The Hawaii Health Connector, Hawaii's health insurance exchange, has awarded a $53 million, four-year contract to a Virginia-based technology firm to construct the exchange's online marketplace.

CGI Technologies and Solutions, Fairfax, Va., will develop the infrastructure that will allow individuals and small businesses to research various health insurance plans and costs. The electronic tools also will help users determine whether they are eligible for financial assistance, according to a < a href="http://www.hawaiihealthconnector.com/uploads/NR_HIHContracts_FINAL12072012.pdf">Hawaii Health Connector news release (PDF).

The state has decided to build its own health insurance exchange rather than partner with the federal government, the release said. Hawaii was one of eight states to receive a year's worth of grant funding from HHS in August to build its exchange.