Five technology trade organizations have asked the Senate to add as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal 2018 a bipartisan bill that would authorize federal agencies to establish funding mechanisms to update their information technology systems.
The trade groups wrote in a Wednesday letter to Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain (R-Arizona) and Sen. Jack Reed (D-Rhode Island), SASC ranking member that the Modernizing Government Technology Act of 2017 marks the initial step to help agencies build up their cybersecurity posture and fund technology investments.
Sens. Jerry Moran (R-Kansas), Tom Udall (D-New Mexico), Steve Daines (R-Montana) and Mark Warner (D-Virginia)Â proposed the MGT Act in the upper chamber, while a similar version of the bill was passed by the House in May.
“Inconsistent funding cycles inhibit agency ability to plan for and procure the latest innovations to address mission IT needs and force agencies to instead maintain older systems for mission continuity,†the groups added.
The IT Alliance for the Public Sector co-wrote the letter with the Professional Services Council, BSA | The Software Alliance, Security Industry Association and TechNet.
The Senate is expected to hold a final vote on the FY 2018 NDAA Monday after the chamber decided to skip debate on proposed amendments to the defense spending bill.
