DHS IT priorities focused on data, agile and open source

Our Washington Technology Industry Days are supposed to have plenty of information on upcoming opportunities, so here’s a rundown of what Homeland Security Department officials are saying some of their top needs are.

In general:

• Data fusion and integration
• User experience – lessons learned from Healthcare.gov means that there is a need to take a more holistic view of systems and solutions.
• Agile development
• Digital Service
• Open source

More specific opportunities:

Harrison Smith gave a detailed breakdown of fiscal 2016 areas where DHS will be spending money:

IT & Telecom

• Enterprise Computing Services
• Enterprise Desktop Productivity Suite
• Reverse Auction

Professional services

• Architecture and Engineering Services
• Background Investigation Services
• Centers of Excellence
• Language Services
• PACTS II

For more details, check out the DHS acquisition planning forecast system. 

FEMA also released a set of draft performance work statements dealing with IT operations and maintenance, applications engineering, security operations center support, assessment and authorization support and information systems security. Click here for the FBO.gov posting.

Carey Webster, a market analyst from Deltek also gave a review of DHS procurements that are approaching their expiration dates in the next two years. Industry should be on the lookout for sources sought notices or other information coming soon on these:

• TACCOM
• TABSS
• Enterprise IT Solutions BPA
• CDM CMaaS
• First Source

Even if these contracts aren't recompeted per se, the work will still need to be absorbed into another vehicle.

Webster also called out the DHS Security Operation Center Services contract. An RFP is expected in January for the $395 million contract.

The impression I got from the speakers is that a lot is in flux at DHS as far as which vehicles to use and which will vehicles will continue. For example, the Office of Management and Budget is making a push to require agencies to use Schedule 70, NIH CIO-CS and NASA SEWP contracts as the primary vehicles for buying hardware.

So, what will that mean for FirstSource?

I also got the impression that many agencies might not embrace that initiative as fully as OMB leaders might like. We’ll have to see.

See my other blog posting from the industry day for a look at some of the policy and management priorities at DHS.