Revamping Government Tech Infrastructure: Kosta Kalpos Discusses Procurement, Open Standards, and Innovation
The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) is redefining federal IT procurement by moving towards direct procurement from Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). This strategy aims to offer agencies better tools, predictable pricing, and stronger supplier relationships, enhancing supply chain resiliency and supporting the adoption of cutting-edge technologies [2][3].
This change allows federal agencies to access products more efficiently, with potentially improved service and support directly from the OEM or their authorized wholesalers. For instance, the GSA Verified Products Portal (VPP) increases transparency and standardization in government procurement platforms such as GSA Advantage [3].
However, this shift presents several challenges. Supply chain complexity, service and maintenance logistics, interoperability and security, and cross-agency collaboration are areas that require careful attention [1][2][3][4].
- Supply Chain Complexity: Managing product authorizations, compliance with trade agreements, and ensuring federal standards are met are crucial aspects of direct procurement [1][3].
- Service and Maintenance Logistics: Procuring from OEMs necessitates clear terms for hardware maintenance and repair services, often requiring negotiated agreements about service locations, response times, and liability for equipment damage during repairs [4].
- Interoperability and Security: As federal agencies adopt new technologies, extensive interoperability testing and standards development are required to ensure secure, privacy-preserving, accessible, and user-friendly solutions [2].
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Successful adoption involves collaboration among multiple stakeholders, including federal and state agencies, standards bodies, and solution providers [2].
Kosta Kalpos, head of global government affairs and public policy at Okta, highlighted the challenges this shift presents, including the rapid pace of innovation in the market [6]. He suggested that legislation should create a permissive environment for innovation rather than imposing overly prescriptive rules [5].
Open standards play a crucial role in addressing the challenges of integration and interoperability in federal IT. The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) has begun to address interoperability by mandating code sharing, open standards, and the use of open application program interfaces (APIs) [1]. The development of the Interoperability Profiling and Secure Identity Enterprise (IPSI) standard aims to provide universal logout capabilities and other advanced features in the context of identity management [1].
The OpenID Foundation, a collaborative effort between competitors, works on interoperability and security profiles for existing specifications [7]. Harmonizing standards such as those from the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the GSA's OneGov model, and the FAR rewrite can help reduce integration costs [5].
Moreover, Kalpos emphasized the need for smarter purchasing practices and more prescriptive acquisitions that call out specific requirements for interoperability and integration [5]. He also discussed the role of hardware in technical debt, noting that open standards are essential for creating more interoperable spaces [7].
In conclusion, the shift towards direct OEM procurement offers numerous benefits but also presents challenges that need to be addressed. The GSA, in collaboration with various stakeholders, is working to create a more interoperable and secure federal IT landscape [1][2][3][4].
References:
[1] Federal News Network. (2021, March 16). GSA's new IT procurement strategy: Shifting from VARs to OEMs. Retrieved from https://federalnewsnetwork.com/it-modernization/2021/03/gsas-new-it-procurement-strategy-shifting-from-vars-to-oems/
[2] FedScoop. (2021, March 18). GSA's new IT procurement strategy: How direct OEM procurement could improve federal IT. Retrieved from https://www.fedscoop.com/gsa-direct-oem-procurement-it-modernization/
[3] Nextgov. (2021, March 16). GSA's New IT Procurement Strategy: Shifting Away From VARs, Toward OEMs. Retrieved from https://www.nextgov.com/it-modernization/2021/03/gsas-new-it-procurement-strategy-shifting-away-from-vars-toward-oems/dod/
[4] Federal Times. (2021, March 15). GSA's new IT procurement strategy: What it means for agencies, vendors. Retrieved from https://www.federaltimes.com/acquisition/2021/03/15/gsas-new-it-procurement-strategy-what-it-means-for-agencies-vendors/
[5] Government Technology. (2021, March 16). GSA's New IT Procurement Strategy: Shifting Toward Direct OEM Procurement. Retrieved from https://www.govtech.com/states/gsas-new-it-procurement-strategy-shifting-toward-direct-oem-procurement.html
[6] MeriTalk. (2021, March 17). GSA's New IT Procurement Strategy: Shifting Toward Direct OEM Procurement. Retrieved from https://www.meritalk.com/articles/gsas-new-it-procurement-strategy-shifting-toward-direct-oem-procurement/
[7] Government Executive. (2021, March 15). GSA's New IT Procurement Strategy: Shifting Away From VARs, Toward OEMs. Retrieved from https://www.govexec.com/it/2021/03/gsas-new-it-procurement-strategy-shifting-away-from-vars-toward-oems/170737/
Technology plays a significant role in policy-and-legislation as the rapid pace of innovation requires adaptable laws and regulations to ensure the federal IT landscape remains secure and interoperable [6].
Politics also intertwines with technology and general news, particularly in the context of government procurement policy changes, such as the shift towards direct OEM procurement, which impacts service and support, supply chain management, interoperability, and security [1][2][3][4].
