Panel OKs $1 million payment for NOMADS computer system

The payment goes to IBM Global, the business giant hired in 1992 to develop the system - in what was expected to be a 3-year period.

NOMADS is the acronym for Nevada Operations Multi Automated Data Systems - which is now about $75 million more expensive than anyone ever imagined.

The state payment approved Tuesday by the board, chaired by Gov. Kenny Guinn, is for costs incurred last fiscal year. The state payment coincides with a $2.5 million payment from the federal government.

NOMADS began with a $22.6 million budget. Its cost have ballooned to nearly $90 million with the latest payments, and will exceed $100 million when done.

Problems have included missed deadlines, cost overruns, staff turnover, change orders, threats of federal fines and bickering between state officials and IBM.

NOMADS was born after a 1988 federal law required states to have a single system for child-support enforcement. The goal was to get support payments to custodial families quicker, track down "deadbeat dads" faster and otherwise streamline the system.

The Welfare Division contracted for a feasibility study. The decision was made to produce an integrated computer system, not just a single program for child support.

NOMADS was one of the biggest headaches inherited by the Guinn administration. The governor hopes for an October 2000 completion date for the system's initial phase - but he's not terribly optimistic.

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