[prawn]

Speaking from afar, but I've noticed that Americans tend to feel very strongly about state rights and independence, as well as the opportunity for someone to profit somewhere. Wouldn't that work against what you're saying?

I do think it makes complete sense though - reinventing the wheel in each state is crazy.

I wonder if any state agency has ever hired and built a solution internally, proven its effectiveness, and then somehow sold it to other states?

[mxschumacher]

What you're saying is quite possibly true.

This is part of a bigger problem - it is just so hard to understand the internal structure, processes and needs of these organizations.

There must be some people on HN who have extensive government contracting experience and can shed a light on this?