VanRoekel: Current Law Sufficient To Permit Federal IT Success

Federal agencies don't necessarily need a new information technology reform law to become better in managing projects, said Federal Chief Information Officer Steven VanRoekel while testifying Jan. 22 before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. "I think there's definitely room within the existing law on the policies and implementation of the people side that definitely allows us the flexibility to be successful," VanRoekel said.

What is a challenge, he said, is that money for federal IT spending typically must be spent within the fiscal year for which Congress appropriates it. "So, within existing law, you have the authority by and the ability to do what you need to do to be successful?" asked Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.), the newly appointed chairman of the government operations subcommittee. "I do believe so," VanRoekel responded.

The committee chairman, Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) has a draft legislative proposal that would make changes to the way the government procures IT and strengthen the role of federal chief information officers...