U.S. General Services Administration
18F Partners with the State of Wisconsin’s Department of Workforce Development on IT Modernization Procurement Efforts
WASHINGTON — The U.S. General Services Administration announced today a partnership between the state of Wisconsin’s Department of Workforce Development (DWD) and 18F, an office within GSA’s Technology Transformation Services (TTS). Providing an agile approach to acquisitions, the 18F team will support DWD with the procurement processes necessary to bring in industry expertise to help deliver the modernization of Wisconsin’s Unemployment Insurance (UI) system. Through product thinking, user-centered design, and modular contracting, 18F will deliver an evidence-based solicitation package with the ultimate goal of issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a series of RFPs that lead to the selection of a highly qualified vendor team or teams as soon as reasonably possible, but no later than 10 weeks after the project commences. DWD’s contracting team will execute the final buy(s).
“By bringing more agile methodologies to the establishment and delivery of contracts we can derisk the acquisition process for both government and industry,” said FAS Deputy Commissioner and TTS Director, Dave Zvenyach. “The opportunity to provide this support to DWD reinforces TTS’ goal to bring the best of commercial technologies and practices into government.”
“Technology is always evolving and complexities emerge as you get deeper into delivery. Modular contracting is an approach that allows teams to pivot to the solutions user’s need,” said 18F Acting Deputy Director and Acquisitions Director Ashley Owens. “Focusing on the user, we hope to provide an approach for DWD that can be replicated and scaled.”
Agile acquisition is a contracting method that breaks up large, complex procurements into multiple tightly-scoped projects to implement technology systems in successive, interoperable increments. 18F will provide the technical expertise to help DWD conduct user research, develop the procurement package, hold an acquisition workshop to draft a solicitation, help identify qualified vendors, and de-risk the procurement through prototyping.
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About 18F: An office within the Technology Transformation Services at the General Services Administration (GSA) that empowers government agencies to design, develop, and buy digital services that improve the user experience of government. 18F helps agencies define their strategy and work towards a solution, from discovery through acquisition. By working side-by-side and coaching on design and procurement best practices, we guide our partner agencies while we build successful projects together and prepare them to continue their modernization efforts into the future. Visit 18f.gsa.gov or follow us at @18F
About Technology Transformation Services (TTS): A part of Federal Acquisition Services (FAS), TTS applies modern methodologies and technologies to improve the lives of the public and public servants. TTS helps agencies make their services more accessible, efficient, and effective with modern applications, platforms, processes, personnel, and software solutions. TTS offices include 18F, Centers of Excellence, Presidential Innovation Fellows, and a diverse portfolio of TTS Solutions, including initiatives like FedRAMP, USAGov, digital.gov, cloud.gov and login.gov. Visit tts.gsa.gov or follow us at @GSA_TTS.
About GSA: GSA provides centralized procurement for the federal government, managing a real estate portfolio of more than 370 million rentable square feet nationwide and overseeing approximately $68 billion in annual contracts. GSA’s mission is to deliver value and savings in real estate, acquisition, technology, and other mission-support services across government, in support of the Biden-Harris administration’s four priorities of climate; COVID response; economic recovery; and diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility. For more information, visit: www.gsa.gov and follow us at @USGSA.