Volume 3, Issue 1
Summer 2025
Commissioner's Corner
Dear Legislative Partners,
As summer winds down, the Department of Administrative Services has been busier than ever. From opening new schools and topping off major school construction projects, to celebrating five years of HR centralization, promoting fire safety, supporting businesses, and investing in sustainability, our team continues to deliver on behalf of the people of Connecticut.
This edition of DAS Newsline recaps the 2025 Digital Government Summit, highlights progress on school construction and workforce initiatives, and shares updates on procurement, outreach and environmental stewardship, and much more. We are proud of what has been accomplished and look forward to carrying this momentum into the fall.
Sincerely,
Michelle Gilman
Commissioner, DAS
michelle.gilman@ct.gov
Human Resources Centralization: Modernizing for the Future
Since Governor Lamont’s Executive Order No. 2 in 2019, DAS has been leading the charge to centralize and modernize HR across executive branch agencies. Recent milestones include:
- Streamlined Services: Backlogs in FMLA, military leave, and retirements have been dramatically reduced, with faster and more consistent service delivery.
- Cost savings: Saved $7 million in PS in FY 22-23
- Smarter Structure: Functional teams now handle Talent Acquisition, Leaves & Benefits, and Learning & Development, supported by embedded Agency HR Business Partners.
This work is helping agencies operate more efficiently while ensuring employees receive timely, effective HR support.
Read the feature story: Five years forward - How Connecticut Transformed HR (CT.gov)
Digital Government Summit: A Successful Gathering
On September 4, 2025, Connecticut hosted its annual Digital Government Summit in Hartford, bringing together nearly 500 state and local leaders, technology professionals, and policymakers to discuss the future of digital government.
DAS Commissioner Michelle Gilman, CIO Mark Raymond, and members of the Bureau of Information Technology Solutions (BITS) joined with partners across government to spotlight key innovations in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, accessibility, and service design.
Industry partners, agency staff (including six of our DAS colleagues), and IT leaders shared perspectives on how technology is transforming state services. Breakout sessions emphasized the importance of human-centered design and accessible digital services to ensure all Connecticut residents benefit from modernization.
The event reinforced Connecticut’s leadership role in digital transformation, and planning is already underway for 2026.
2026 State Code Adoption – Public Hearing Scheduled
The Codes & Standards Committee has announced its intent to adopt the 2026 Connecticut State Building Code, State Fire Safety Code, and State Fire Prevention Code. This code will incorporate national model codes.
Written comments are being accepted through October 11.
A public hearing will be held on:
📅 September 17, 2025
🕙 10:00 AM
📍 Legislative Office Building, Room 2D, 300 Capitol Avenue, Hartford
Comments will also be accepted virtually.
The new code is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026.
We encourage you to share this information with constituents, municipal officials, builders, architects, and anyone who may be interested in participating in the hearing or submitting comments. This is an important opportunity for stakeholders to help shape the next generation of building standards in Connecticut.
School Construction Milestones
Washington School
In August, DAS celebrated alongside state and local leaders at the ribbon cutting for the newly completed Washington School in West Haven. This modern facility represents a major investment in education and community development, providing West Haven students with a state-of-the-art learning environment.
Norwalk High School
Construction on the new Norwalk High School reached a milestone this summer with a topping off ceremony. Legislators, local officials, and DAS staff joined in celebrating the placement of the final steel beam. Special recognition was given to Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff for his leadership and advocacy in making this project possible. The new school is slated to be a cornerstone for the city’s future.
New Deputy State Fire Marshal Appointed
This session, the legislature passed important reforms to strengthen fire prevention and community risk reduction. Building on that work, DAS is proud to announce the appointment of David Woods to serve as the new Deputy State Fire Marshal, expanding the Office of the State Fire Marshal’s capacity to serve communities across Connecticut. This addition ensures continued leadership in fire safety and code compliance.
HVAC Program Update
On July 29, Lt. Governor Bysiewicz, Commissioner Gilman, Senator Anwar, and Representative Biggins joined East Hartford officials to highlight a legislative change that moves the Public Schools HVAC/Indoor Air Quality Grant Program into the Non-Priority List school construction process. This change allows the DAS Commissioner to approve eligible HVAC/IAQ projects administratively on a monthly basis, improving timeliness and predictability for districts.
News At a Glance
Planting Native and Pollinator-Friendly Spaces
This summer, DAS took action to enhance the state’s natural environment by planting native and pollinator-friendly plants at DAS-controlled properties. These efforts not only beautify state facilities but also support biodiversity, protect pollinators, and advance Connecticut’s sustainability goals.
Urban Mining Visit
Commissioner Gilman joined agency partners for a visit to Urban Mining CT, a pioneering facility in Beacon Falls that transforms recycled glass into a sustainable substitute for traditional cement. The tour highlighted how DAS and its construction partners can leverage innovative materials to reduce the state’s carbon footprint while supporting Connecticut businesses.
Procurement Division: Supporting Agencies with GL71
The DAS Procurement Division rolled out updates to General Letter 71 (GL71), strengthening procurement standards for state agencies. This update improves transparency, ensures compliance, and makes it easier for agencies to navigate purchasing requirements. The Procurement team continues to provide training and one-on-one support to ensure smooth adoption.
UConn Fellowship Program Highlighted
The Governor's Fellowship Program, which connects professionals with opportunities to launch public service careers in state government, was recently featured in UConn Today. The feature underscored DAS’s commitment to developing the next generation of Connecticut’s workforce.
Business Access and Talent Solutions Outreach
The Business Access Team has been actively engaging with small and minority-owned businesses across the state, helping them pursue S/MBE certification and access state contracting opportunities. These efforts expand economic opportunity and support local entrepreneurship.
The Talent Solutions team has been conducting outreach to potential employees statewide, showcasing the benefits of public service careers and helping agencies attract and retain a skilled workforce.
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