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Volume 10, Number 55 AmCham NewsChamber NotesSuccessful Pilot Project Spreads to Other Regions ByTatianaTemirovaFrom the outset, a regional pilot project was considered to be the apex of know-how and technical assistance provided by the E-Government Competence Center. A successful project in Russia\'s regions could serve as a proof-of-concept to illustrate the reality and benefits of e-Government technology. The project would also provide visibility and generate interest.Over 18 months ago the selection process and criteria were defined, project proposals were collected and reviewed, and the proposals were vetted until an e-procurement system for the city of Izhevsk in the Republic of Udmurtiawas selected as the Center\'s pilot project. This initiative was selected based on the wide impact for citizens and small businesses, and the applicant organization\'s commitment to the project\'s ultimate success. Support from the Center\'s partners (Cisco, Microsoft, intel, HP, IBS, Optima and TerraLink Technologies) in the form of hardware, software and consulting was also an integral part of the project\'s success.In addition to the Center and its partners, the project players included the Izhevsk administration\'s information committee and procurement department, and the local company, NPO Computer. Together, they Analyzed Russian state, regional and municipal legislation on e-procurement; Developed a draft of the required municipal e-procurement legislation; Developed a blueprint of the municipal e-procurement system, ofwhich the e-commerce system is a part; Selected an e-commerce software package, running in asp modeand provided by the Promo-M company from Ufa; Supported the city administration\'s e-commerce tender for aninformation technology provider; Trained potential e-commerce participants, including suppliers; Oversaw e-commerce transactions and processes; and Evaluated the results.By conducting the tender online, the city administration was able to save one million rubles on its IT purchases. The continuation of this project will help to de-bureaucratize the city administrative structures - the importance of which can hardly be overestimated.The mechanisms developed and implemented in Izhevsk are being replicated by Promo-M in other regional and local governments throughout Russia. The success of the pilot project and the experience gained will aid the Center as it continues to provide consulting services to the Russian government.