New Administrations: GSA IT Modernization Plan
The General Services Administration (GSA) has announced an IT modernization plan designed to IT services across federal agencies. We have identified the following ten areas of focus in its 2025 transition.
- Reducing the compliance burden to increase competition
- Providing Better Technology Tools for Contracting Workforce
- IT Infrastructure Modernization
- Consolidating and Standardizing Systems
- Innovating with Generative AI and Enhancing Software Development
- Increase Government Access to Best-in-Class Technologies
- Reimagining FedRAMP for a more Agile Future
- Utilizing Cloud Technologies and Optimizing Cloud Software Spending
- Reviewing Licenses to Eliminate Redundant Spending
- Eliminating Redundant Spending Across the Federal Government
Below is more detail about each of these areas and their impact:
- Reducing Compliance Burden to Increase Competition
In the current environment large IT contractors have large advantages over smaller firms because of the complexity of the bidding process. Large companies generally have teams of people that are experts at writing and developing proposals. By simplifying compliance requirements, the GSA hopes to create a more competitive and dynamic contracting environment. This will enable a wider range of companies, especially small businesses and emerging technology startups, to compete. This shift will also help streamline the procurement process and reduce delays, ultimately accelerating the delivery of services and products to federal agencies.
- Providing Better Technology Tools for the Contracting Workforce
The GSA is also focused on providing the contracting workforce with better technology tools to improve efficiency and accuracy in managing contracts. By equipping contracting officers and procurement professionals with advanced tools, the GSA aims to reduce manual work, minimize errors, and enhance decision-making. This initiative will not only lead to faster processing times but also allow for more informed and strategic procurement decisions, fostering a more agile and responsive government contracting process.
- IT Infrastructure Modernization
A robust and modern IT infrastructure is essential for the federal government to meet the growing demands of digital services. The GSA’s plan includes significant investments in IT infrastructure to ensure that federal agencies have the technological foundation required to operate effectively in the digital age. This modernization involves upgrading networks, improving security protocols, and ensuring that agencies are equipped with the tools and capabilities needed to manage and analyze vast amounts of data.
- Consolidating and Standardizing Systems
To eliminate inefficiencies and streamline operations, the GSA plans to consolidate the number of systems used across federal agencies for similar tasks. Currently, multiple systems may exist for performing the same job, leading to duplication of effort, increased costs, and data inconsistencies. The GSA aims to standardize processes by establishing one unified system for each specific job function, thereby simplifying workflows and reducing the overall complexity of federal IT operations. This move will not only save costs but also improve inter-agency collaboration and data sharing.
- Innovating with Generative AI and Enhancing Software Development
The GSA recognizes the potential of emerging technologies, especially generative AI, to drive innovation and improve productivity in federal operations. By leveraging AI, GSA plans to enhance the search capabilities across the federal government for acquisition policies and streamline the process of code generation for software engineers. The use of generative AI will help automate routine tasks, allowing software developers to focus on higher-value work and increasing overall efficiency. Furthermore, AI’s ability to sift through vast datasets and generate insights will accelerate decision-making in procurement and contract management.
Also read our article: How To Sell Software To The Government: A Comprehensive Guide
- Increasing Government Access to Best-in-Class Technologies
Another priority for the GSA is increasing government access to the best-in-class technologies available in the market. By making cutting-edge tools and solutions more accessible, the GSA aims to improve the overall quality of federal services and operations. This initiative will enable agencies to utilize the latest innovations in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and other emerging technologies. By prioritizing access to these advanced tools, the GSA seeks to ensure that the federal government remains competitive and responsive to evolving challenges in an increasingly digital world.
- Re-Imagining FedRAMP for a More Agile Future
The Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) is a critical initiative for ensuring the security of cloud-based services used by federal agencies. The GSA’s plan includes re-imagining FedRAMP to make it more agile and efficient in responding to the rapidly changing landscape of cloud technologies. The goal is to streamline the FedRAMP certification process while maintaining the highest standards of security. By doing so, the GSA aims to accelerate the adoption of secure cloud services across federal agencies without compromising on risk management or compliance requirements.
- Utilizing Cloud Technologies and Optimizing Cloud Software Spending
Cloud computing continues to be a game-changer for the federal government, providing greater flexibility, scalability, and cost savings. GSA plans to optimize the use of cloud technologies across agencies to ensure that government operations are more efficient, resilient, and cost-effective. This includes leveraging cloud-based infrastructure and software solutions to drive productivity, streamline operations, and improve service delivery. Additionally, the GSA will focus on optimizing cloud software spending by conducting regular reviews of cloud licenses to ensure they are being used effectively and not over-purchased or underutilized.
- Reviewing Licenses to Eliminate Redundant Spending
A key aspect of the GSA’s strategy is ensuring that taxpayer dollars are being spent efficiently. Finally, the agency plans to conduct thorough reviews of software licenses to identify and eliminate any redundant or underused licenses. By eliminating unnecessary licenses, the GSA can free up valuable resources that can be reinvested in more pressing areas of IT modernization. This review will also help ensure that the government is only paying for the software and services it needs, further reducing waste and inefficiency.
- Eliminating Redundant Spending Across the Federal Government
The GSA is committed to eliminating redundant spending in the federal IT landscape. With numerous agencies often purchasing similar technologies and services, there is significant potential for wasteful duplication. By consolidating purchasing decisions and establishing centralized procurement processes, the GSA aims to reduce costs and ensure that the government gets the best value for its investments in technology. This effort will help streamline operations, reduce waste, and drive savings that can be reinvested into critical areas such as cybersecurity, innovation, and service delivery.
