FirstGov Provides Added Services To Americans Through Partnerships FirstGov.gov: Your first click to the U.S. Government

GSA #9765

November 16, 2000
Contact: Eleni Martin (202) 501-1231
eleni.martin@gsa.gov

Washington, DC --- Today, FirstGov.gov announced that it has enrolled its first 30 FirstGov� partners. FirstGov.gov� is a one-stop-gateway for all U.S. government information and services. FirstGov� offers access to 27 million web pages, 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week, in a way that is focused on the needs of citizens and businesses.

FirstGov� partners have entered into an agreement with GSA, through the FirstGov� Certified Partners Program, to comply with a set of conditions that address integrity, free access, privacy, accessibility for people with disabilities, and feedback channels. While anyone may install a simple link to FirstGov.gov, certified partners have three options for linking to FirstGov�. The first option gives partners the ability to put a FirstGov� logo directly on their site with a link to the FirstGov� web site. The second option includes a small window with a search box. Search results will be returned as if the user is on the FirstGov� web site. With the third option, search results will be returned as if the user is on the certified partner's web site.

"This is a valuable partnership that takes the first steps in unlocking the potential of e-government for all citizens," said Nick Carter, Imagitas Vice President for Public Affairs. "We are beginning to think differently about providing government related information and services. It's a great win for citizens, the government and the private sector." Imagitas, a private company, was the first FirstGov� certified partner.

The federal government uses web sites to make information and services available to the American people at the click of a mouse. Through the FirstGov� portal, citizens can avoid traveling to government offices, waiting in line, or mailing paper forms. Citizens are using web sites to file their taxes with the Internal Revenue Service, apply for student loans, find new jobs, and to compare their Medicare options.

Through FirstGov, citizens can access U.S. Government sites in seven ways. The most visible is the main keyword(s) search index of 27 million government web pages. The powerful searching and indexing technology is provided by Fed-Search Foundation. FirstGov users can also select featured subjects that highlight on-line transactions and new web sites; an organizational directory of executive, legislative and judicial branches of the U.S. Government; links to State and local government web sites; public and private sector FirstGov� partners; a section on interesting topics by categories; or provide feedback to FirstGov or directly to individual agencies.

For information about becoming a FirstGov� certified partner, visit the FirstGov � web site at: http://firstgov.gov.

FirstGov.gov Partners

Imagitas is a private company that is dedicated to making the public's interaction with government easier and friendlier. Their government portal, www.HiCitizen.com, is a comprehensive site that provides access to federal, state, and local forms, services and relevant information all in one place.

Post Newsweek Tech Media Group, a division of The Washington Post Company, is a leading publisher, organizer of trade shows and conferences, and provider of online services in government and business technology. From its headquarters in the nation's technology capital, the company delivers smart content and smart solutions in the $100 billion nationwide government technology market and to high-tech businesses in the dynamic Washington, D.C. metropolitan region. Publications include Government Computer News, Washington Technology, and Washington Techway; online services include washtech.com and newsbytes.com; trade shows include FOSE.

LA Communications Inc., is a privately held company with deep experience in journalism, business, Internet technology and public/investor relations. It owns and operates two highly acclaimed sites dealing with the federal government. They include FedBuzz.com, available at http://www.fedbuzz.com, which is an omnisite that contains news, features and helpful navigation tools, and GovWire, available at http://www.govwire.com, which provides the news releases generated each day by all federal government agencies and offices.

FormsAssistant.com is a small, but effective, Missouri-based company. The company takes pride in delivering an innovative high-tech service over the Internet. They specialize in automating existing government forms and hosting them online. FormsAssistant's owners think the interactive government forms processing market has potential, and they are proud to be one of the first companies to provide these services. The subscription-based service allows users to fill out a variety of government forms online for download in PDF and PostScript file formats. FormsAssistant.com says they are excited to be approved by FirstGov�; and are looking forward to a long and productive partnership.

Pilex Corporation is a minority owned business, incorporated August 1994, in Florida. The company develops herbal formutations in cooperation with associates in India. Pilex is oral medication for the long-term treatment of hemorrhoids.

Hiawatha Island Software Company (HiSoftware) develops comprehensive software solutions for knowledge management, web site promotion and e-business intelligence. These solutions are designed for use by IT professionals, web masters, marketing teams and other line managers to maximize the effective use of corporate Intranets, Internets, and document archives.

Heritage Solutions, Inc., develops, markets, installs and supports proprietary software and technology services to state, district, county and municipal governments. It is the founder's vision to create integrated, interactive governments prepared for the future, the Company is using its inherent and developed skills to automate and network courts and other government functions from police station to courthouse to state house. In pursuit of this goal, RecordsUSA.com, the company's public records portal, allows constituents of counties to search public records at their convenience from their home or office.

FindLaw, Inc. (www.findlaw.com), the pioneer and leader in online legal information and services, is the highest-trafficked legal Web site, providing the most comprehensive set of legal resources on the Internet for lawyers, businesses and individuals. These resources include legal search tools, case law (including U.S. Supreme Court decisions back to 1893), legal news, real-time SEC filings, community discussion areas and online continuing legal education.

Electronic Data Systems (EDS), the leading pure-play global services company, provides strategy, implementation and hosting for clients managing the complexities of the digital economy. EDS brings together the world's best technologies to address critical client business imperatives. It helps clients eliminate boundaries, collaborate in new ways, establish their customers' trust and continuously seek improvement. EDS serves the world's leading companies and governments in about 55 countries globally.

EzGov is the leading e-government technology company; building the software and providing the services that enable government to become more efficient and better serve citizens and businesses. From delivery and implementation of portal and e-transactional software, to professional services that help government agencies define an e-government strategy, EzGov provides a comprehensive foundation for e-government.

The White House Gift Shop provides the best selection of White House related gifts, brought to you by the men and women of the United States Secret Service Uniformed Division Benefit Fund. For more information, visit us online at www.whitehousegiftshop.com.

VALoans.com is a nationwide online mortgage company for Veterans and Active Duty Military desiring a VA Home Loan. VALoans.com solely concentrates on assisting eligible participants with a home purchase by providing mortgage information over the phone or a secure Internet site which is designed to educate Veterans on all aspects of the VA home loan program.

Livineasy is the premier online computer and Internet training resource for adults uncomfortable with technology. The company's Web site
(www.livineasy.com), the free training and tips it offers have been designed for the first-time computer novice. Easy to navigate and use, Livineasy.com is a first stop on the pathway to the Internet for any new computer user.

KoolStores.com provides information resources for the American Family and others. We provide clean and safe links to access information concerning education, employment, services, and products.

GovConnect is a leading provider of electronic access solutions for government agencies from strategy to implementation. Through an installed base of electronic solutions and consulting engagements in over 40 states, GovConnect has helped governments automate and process nearly 100 million transactions and collect over $20 billion in revenues. GovConnect is based in Cincinnati, Ohio with offices in Indianapolis, Indiana and Waltham, Massachusetts, as well as project offices in various locations.

Serra International, Inc. is a Freight Forwarder, NVOCC and Customs Broker that has provided a unique serviced since 1919. Serra provides air/ocean transportation, logistics and distribution services worldwide.

TheBrain Technologies Corporation provides a context-driven visual interface technology that connects information, replacing traditional file and folder hierarchies that separate information. TheBrain's patented technology can be utilized on desktops, the Internet, corporate intranets and handheld devices.

JURIST is the Internet's legal education portal, the university-based academic gateway to authoritative legal information, instruction and scholarship online. Edited and quality-controlled by a select team of Net-savvy law professors from law schools across the United States and around the world, JURIST is especially designed for individuals learning, teaching or researching law - legal scholars, law students, law librarians, lawyers and judges, journalists, and interested citizens.

FileSafe, an approved electronic filer, was among the first of the Internet web based systems to allow taxpayers to compute and otherwise prepare their tax returns online for free. FileSafe continues to offer free access to complete tax preparation and filing services including electronic filing and, through special arrangement with the IRS, bank products, to a broad range of U. S. taxpayers.

Other partners include:
AhaPlanet.com,
Epipeline,
FEDWorkplace.com,
GRC International, Inc.,
GTSI Corporation,
LakeChamplain.com, LLC,
Quality Systems Management Inc.,
ScienceWise.com,
Tahoe Internet Corporation,
The Guidance Channel, and
The City of Concord, California.

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