GAO begins plans for a 5-year IT modernization contract

The Government Accountability Office is crafting an acquisition strategy for IT modernization, software development, and maintenance services.

GAO’s Information Systems and Technology Services (ISTS) is looking to migrate its data center infrastructure and non-cloud services, according to solicitation documents. It wants to shift data center infrastructure to the cloud as a means of maximizing both software as a service (SaaS) and infrastructure as a service (IaaS).

The agency wants to establish a DevOps operational model, and transition ISTS contractual structure of physical facilities and buildings support from government-owned contractor operated to contractor-owned contractor-operated.

GAO wants to increase ISTS’ performance, information security, IT agility, and delivery speed. It also intends to create a more predictable and consistent ISTS budget and incentivizing innovations from industry partners.

ISTS maintains GAO’s IT infrastructure, applications and systems and provides the publications and distribution support services.

GAO is considering various contracting options, such as a single- or multiple-award contract or hosting the competition through a governmentwide acquisition contract. It anticipates a five-year contract.

GAO’s current contract is with CSRA, valued at roughly $150 million.

GAO released its responses to industry questions Jan. 22 but is still accepting questions until Feb. 2.