“The federal government invested more than $90 billion on IT in fiscal year 2016. However, prior IT expenditures have produced failed projects…. Congress enacted IT acquisition reform legislation (referred to as the Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act, or FITARA). Among other things, OMB’s FITARA implementation guidance requires covered agencies’ chief acquisition officers to identify IT contracts for the CIOs to review and approve…”
“GAO’s objectives were to determine the extent to which (1) federal agencies identify IT contracts and how much is invested in them, and (2) federal agency CIOs are reviewing and approving IT acquisitions…”
“GAO is making 39 recommendations, including that agencies ensure that acquisition offices are involved in identifying IT and issue related guidance; and to ensure IT acquisitions are reviewed according to OMB guidance…”
“The Secretary of HHS should ensure that IT acquisition plans or strategies are reviewed and approved according to OMB’s guidance. (Recommendation 10)… The Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) should ensure that the office of the CAO is involved in the process to identify IT acquisitions. (Recommendation 27)… The Secretary of VA should ensure that IT acquisition plans or strategies are reviewed and approved according to OMB’s guidance. (Recommendation 28)…”
Source: Agencies Need to Involve Chief Information Officers in Reviewing Billions of Dollars in Acquisitions – January 10, 2018. GAO.gov. Read the full report here.
