Page 14 - FCW, March/April 2021

Teaming Up on Emerging Technologies
the expertise of cutting-edge companies that are not established government contractors. Wennergren noted the surge in the use of OTAs and called them “a revolt against how long it takes to award contracts.”
In one example, DOD is preparing
a request for proposals for 5G-based telemedicine approaches and plans to award the final contract via an OTA. Had DOD used traditional procurement methods,
the technology could have been obsolete before it could be used, said Randy Clark, vice chairman of the National Spectrum Consortium.
Other government efforts include the General Services Administration’s 18F digital consultancy, which was launched in 2014
to help agencies embrace IT modernization and new procurement methods, and the Department of Homeland Security’s Procurement Innovation Lab, which “provides a safe space to test new ideas, share lessons learned and promote best practices,” according to its website. In addition, the Defense Innovation Unit focuses on accelerating the adoption of commercial technology within DOD.
Thriving in a rapidly changing world
On the industry side, FSIs are launching innovation labs that invite small businesses, individuals or groups to test technology ideas with the goal of launching new companies
or having the host company purchase the technology. According to Gartner, those physical or virtual centers help companies stay on the cutting edge, resulting in increased customer satisfaction and revenue growth.
Government agencies also recognize the value of working with small businesses. At a virtual event in January, 30 such companies showcased innovative technologies in advanced electronics, autonomy, sensors, weapons and more for possible inclusion in the Naval Sea Systems Command’s Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer program.
“Partnering with small business brings competition, agility and flexibility,” said Anne Bannister, the command’s small-business director.
DOD is the government’s biggest user of FSIs and spent almost $2.6 billion with those contractors in 2020, according to an IDC
report titled “U.S. Federal Government Systems Integration Forecast, 2020–2023.” The report predicts that federal agencies’ spending on integrators will reach $6.8 billion by the end
of 2023, growing at a modest 0.5% compound annual growth rate compared to the 3.5% rate across industries.
Although the need for FSIs will continue, the demands that agencies place on them are growing more complex. “Agencies will continue looking for trusted partners that understand their industry and that have worked to build
IT ‘stacks’ that address specific government challenges,” IDC researchers wrote. However, integrators “will need to show they can contribute a robust...strategy that targets government needs, including civilian, public safety, identity, defense, case management and infrastructure solutions.”
FSIs have a clear and vital role to play in helping agencies tackle a wide range of challenges, and the alliances that FSIs are building with cutting-edge companies only adds to their importance. Ultimately, those teams are developing mission-critical systems that give agencies the ability to adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing world.
Bringing together FSIs and emerging tech innovators
Michael McCalip, Vice President of Government Programs and Strategy, Carahsoft
During the 40-plus years I’ve worked in the government technology arena, I’ve watched IT transform
from an afterthought to a mission-critical component of national security, citizen services and every facet of government operations.
As the challenges become increasingly complex, partnerships between large federal systems integrators (FSIs) and smaller, emerging companies have proven to be an important element in mission success. FSIs
reduce the risks involved
in developing complex, expensive systems because of their documented past performance on other government projects, and they are particularly skilled at bringing together multiple technologies to deliver a
comprehensive solution. Emerging technology
companies enable FSIs to stay on the leading edge, ahead of new threats and new service requirements. They also collaborate with FSIs to help the government design more creative and cost-effective ways to deploy systems.
When Carahsoft hosts Emerging Technology
Days that put FSI leaders in the same room with up-and-coming technology companies, it’s amazing to see the light bulbs come on
and the enthusiasm increase as these problem-solvers discover new innovations that can help meet the needs of the government as a whole, which tracks all the way down to the individual citizen.
These partnerships enable the capabilities
that make the government more effective, reduce operational costs, improve the quality of services and keep cyberthreats at bay. That’s why Carahsoft is proud of the role we play in bringing these teams together.
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