire from June 2014 through May 2017.