Software acquisition of high-cost engineering and specialty applications for federal agencies is a complex process shaped by stringent regulations. While these rules ensure transparency and accountability, they often hinder agile acquisition.
As agencies contend with mounting demands for engineering and specialized software, such as increase in defense-related projects or digital transformation initiatives within federal agencies, the need for streamlined acquisition pathways has become pressing.
Regulatory Complexity Slows Federal Software Procurement
A study by Foundry reveals that 32% of IT decision-makers across different industries cite government regulations as the top external barrier to IT purchases, while 30% identify compliance requirements as a major internal challenge, second only to skill shortages at 41%.
Federal software acquisition operates within a stringent regulatory framework designed to safeguard national interests, ensure fair competition, and maintain fiscal accountability. However, these objectives often conflict with the growing need for agile procurement. Extensive compliance requirements, documentation, and multi-tiered reviews can delay decision-making, impeding the timely delivery of critical software.
For agencies like the Department of Defense (DoD) and NASA, which rely heavily on specialized engineering, simulation, and design software, acquisition pathways are particularly challenging. Strict adherence to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and agency-specific guidelines often leads to overlapping or conflicting priorities. For example, FAR may mandate competitive bidding, while agency rules emphasize rapid acquisition or technical specificity. These complexities create bottlenecks, extending timelines and requiring significant resources to reconcile regulatory compliance with operational demands.
32% of IT decision-makers across industries identify government regulations as the greatest external barrier hindering critical IT purchasing decisions.
GSA: A Big Boost to Federal Software Procurement
The US General Services Administration (GSA) offers contract vehicles, such as the GSA Schedule, that allow federal agencies to streamline software acquisition by providing a pre-vetted marketplace of products and services that meet federal standards.
These contract vehicles simplify the procurement process by eliminating the need for lengthy reviews, negotiations, and compliance assessments with each purchase, as all vendors on the GSA Schedule have already been evaluated for quality, pricing, and compliance with federal regulations.
By consolidating approved suppliers and establishing standardized contract terms, GSA contract vehicles minimize procurement delays and reduce administrative overhead, allowing agencies to quickly access the tools they need to support critical operations.
External Guidance Necessary
GSA contract vehicles simplify vendor selection for federal agencies, but IT decision-makers must still navigate complex compliance standards and procedural mandates. These challenges hinder rapid procurement, particularly for costly engineering licenses vital to mission-critical projects, often extending timelines even when agility is prioritized.
A shortage of skilled IT personnel within the government further exacerbates these issues. Without experts to manage technical assessments and regulatory complexities, agencies face inefficiencies, underutilized resources, and potential non-compliance. This combination of regulatory burden and limited internal expertise underscores the need for external advisors with software and regulatory expertise to help agencies secure compliant, high-performance solutions that meet both immediate and long-term goals.
Address Regulatory Bottlenecks with Open iT
Open iT, a GSA-certified provider of software license management solutions, assists federal agencies in overcoming regulatory barriers that impede the acquisition of mission-critical engineering applications. Through its managed services, Open iT enables procurement teams to collaborate with license management experts who tailor software recommendations to meet specific agency requirements while ensuring compliance with federal regulations, including the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and agency-specific standards.
Open iT’s consultants meticulously assess vendor contracts to ensure alignment with regulatory requirements, thereby reducing administrative overhead during vendor selection and contract negotiation. This approach streamlines the procurement process, facilitating the faster acquisition of essential software.
With extensive experience working with several U.S. government agencies, including NASA and Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), Open iT has developed deep expertise in navigating the unique needs and challenges faced by federal offices. This history of collaboration with government entities equips Open iT to deliver tailored, compliant solutions that accelerate software procurement while ensuring long-term performance and regulatory alignment.
Never let government regulations stifle federal software acquisition. Talk to Open iT and let’s streamline your process!
