RICHMOND, VA—Despite warnings from lawmakers to back off, the state’s computer chief quietly reopened negotiations with Northrop Grumman over additional services that could add millions to Virginia’s information-technology bill. State officials yesterday could not provide the cost but said it might be lower than an estimate this summer by General Assembly investigators of $30 million to $40 million.

Extra computers are headed to health offices as part of Virginia’s response to swine flu after the company providing IT services to the state initially resisted supplying the gear because it was uncertain it would be paid. Northrop Grumman attributes the holdup to a misunderstanding. The Virginia Health Department blames confusion that, once cleared up, led to a better deal for the agency.

Lawmakers are warning the state’s computer chief and Northrop Grumman against ramming through potentially pricey changes in a disputed contract ahead of a looming shakeup in Virginia’s information-technology bureaucracy. Though by law it falls to Chief Information Officer George F. Coulter to accept or reject revisions, he and Northrop Grumman’s Virginia project boss, Samuel Abbate, were told modifications should be vetted by the next governor and General Assembly.

On the heels of a report depicting the state’s IT contract as bungled, the board overseeing the Virginia computer bureaucracy yesterday dissolved into disagreement over greater control in agency decisions. Citing the abrupt firing of several top executives critical of the company that runs the state’s information-technology systems, legislative appointees to the board governing the Virginia Information Technologies Agency pressed for a requirement that the agency’s new chief notify the panel of any major changes.

In her Aug. 9 Commentary column, “Technology Partnership Has Made Important Progress in a Few Years,“ Northrop Grumman’s Cheryl Janey wrote: “Progress of the ITIP [Information Technology Infrastructure Project] is not simply a matter of upgrading technology. It requires complex governmental coordination and decision-making to move the project forward against an aggressive schedule. It’s not Northrop Grumman’s place to determine the governance structure, but we see the current arrangement as adding enormous complexity contributing to delays, dissatisfaction, and miscommunication. What is needed is a governance structure with a leadership empowered for success—with authority to make timely decisions and drive progress.“

Overseers of the state’s information-technology agency blocked efforts to withhold millions of dollars in payments to Northrop Grumman as punishment for poor service, because they feared that the giant company could pull the plug on the Virginia computer network and trigger vast disruptions across the bureaucracy.

The Kaine administration’s quick fix for guiding the troubled Virginia information technology agency - allowing the secretary of technology to simultaneously serve as interim computer czar - is illegal, the attorney general ruled yesterday. William C. Mims, the state’s top lawyer, said the dual roles for Leonard M. “Len” Pomata violate a law that separates the jobs of technology secretary and chief information officer in order to shield the CIO from politics.

On July 2 we said: “A definitive judgment regarding the state’s information technology program must await the completion of a thorough report. We have confidence in the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission.“ A determined probe remains an imperative. The story broke with Lem Stewart’s ouster as head of the Virginia Information Technologies Agency. Stewart had questioned the public-private partnership with Northrop Grumman. The questions have multiplied. Stewart’s reputation has been enhanced.

Virginia’s interim computer boss is ruling out—for now—layoffs to help a giant corporation control what it’s spending to modernize state information technology services. Leonard M. “Len” Pomata, temporary head of the Virginia Information Technologies Agency, is knocking down a proposal by Northrop Grumman to stem losses by, among other things, cutting staff.

Even though agency rules say he shouldn’t have, the state’s acting computer czar paid a roughly $13 million bill that his ousted predecessor disputed. That improperly processed payment came days before the state accused the contractor of failing to fulfill its contractual obligations and being in breach of contract. The payment, approved by the agency’s interim head, Secretary of Technology Leonard M. “Len” Pomata, was not authorized by any member of the Virginia Information Technologies Agency contract management or financial staff, according to the Senate Finance Committee staff.

A definitive judgment regarding the state’s information technology program must await the completion of a thorough report. We have confidence in the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission. When Lemuel Stewart was ousted as head of the Virginia Information Technologies Agency (VITA), we endorsed an investigation to clear the air. Stewart had raised questions regarding Northrop Grumman, the private company contracted to operate the state government’s information system. If the circumstances of Stewart’s departure did not necessarily flunk the smell test, then they did not necessarily pass it, either. A test is warranted.

The state now is accusing Northrop Grumman of failing to deliver computer services and hinting at unspecified action against the giant company. In a shift yesterday, the state—which has been defending its disputed 10-year, $2.3 billion deal with Northrop Grumman—said the Chantilly-based firm is in breach of contract. Further, the state is demanding a plan from Northrop Grumman within 60 days for ending delays—some that have continued two years—and for completing an inventory of computer equipment that was supposed to be finished yesterday.

Virginia’s computer agency is six months behind schedule in putting in place a $2.3 billion contract with Northrop Grumman for info-tech services. Leonard M. “Len” Pomata, acting head of the Virginia Information Technologies Agency, disclosed the delay yesterday in the opening of House of Delegates and state Senate inquiries into the controversy engulfing the sprawling department.

The acting head of Virginia’s embattled computer agency is praising employees for “doing heavy lifting” and urging them to ignore critics. Leonard M. “Len” Pomata yesterday met with about 100 employees of the Virginia Information Technologies Agency at its Chesterfield County headquarters. Other workers listened by phone conference call, as did a reporter for the Richmond Times-Dispatch, who was supplied the numerical pass code. Some employees submitted questions to Pomata by e-mail.

Democratic Gov. Timothy M. Kaine and General Assembly Republicans are wrestling over who should run Virginia’s computer super-agency as a state report urges financial penalties for delays by the giant firm hired to provide information technology services. During an online chat yesterday at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Kaine said the Virginia Information Technologies Agency would be more accountable if its director reported directly to the governor.