State of California and Accenture Expand Online Procurement System, Doubling Number of Items Offered to State Agencies

Small Business Suppliers Come Up Winners with CAL-BUY

Sacramento, June 12, 2001 – Expanding the State of California’s new eProcurement system, the Department of General Services (DGS) Procurement Division and Accenture today launched the second release of CAL-Buy, adding 90 suppliers and more than 2,500 items to the existing eProcurement system. With these additions, government buyers now have electronic access to more than 270 suppliers and more than 5,000 products.

This expansion gives state agencies the ability to electronically purchase variable-priced commodities, products ranging from beef and cheese to asphalt and trucks.

California’s small businesses, in particular, are beneficiaries of the eProcurement system. CAL-Buy highlights goods produced by certified small businesses, giving these small suppliers online visibility. Approximately a third of CAL-Buy suppliers are small businesses, and in the first month of operation, these suppliers already accounted for half of the transactions that went through the system.

“By expanding CAL-Buy, the State is demonstrating its commitment to California’s small business suppliers, saving taxpayer dollars and increasing government efficiency,” said Arun Baheti, California director of eGovernment. “With Accenture’s assistance, the CAL-Buy system has streamlined state purchasing and contracting processes, and has proven California a leader in state government eProcurement.”

Initially launched in March, CAL-Buy automates the state’s order and approval process while using the Internet to link buyers to existing state government contracts. In the first few months of operation, more than $2 million flowed through the CAL-Buy system as the California Highway Patrol, California Department of Transportation and DGS used CAL-Buy to purchase goods electronically.

“The CAL-Buy launch was a huge success, and with these new additions, we look forward to bringing even more government buyers together with small business suppliers,” said Audrey Harrell of Accenture’s California state government practice. “Increasingly, state buyers and suppliers are reaping the benefits of this one-stop eProcurement shop, and this second release makes the system that much more cost- and time-efficient.”

As CAL-Buy grows, more state purchasers, agencies and suppliers will be added to the system. The State plans to provide CAL-Buy access to state agencies, as well as public schools and local government agencies. As these users and suppliers are linked to CAL-Buy, the state also will bring other purchasing vehicles, including California Multiple Award Schedules, master agreements and one-time buys, online.

About Accenture
Accenture is the world’s leading provider of management and technology consulting services and solutions, with more than 70,000 people in 46 countries delivering a wide range of specialized capabilities and solutions to clients across all industries. Accenture operates globally with one common brand and business model designed to enable the company to serve its clients on a consistent basis around the world. Under its strategy, Accenture is building a network of businesses to meet the full range of any organization’s needs -- consulting, technology, outsourcing, alliances and venture capital. The company generated revenues of $9.75 billion for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2000 and $5.71 billion for the six months ended February 28, 2001. Its home page is http://www.accenture.com.

A registration statement relating to the offering has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission but has not yet become effective. The shares may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective. This release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of the shares in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

This announcement appears as a matter of record only and should not be taken as an inducement or solicitation to subscribe for shares in any initial public offering.

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Barbara Hohbach

+1 (703) 947 1838

barbara.d.hohbach@accenture.com

Jaleh Allameh

+1 (703) 947-3450

c.jaleh.allameh@accenture.com