“What GAO Found…”
“In addition, in fiscal year 2021 the [Data Center Optimization Initiative (DCOI)] agencies reported mixed progress against Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) four data center optimization targets for virtualization, data center availability, advance energy metering, and underutilized servers. (See figure) Seven agencies had completed their optimization efforts or had been granted exemptions by OMB; therefore, reporting on optimization metrics for these agencies was not applicable.
Agencies did not meet all of their targets for various reasons, including technical and budget constraints. GAO has made 126 recommendations since 2016 to help agencies meet their DCOI targets, and the agencies have implemented 101 of them. Until agencies fully address all previous GAO recommendations to meet their optimization performance targets, they are unlikely to fully realize the expected benefits, including cost savings from DCOI…”
“Why GAO Did This Study
In December 2014, Congress enacted federal IT acquisition reform legislation known as FITARA, which included provisions related to ongoing federal data center consolidation efforts. The high cost and low utilization led OMB to establish a coordinated, government-wide effort to improve the efficiency, performance, and environmental footprint of federal data center activities. OMB’s Federal Chief Information Officer launched DCOI to build on prior efforts by requiring, among other things, that agencies consolidate inefficient infrastructure, optimize existing facilities, and transition to more efficient infrastructure, such as cloud services.
Congress included a provision in FITARA for GAO to annually review agencies’ data center inventories and strategies. This report addresses (1) agencies’ progress on data center closures and the related savings that have been achieved, and agencies’ plans for future closures and savings; and (2) agencies’ progress against OMB’s data center optimization targets…”
“Recommendations
GAO reiterates that agencies need to address the 25 recommendations previously made to them that have not yet been implemented. Of the 24 DCOI agencies and OMB, six agreed with the information presented in the report, eight neither agreed nor disagreed, and 11 had no comments…”
Access the full 48-page report here.
Source: Data Center Optimization: Agencies Continue to Report Mixed Progress Against Omb’s Targets – March 8, 2022. GAO.
