Gov announces review of computer outage

RICHMOND, Va.(WAVY) - Gov. Bob McDonnell says Northrop Grumman will pay for an independent study into the recent computer outage that hit government agencies.

The review will look at why computer services for 26 of 89 agencies failed. The failure prevented people from obtaining services from drivers licenses to paying their taxes.

The Department of Motor Vehicles will extend its hours, and will be open Sunday and Labor Day (see times below). The DMV will also have extended hours the following weekend.

Northrop Grumman has a contract with the Virginia Information Technologies Agency to manage state government's computer system.

The two have been criticized by the General Assembly's Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission for a series of problems with the computer network.

McDonnell says his office and the commission will decide who conducts the review.

The DMV estimates as many as 45,000 customers were impacted by the service disruption, which began August 25.

Below are the details of the additional Labor Day weekend DMV hours:

Friday, September 3: All locations open until 6 p.m.

Saturday, September 4: All locations open 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

14* locations (including Chesapeake, Hampton and Virginia Beach-Buckner) will remain open from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Sunday, September 5: 14* locations (including Chesapeake, Hampton and Virginia Beach-Buckner) open 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Monday, September 6: 14* locations (including Chesapeake, Hampton and Virginia Beach-Buckner) open 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

For more information, call 1-888-337-4782 or go online at www.dmvNOW.com .