Information Systems and Technology Services
Stored: Information Systems and Technology Services
| Type | Program |
|---|---|
| Sponsor Organization | Information Systems and Technology Services Office |
| Top Organization | Government Accountability Office |
| Creation Legislation | Government Accountability Office Act of 2008 |
| Website | Website |
| Purpose | The Information Systems and Technology Services program provides technology support and audits federal IT systems to enhance agency efficiency and security. It aims to deliver high-quality IT services and promote effective information resource management across government. |
| Program Start | 2008 |
| Initial Funding | Congressional appropriations |
| Duration | Ongoing |
| Historic | No |
Information Systems and Technology Services (ISTS) is a Government Accountability Office initiative that delivers critical IT support to GAO’s 3,200 employees across 11 field offices and audits federal information systems, managing over $97 billion in annual federal IT spending to ensure efficient, secure, and cost-effective technology solutions as of 2025.
Established as a mission team under GAO’s 2008 restructuring, ISTS employs a mix of federal employees and contractors—handling a workforce of approximately 300—to provide network operations, cybersecurity, and systems development, issuing over 100 IT-related reports annually (e.g., GAO-24-106191), influencing billions in savings and supporting GAO’s broader mission to enhance government accountability.
Goals
- Deliver secure, efficient IT services to support GAO’s auditing mission.[1]
- Enhance federal IT system performance and security, targeting $97 billion in annual spending.
- Promote effective information resource management across government agencies.
Organization
The Information Systems and Technology Services program is sponsored by its dedicated office within GAO, operating under the Government Accountability Office’s Chief Operating Officer and Comptroller General.[2] Funding comes from Congressional appropriations, with FY 2025 at $885 million for GAO, supporting a team of about 300 ISTS staff—federal employees and contractors—across 11 field offices, managing IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, and audits aligned with GAO’s Quality Assurance Framework.
The leader at the GAO level is the Comptroller General of the United States, currently Gene L. Dodaro (as of February 20, 2025), with ISTS directed by a Managing Director in the Senior Executive Service.
History
The Information Systems and Technology Services program was formalized under the Government Accountability Office Act of 2008, signed into law on July 7, 2008, as Public Law 110-323, enhancing GAO’s structure to include dedicated IT support and oversight amid growing federal technology reliance.[3] Evolving from GAO’s 1921 auditing roots and post-2004 IT focus, it issued its first major IT report in 2009 and by 2025 has influenced over $54 billion in savings through reports like the FY 2023 Government-Wide Contracting Snapshot, adapting to 2025 challenges like AI integration and cybersecurity.
Funding
Initial funding in 2008 came from Congressional appropriations, with GAO’s FY 2008 budget at $507 million supporting ISTS’s establishment.[4] Funding began in 2008 and continues, with FY 2025 at $885 million for GAO, a portion allocated to ISTS for IT services, staff, and audits yielding a $79 return per dollar invested in 2023, with no end date as appropriations sustain operations like 2025’s cybersecurity enhancements.
Implementation
The program is implemented through IT service delivery—network operations, systems development, and cybersecurity—for GAO staff and audits of federal IT systems via GAO’s Quality Assurance Framework, issuing over 100 annual reports.[5] It operates continuously with no end date, supporting GAO’s 3,200 employees and auditing $97 billion in IT spending, adapting in 2025 to AI and cloud security priorities.
Related
- Contracting and National Security Acquisitions
- Government Accountability Office Audit Policy and Quality Assurance
- Voluntary Protection Programs
External links
- https://www.gao.gov/about/what-gao-does/information-systems-and-technology-services
- https://www.gao.gov/about - GAO Overview
- https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-24-106191 - FY 2023 Contracting Snapshot
- wikipedia:Government Accountability Office
Social media
References
- ↑ "Information Systems and Technology Services," U.S. GAO, https://www.gao.gov/about/what-gao-does/information-systems-and-technology-services, accessed February 19, 2025.
- ↑ "GAO Organization," U.S. GAO, https://www.gao.gov/about, accessed February 19, 2025.
- ↑ "GAO History," U.S. GAO, https://www.gao.gov/about/history, accessed February 19, 2025.
- ↑ "GAO Annual Report 2008," U.S. GAO, https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-09-1sp.pdf, accessed February 19, 2025.
- ↑ "ISTS Implementation," U.S. GAO, https://www.gao.gov/about/what-gao-does/information-systems-and-technology-services, accessed February 19, 2025.
