ACT-IAC Applauds Office of Management and Budget Strategy to Improve Major Information Technology Acquisitions

Many of the initiatives consistent with recommendations ACT-IAC made in Oct. 22 report to OMB

FAIRFAX, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The American Council for Technology and Industry Advisory Council (ACT-IAC) has expressed its support for the new strategy announced today by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for improving the acquisition of major IT systems by the Federal government.

“While we look forward to the details that are yet to be announced, we commend the Administration on this strategy”

OMB Chief Information Officer Vivek Kundra and OMB Chief Performance Officer Jeff Zeintz announced the new strategy at the Northern Virginia Technology Council's monthly Titans Breakfast this morning.

Key points in OMB’s strategy include:

• Provide additional training in the area of acquisition management and create a new career path for program managers in the Federal government.
• Require agencies to establish integrated and co-located project teams before embarking upon major IT acquisitions.
• Enhance the ability of government and industry to communicate and collaborate more effectively.
• Sharpen the governance and accountability processes for monitoring major IT acquisitions.
• Ensure that agencies are taking advantage of existing IT solutions wherever possible in lieu of embarking upon major development and acquisition projects.

Additional details are to be announced by OMB on December 14, 2010.

“The ACT-IAC mission is to advance government and the recommendations we submitted to OMB were developed through a collaborative process that included both government and industry,” said ACT President, Prashant Gaur. “We are delighted to note that much of the Administration’s strategy is consistent with our comments and we look forward to assisting in the implementation of this strategy.”

“While we look forward to the details that are yet to be announced, we commend the Administration on this strategy,” said Andy Robinson, IAC Chair. “We are especially excited by the emphasis on greater communication and collaboration between government and industry. Both parties benefit from such exchanges.”

Prior to today's public announcement, Mr. Kundra briefed the ACT-IAC leadership on the new strategy. ACT-IAC intends to assist the Administration in implementing the strategy to improve the acquisition of major IT systems.

About ACT-IAC – Advancing Government Through Education, Collaboration and Action

ACT-IAC has been recognized as the premier government IT community’s public-private partnership and is an example of how government and industry work together. We are a non-profit educational organization created to advance government in serving the public through the effective application of IT resources. Our education, training, programming and collaboration opportunities enhance and advance the government IT profession. ACT-IAC’s objective, vendor and technology-neutral, and ethical forum allows government and industry to collaborate and improve government through technology.

Learn more about our organization and how to become a member at www.actgov.org or call [phone].