The On-Site Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) Program of the Environmental Health Division oversees system design, permitting, and inspection of on-site (generally non-municipal or decentralized) sewage treatment systems within Tompkins County. This County-wide program ensures on-site sewage systems are designed and constructed to protect public health and county water resources. There are approximately 15,000 individual sewage systems within the County (since 1952), with an average of approximately 300 construction permits and 260 completion certificates for on-site sewage systems issued per year. Primary work completed by the OWTS Program includes the design, inspection and permitting of all new, replacement or expanded sewage systems, response to community complaints and the provision of related educational services. Additionally, in 2012, the OWTS team will be implementing a new septic tank permitting program. Intent of Request for Information (RFI) The Environmental Health Division seeks to evaluate various software applications and field based data collection technologies that have the ability to integrate the individual elements of the OWTS Program's permitting and records management process, so that all stakeholders will be able to input, access, transfer and analyze data where appropriate. Initially, the application should be able to parallel existing paper-based processes, where redundancy is presently needed, yet allow for the transition to a paperless process, which must include the capability to index future digital versions of all existing paper records or existing digital files. This RFI process will provide a means to: - Review potential software solutions, - Better evaluate the final scope of the project, - Evaluate and identify additional opportunities for process efficiencies and service enhancements, - Determine a range of appropriate technical field based solutions, - Consider integration with other current systems and data sources (GIS, Assessment, County Clerk, LaserFiche), and - Provide information for budgetary purposes No additional specifications were given.
