GSA considers free cloud toolbox for other agencies
The General Services Administration is looking to add yet another program to help federal government departments get to the cloud, this time at no cost to agencies.
The Office of Citizen Services and Innovative Technologies — GSA’s line of business that develops and maintains a free collection of citizen-centered digital shared services for federal agencies, like the Digital Analytics Program, Data.gov and the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program office — issued a request for information last week on the possibility of acquiring “cloud portfolio analysis support services,” or a collection of tools, platforms and services to help agencies in their transition away from legacy systems.
Through its efforts with the standards-setting FedRAMP and a cloud program management office on the acquisition side, GSA has made significant strides as a guide and adviser helping federal agencies in their journey to cloud, the RFI says. “However, there are still distinct needs and services GSA could provide to assist agencies greater in their move to the cloud.”
“Currently, FedRAMP helps accelerate the adoption of secure cloud solutions, but we know that agencies could use additional help,” GSA Spokeswoman Tania Mejia told FedScoop. “This RFI is the first step in getting OCSIT positioned so that it can provide a full portfolio of products and services that will help agencies research, procure, and effectively use cloud services.”
“No matter where an agency is on their journey to the cloud, OCSIT wants to be able to deliver a product or service that will help an agency get to the cloud faster, with less confusion, and avoid any errors along the way,” the RFI states.
Like OCSIT’s other services, the intention is that the portfolio would be free to agency customers.
OSCIT anticipates the acquired portfolio would cost between $1 million and $3 million, and it wants to procure it in an agile, startup-like manner, Mejia said.
“OCSIT is looking for industry partners to help grow this portfolio in a lean, startup way by focusing directly on agency needs — creating a portfolio based on true demand,” she said.
The RFI lists several questions for vendors to comment organized around five broad topics, like their experience delivering governmentwide programs and approach to building such a technology program. Vendors have until Feb. 3 to respond.
