MaSSSoftech

By BOB LEWIS , 07.30.09, 02:09 PM EDT

RICHMOND, Va. -- The Virginia superagency that provides computer and information technology service to every other state agency doesn't answer to the governor, and it should, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine said Thursday.

Kaine said he feels most of the failures that have spawned two legislative panels to probe the Virginia Information Technologies Agency result from its oversight structure and management.

"I hope what the Legislature will do ... is come to the conclusion that this agency should report to the governor like every other agency does," Kaine said on his monthly radio program on WRVA in Richmond and the Virginia News Network.

VITA, established six years ago, and Northrop Grumman Corp. ( NOC - news - people ), its partner in a $2.4 billion, 10-year contract, have missed major deadlines in their task of transforming a far-flung patchwork of disparate agency computer systems into an integrated statewide network. Delays in providing service have prompted complaints from state agencies for several years.

The House Science and Technology Committee and a subcommittee of the Senate Finance Committee have both held hearings on the issue. Also, the Freedom of Information Advisory Council ruled last month that the board that oversees VITA improperly met in private to discuss the Northrop Grumman contract, the largest state contract with a single vendor ever in Virginia.