OTTAWA –- The feds are moving to finally drag the system for the public or media to request government documents into the Internet age.

Officials are formally asking the private sector for ideas about how to develop efficient, centralized Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) software that allows requests to be made and paid for online.

Completed requests would also be posted online.

“This is the first stage in a process to select a commercially-available software solution and a provider of managed software services to support Canada's vision for ATIP services,” officials said in solicitation documents.

Right now, federal departments and agencies use a mishmash of software to handle requests that can only be submitted via snail mail and paid for by cheque.

Officials plan to meet with industry representatives on December 19, but a location has not been announced yet.

By next year, the feds may be ready to seek out a company to actually do the work.