3: eGovernment
EXPAND ELECTRONIC GOVERNMENT Other Information:
USDA launched a Department-wide effort in 2001 to improve the methods through which its agencies collectively executed its
broad mission objectives. The Department’s strategies, published in USDA’s eGovernment Strategic Plan in 2002, focus on improving
the delivery of its information and services and reducing costs. The plan calls for USDA to: Provide customers with single
points of access to information and services; Simplify and unify business processes spanning multiple agencies; Establish
information and service-delivery standards; and Consolidate redundant information technology services and systems through
use of shared USDA or Government solutions. USDA will implement numerous initiatives defined in the strategy. These initiatives
include: Consolidating USDA’s export-related assistance and market information with similar information from its partners
in the Federal and private sector atwww.export.gov. Exporters may identify potential trading partners; access multi-agency
requirements for documenting, packaging, labeling and shipping products overseas; locate the services and financing tools
available from multiple agencies; and access a wide variety of market-research reports to identify international business
opportunities; Expanding opportunities for citizens and businesses to participate in the Federal regulatory process by working
with its Federal partners to create www.regulations.gov. This site allows citizens and businesses to easily locate, review
and comment on regulations; Helping citizens determine their eligibility for USDA benefits by providing pre-eligibility surveys
at www.govbenefi ts.gov. Citizens now can save time associated with traveling to an office to determine if they qualify for
benefits by completing the online survey in advance; Reorganizing www.usda.gov to present the Department’s information and
services by topic rather than by organization. Customers may now find information created by multiple agencies in one location
instead of having to visit multiple agency Web sites. Additionally, the site permits customers to customize the information
presented when they log on. This feature gives visitors immediate access to the types of information they are most interested
in retrieving; and Implementing a common electronic authentication service that enables citizens, businesses and employees
to conduct their business with the Department privately and securely; USDA will continue to refine and implement its strategies,
emphasizing major cross-agency business functions, such as loans, grants and supply-chain management.
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