Federal Government Technology
The US government is one of the world’s largest technology users. Often times, government agencies spend most of their IT funds on operations and maintenance of legacy systems. This leaves very little left over for innovation. Federal agencies face a constant challenge to deploy modern IT infrastructure. Cumbersome procurement processes is another obstacle. Agencies may have difficulties quickly obtaining and deploying new resources when they need them.
Despite these hurdles, IT modernization is essential for agencies looking to improve operational efficiency, reduce overall technology costs, boost security and support employee productivity. Data center optimization, high-performance mobile devices, networking, security, and data analytics can help federal agencies achieve their goals for IT modernization.
Modernizing federal IT has been a major undertaking. Federal IT modernization has accelerated with initiatives such as FITARA and the associated Data Center Optimization Initiative (DCOI). Together these initiatives ensure accountability for agency data center consolidation and optimization.
In December 2014, the Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act (FITARA) was signed. Not only did it codify the data center initiative into law it also challenges federal agencies to focus on both consolidation and optimization. This requires the Office of the Federal Chief Information Officer (OFCIO) to provide public updates on cumulative progress. Also to establish and publish cost savings and optimization improvements.
Federal Government Acts in place
To meet FITARA requirements, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) established the DCOI policy to help federal agencies, develop and report on data center strategies. To also transition to more efficient infrastructure, such as cloud services and inter-agency shared services and leverage technology advancements to optimize infrastructure.
The DCOI requires agencies to develop and report on data center strategies to consolidate the inefficient infrastructure. As well as optimize existing facilities by installing energy metering and replacing manual collections and reporting systems with DCIM. This can achieve cost savings, and transition to a more efficient infrastructure, such as cloud services and interagency shared services.
The Modernizing Government Technology Act was passed December 12, 2017 as part of the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act.
The MGT Act allows agencies to invest in modern technology solutions to improve service delivery to the public. It also improves secure sensitive systems, and data to save taxpayer dollars. This memorandum sets forth Administration objectives and necessary actions agencies should take to implement the MGT Act.
Why JEM?
With JEM’s 40 years’ experience in the IT industry, we can help civilian and federal agencies assess, design, deploy and manage data center and network infrastructures within your data centers, IT closets and edge computing. View our capabilities or our GSA Advantage page.
