OMB Pushes Communication with IT Contractors “Talk amongst yourselves.” That’s the federal chief information officer’s message to government officials and industry planning new IT systems. “Increased engagement with industry is critical,” CIO Vivek Kundra said at a Dec. 9 briefing on the Obama administration’s roadmap for improving IT acquisition and management. The Office of Management and Budget rolled out a 25-point plan that officials said is designed to make federal IT more agile, cost-effective and accountable. The plan sets a timetable for action on the steps within six, 12 or 18 months. Up-front collaboration with industry is a key component. Kundra said poorly written requirements often leave industry “playing guessing games about what the requirements are.” He acknowledged that many federal officials “think they’re going to go to jail if you talk to vendors before putting out the RFP.” Contracting officers have also cited fear of protests if one potential vendor seems to have an inside track. Dan Gordon, administrator of federal procurement policy, will lead a “myth-busting” campaign to allay those fears. He said he will spread the word that current law allows discussions with industry. “We have to see what we can do, not only what we can’t do,” Gordon said. One industry executive in the audience said the “myth busters” have to make sure agency inspectors general and ethics officers get that message. OMB plans to create online forums for information-sharing between buyers and vendors. Another key component of the IT overhaul is a “cloud first” policy that will allow agencies to replace expensive mainframes and servers. On all projects, agencies must evaluate whether leasing access to Web-based equipment is preferable to buying hardware or software. Agencies will be required to identify three “must move” services that can migrate to the cloud, and get that done within 18 months. Kundra said using the cloud will allow the government to eliminate 40% of its more than 2,000 data centers. OMB officials plan to ask Congress for more flexible budget authority to better manage IT acquisitions. They will seek legislation to give agency CIOs control over IT budgets so money can be switched from one program to another. Kundra also outlined steps to begin hiring and training a cadre of IT specialists in program offices and contracting shops. However, officials acknowledged they will have to scrounge for money to make that happen. OMB’s 25-step plan runs 40 pages, but Kundra said it contains no magic bullets. “It’s not about some grand design, but it’s about executing,” he said. Industry generally endorsed the strategy. TechAmerica, a trade association for IT companies, said it had proposed many of the same ideas in its white paper. It said the administration’s moves “could revolutionize federal technology.”