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DTMB says Mitten improvements underway as committee debates digital services office and procurement rules
Summary
DTMB staff told appropriators that core Mitten modules are live and ongoing governance, testing and vendor oversight should stabilize the system; DTMB also defended modern procurement practices and urged flexibility on contract length limits while members pressed on cybersecurity and contract specifics (Mitten contract expires May 8, 2028).
DTMB officials told the House Appropriations Committee they are stabilizing the Mitten public‑disclosure system through increased governance, testing and vendor oversight after DTMB’s involvement began in spring 2025. Heather Frick, DTMB’s Agency Services Director, said core modules are live and the department is using iterative monthly releases, data reconciliation and improved test procedures to reduce recurring defects and improve reporting.
Frick said DTMB’s role has included strengthening governance, clarifying scope and coordinating IT testing with the vendor; she emphasized ongoing user experience work and public transparency about fixes and upcoming changes. “Core modules are now live,” Frick said, adding that DTMB and partner agencies plan continual iterative improvements ahead of mandated 2026 filing deadlines.
Acting CIO Eric Swanson described Michigan’s consolidated IT model — centralized infrastructure, device management, and an enterprise design system — and argued the Michigan model already delivers many functions associated with dedicated digital‑services offices in other states. Swanson cited consolidation metrics, device counts and accessibility work as evidence of the state’s approach.
DTMB’s Chief Procurement Officer, Jared Embrozier, defended flexible procurement tools such as Competitive Proof of Concept (CPC), Statements of Work pools and Requests for Solution, and warned that rigid statutory limits on contract size or length (House Bill 5663 was discussed) could hamper strategic decisions. Embrozier provided a concrete contract detail for the committee: “The contract’s Expiration date is May 8th of 2028,” and noted the state may exercise up to five option years where appropriate.
Lawmakers raised cybersecurity and remote‑work concerns; DTMB described endpoint security adjustments for hybrid work, contract security schedules, SOC verification for vendors handling sensitive data and national standards embedded in contracts. DTMB said it would provide further detail and bring subject‑matter experts for deeper security discussions.
Next steps: DTMB committed to sending requested procurement and contract data (including Mitten contract details, vendor oversight steps and timelines) to the full committee and to follow up on security‑specific questions.
