Program Update August 19, 2021
Software Procurement
The BEST program is currently engaged in Procurement of Software. We are working with the Evaluation Committee and Subject Matter Experts to evaluate Bidders responses. After this phase, we will engage in a Procurement for a System Integrator. While we work on this we would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to the Program Management Office (PMO).
Meet the PMO
Our Program Management Office is a team of 10, made up of 9 functional leads and one program manager. The PMO team reports to our Executive Sponsors, A&F, CTR, and EOTSS.
Name: Evanice Torres
Title: Payroll Lead Where are you from? I was born In Puerto Rico but was raised In the Bronx.
Tell us a little bit about your role on the team: As the Payroll Lead, my role is to ensure that all payroll related matters are included and properly functioning in the state's next system.
What are you working on right now? I am currently working on the criteria that BEST will use to identify the use cases for the SI bidders to demo and attending software product demonstrations as part of the procurement process.
What were you doing prior to BEST? Before coming to work at CTR I was the Payroll Director at MBTA. I started when the T was In the middle of transitioning to the State Payroll system.
What do you like best? (Any hobbies, TV Shows, Sports Teams you love?) I love cooking and coming up with new recipes.
Do you have a favorite spot for lunch? I have a few favorite places for lunch but my all-time favorite Is going to Chinatown and having Dim Sum.
Name: Bill Weiss Title: Human Resources Lead Where are you from? Originally from the quiet corner of CT, spent many years in the Boston suburbs and now a resident of NH. Tell us a little bit about your role on the team: I focus on the Human Resources related capabilities (Recruiting, Onboarding, Learning Management, Personnel Administration, Performance Management, Leave Management, Time & Attendance, etc.) with an eye towards bringing these many capabilities, currently supported by HR/CMS and a host of separate disconnected ancillary systems, into a single interconnected solution that meets the needs of our users throughout the Enterprise. What are you working on right now? Participating in Phase 2 Bidder Demos where we are getting a deep dive into each Bidder’s software products. I’m also coordinating the consolidation of scores submitted by our Evaluation Committee and Subject Matter Experts as we progress through the different phases of the Software RFR evaluation process. What were you doing prior to BEST? 16+ years with the Commonwealth all in various HR functional and HR systems roles, most recently as the MassCareers system administrator at HRD. What do you like best? (Any hobbies, TV Shows, Sports Teams you love?) I enjoy DIY house / yard projects. I used to watch Patriots and Celtics games regularly but now with two young kids I’m mainly watching cartoons and Disney movies. Do you have a favorite spot for lunch? Big lunches make me sleepy so my go-to was a quick stop at the Ashburton Cafe then a walk around the block.