The Department of Veteran’s Affairs Technology Acquisition Center (TAC) has saved the day as it relates to the new Administration’s critical digital service project that is slated to meet the needs of millions of deserving Americans. The dynamic team at the TAC took over this stalled project from the Department of XYZ, who many believed to be a leader in the information technology acquisition space. After several failed attempts by Department XYZ, officials at the United States Digital Service team suggested the TAC be called in to meet this challenge. The TAC did not disappoint, pulling off a contract award in record time, using an innovative evaluation approach that has given the Administration high confidence that the selected vendor will be able to perform successfully. When asked how it was the TAC was able to do what so many others were not… the response was a commitment to the mission, expert training, mentoring and an openness to innovate and a willingness to appropriately resource along with a really intelligent staff. This author was intrigued by this TAC organization and requested an interview with their leadership to learn more so that it could be shared with you all, my loyal blog followers!
I learned the TAC has a multi-disciplined workforce. Unlike the typical federal contracting organization, the TAC employs expert engineers who were former program managers working on large Department of Defense programs. These engineers have a zeal to learn new techniques and the organization annually ensures they receive technical training so their skills do not become outdated. As part of an acquisition organization, they have also learned a lot about Federal Contracting and coupled with the TAC’s DITAP certified expertly trained Contracting officers and Contract Specialists, along with the organization’s incredible cost and pricing specialized cadre, the TAC is clearly a “Best in Class” organization.
Recognizing that we live in quite a litigious society, I asked their leadership, “What about your protest record? The response, was nothing short of shocking! In their history, the leadership stated they could count on one hand how many times they needed to take corrective action. I validated this information and it’s all true!! How could that be I asked? Indeed, the TAC team sets the bar high. They use an IPT approach to their acquisitions which is inclusive of attorneys. The group progresses together, with their attorneys, through the acquisition so they are always on solid footing. Many of you may be more familiar with Federal acquisition organizations that set strategy in a contracting bubble, then toss documents over the fence for attorney review moments prior to soliciting and similarly, the attorneys get another toss right prior to award. This clearly is not how the TAC operates. This acquisition organization is fortunate to be supported by a large cadre of innovative, co-located, experienced information technology attorneys. These attorneys enjoy their craft and similarly, enjoy finding ways to support their TAC client as it looks to garner the best IT goods and services for its customers in the most cutting edge manner.
So, this intrigued blogger asked the TAC leadership, what’s next? They shared the future for the TAC is indeed bright. Due to its track record of excellence, work is pouring in from outside Agencies. This in turn allows the TAC staff a variety of buys with which to work and keeps things interesting-just how they like it! The leadership shared they will continue to innovate and use their multi-disciplined team approach to meet mission. They also plan to move to a larger facility in the near future as the organization has outgrown its present location. With all of the work that has come in, they’ve been given permission to expand their workforce well beyond that which had ever been anticipated. Further, their customer training program in information technology acquisition has attracted so many students from within and outside the Agency that an entire floor in the new space will be a dedicated training center inclusive of a state of the art Acquisition Innovation Lab. As my time with the TAC leadership came to a close I found myself wondering, hmmm, I wonder if they need a good blogger on staff? I’d really enjoy being part of the TAC, it appears to be a pretty special place.
Digital IT Acquisition Professional (DITAP) Program Blog 