In search of a bolder procurement process

A group of West Coast analysts and public officials want to change the slow, cautious federal IT procurement process by casting a wider net for faster, bolder ideas among technology companies and others that aren't necessarily steeped in the government's culture.

The group, Public Spend Forum, is asking contractors that do business with the federal government and those that expressly avoid working for federal, state or local agencies to share what they believe are the biggest barriers to competing for contracts. Results of the study are expected to be released in early March.

The study is based on conversations that include industry/government roundtables and surveys. The latest roundtable discussion on Feb. 21 at San Jose City Hall included San Francisco CIO Marc Touitou; Rep. Mike Honda (D-Calif.), who represents a portion of Silicon Valley; Mike McNerney, former cyber policy adviser in the Office of the Secretary of Defense; and Anthony Robbins, vice president of federal for Brocade.

Panelists contended that the federal procurement environment's aversion to risk and its glacial pace are the biggest barriers to innovation and attracting more suppliers.

"Procurement people have a big red button in front of them to hit reject," Touitou said, and a mentality that suppliers have to be "qualified to engage with the government." Both factors make many businesses reluctant to compete for government IT contracts.

They can also contribute to problems with big government contracts, which can lack the flexibility to incorporate advancing technology, said Raj Sharma, founder of Censeo Consulting Group and co-chairman of the Editorial Board at Public Spend Forum.

Sharma said he hopes talking with a diverse group of companies that aren't necessarily involved with government contracts can lead to innovative approaches and business-savvy regulations.

Honda and Rep. James Lankford (R-Okla.) have championed national legislation that seeks to create 30 structured, non-paying positions at federal agencies so entrepreneurs could work with the public and share their expertise with agencies, similar to the role the presidential fellows play.

Note: This article was updated on Feb. 25 to include Anthony Robbins' current role with Brocade.