5 predictions for fiscal 2015

The Information Technology Industry Council's Trey Hodgkins offers his forecast for the coming year.

Trey Hodgkins

1. The unstable budgetary environment drags on. A continuing resolution is likely through at least early December, but election results will determine whether the CR that follows is for a full year or part of an omnibus spending bill.

2. Congress continues advancing public-sector legislation. In the lame-duck session, acquisition reform initiatives might emerge from the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). With many key lawmakers retiring, new leaders on public-sector issues will emerge in Congress.

3. Acquisition reform remains a top priority. Passage of an acquisition reform measure before this Congress adjourns is unlikely, but legislators will focus on implementing stakeholder recommendations in the fiscal 2016 NDAA.

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4. Sequestration rears its ugly head. Congress must address the issue in 2015 in order to avoid the catastrophic mandatory cuts that are slated to return in 2016.

5. Agencies continue driving innovation in acquisition. The rise of the General Services Administration's 18F, the Office of Management and Budget's U.S. Digital Service, the Department of Health and Human Services' Buyers Club and similar programs will demonstrate their potential in 2015.