Director's Corner

Thank you for your patience while awaiting the extension of CIO-SP3. We value you as our customer and want to make sure your IT mission objectives can be awarded better – faster – cheaper with our suite of IT contracting vehicles. It is no secret that the award of the CIO-SP4 GWAC has been delayed for some time.  The reality is the predicament around CIO-SP4 is nothing new. In recent years, several GWACs, as well as agency specific multiple award contracts, have faced similar challenges with lingering protests, and some of those solicitations have been canceled altogether.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the way the federal government engages with constituents. From answering questions using virtual assistants, or chatbots, to directing requests to the appropriate agency within the government to filling out forms, AI is revolutionizing the way the federal government does business. The path forward for AI is critically important. And, because the technology can be so pervasive, it is imperative that there are established standards to ensure constituent safety and security. The recent Executive Order (EO) attempts to do just that.

Joint Proposal Calls for Amendment of the FAR to Support Environmental Concerns.

A joint proposal requesting to amend the current Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to focus on the environment and sustainability and to implement a requirement for agencies to procure sustainable products and services to the maximum extent practicable was issued on August 3, 2023, by the Defense Department (DoD), General Services Administration (GSA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

There is an adage that simply says, “Perfection is attained by slow degrees; it requires the hand of time.”  This adage is quite apt for the Chief Information Officer-Solutions and Partners 4 (CIO-SP4) solicitation.  In our ongoing quest to bring to market the best Government Wide Acquisition Contract (GWAC), we’ve, unfortunately, had to wait on the hand of time.

According to Bloomberg, information technology (IT) continues to be a large source of federal market growth, accounting for more than $76.4 billion dollars. Most of these dollars are typically spent through commodities, solutions, and services purchased from a myriad of companies operating within the United States. But, with so many vendors competing for federal dollars, how can government agencies ensure fair opportunity in government contracting? Before we answer this question, let’s first examine what fair opportunity is and why it is important.

I am sure you are all familiar with the story of the tortoise and the hare.  As the fable goes, the tortoise and hare were in a race. Considering himself a shoo-in for the win, the hare approached the race at full speed and, when he found himself well ahead of the tortoise, stopped to take a nap. Meanwhile, the tortoise kept running slowly, but steadily, until he passed right by the hare and, ultimately, won!  The moral of this fable is simple: slow and steady wins the race. In the case of acquisitions, there is no truer statement.

Late last year, the United States Office of Management and Budget (OMB) published a memorandum, M-22-18, that required federal agencies to comply with the guidelines regarding ensuring the safety and integrity of third-party software on federal information technology systems. This memorandum applied to the use of firmware, operating systems, applications, cloud-based software and general software.

On January 20, 2021, President Joe Biden signed his first Executive Order (EO), EO 13985, which called for “a comprehensive approach to advancing equity for all, including people of color and others who have been historically underserved, marginalized, and adversely affected by persistent poverty and inequality.” At NITAAC, we are committed to advancing equity across the Federal Government and strongly believe that by leveling the playing field for all socioeconomic groups, we create a federal contracting experience that benefits everyone.

On behalf of the team at NITAAC, let me be the first to wish you a Happy New Year! As we usher in 2023, I know there is a lot of anticipation about the Chief Information Officer-Solutions and Partners 4 (CIO-SP4) Government-Wide Acquisition Contract (GWAC). CIO-SP4 has been in the news lately, but unfortunately much of the press has covered the procurement with some incorrect information.

The end of the year often marks a period of gratitude, where many pause to take time to celebrate and reflect on what they are thankful for. From their family to good health, to their jobs, Americans across the country can be found proudly declaring, “I am Thankful For.” NITAAC is no different and as we prepare to close out 2022, I wanted to reflect on what I am thankful for at NITAAC.