Internet firms take the initiative

A slew of Internet companies are offering their services to government agencies.

But in some cases, particularly when it comes to government portals, the

companies are not waiting for agencies to ask for help.

GovConnect.com, for example, launched a Web site last week that makes

government information more accessible to constituents by organizing it

by topic or service area. The company also provides agencies with the ability

to create online services, such as tax return forms and Social Security

applications, free of charge.

"Rather than remember the names of all the government Web sites, people

can search by topics," said Gene DeLucia, president of GovConnect.com. "We

also make available any electronic services, such as tax returns and reservations

to campgrounds."

GovConnect.com also creates electronic forms, such as Social Security

card applications, and provides links to government information to help

answer everyday questions, at no cost to the government.

Fedamerica, unveiled May 10, provides federal employees with a single

site where they can access pay and benefits information, including retirement,

leave, health and life insurance, travel and employment opportunities.

Publicsectorzone.com, another May launch, provides everything from information

on how to reduce work-related accidents to news stories that affect the

public sector to a list of companies that offer government services.