Introduction: What are Federal Systems Integrators, and why are they important?
Federal Systems Integrators (FSIs) are companies and organizations that provide information technology (IT) solutions and services to the federal government. They connect various systems and applications, ensure data security, improve communication, and streamline workflows. Federal Systems Integrators support the government’s mission-critical functions: defense, homeland security, health care, education, and transportation. FSIs also help the government achieve its strategic goals, such as innovation, efficiency, transparency, and customer service.
The Top 100 Federal Systems Integrators: A ranking of the largest and most influential IT providers to the federal government based on their revenue, contracts, and capabilities
According to the Washington Technology Top 100 list, the top 10 FSIs in 2023 are:
- Leidos: A Fortune 500 company that provides IT, engineering, and science solutions to the federal government. Leidos has a diverse portfolio of contracts, including the Defense Healthcare Management System Modernization (DHMSM), the Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure (JEDI) cloud, and the Next Generation Enterprise Network (NGEN) for the Navy and Marine Corps.
General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT):
- A business unit of General Dynamics that delivers IT services and systems to the federal government. GDIT has cyber, cloud, artificial intelligence (AI) expertise and digital modernization. GDIT supports several significant contracts, such as the Enterprise IT as a Service (EITaaS) for the Air Force, the Intelligence Community IT Enterprise (IC ITE) for the CIA, and the Alliant 2 government-wide acquisition contract (GWAC).
Booz Allen Hamilton: A global firm that provides management and technology solutions to the federal government. Booz Allen Hamilton has a strong presence in the defense, intelligence, and civil sectors. Booz Allen Hamilton is involved in many high-profile projects, such as the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center (JAIC), the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC), and the Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions (EIS) contract.
- Perspecta: A leading provider of enterprise IT solutions to the federal government. Perspecta offers services in cloud, cyber, analytics, and engineering. Perspecta manages some of the most complex and sensitive programs for the government, such as the Next Generation Identification System (NGI) for the FBI, the Navy-Marine Corps Intranet (NMCI), and the National Background Investigation Services (NBIS).
- SAIC: A premier technology integrator that delivers solutions across the federal government. SAIC has space, defense, intelligence, health care, and energy capabilities. SAIC works on some of the most challenging and innovative projects for the government, such as the NASA Integrated Communications Services (NICS), the Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC), and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA).
- CACI International: A leading IT and professional services provider to the federal government. CACI has expertise in cyber, intelligence, electronic warfare, and logistics. CACI supports some of the most critical missions for the government, such as the Joint Improvised-Threat Defeat Organization (JIDO), the Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO), and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
- ManTech International is a trusted federal government partner providing mission-focused IT solutions and services. ManTech has experience in cyber, intelligence, counter-terrorism, and space. ManTech delivers some of the most advanced and secure systems for the government, such as the Persistent Cyber Training Environment (PCTE), the Joint Regional Security Stacks (JRSS), and the Space Force Enterprise Ground Services (EGS)
- Jacobs: A global technical, professional, and scientific service to the federal government. Jacobs has expertise in nuclear, environmental, aerospace, and infrastructure. Jacobs supports some of the most critical and complex programs for the government, such as the Hanford Site cleanup, the NASA Human Landing System (HLS), and the Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).
- Accenture Federal Services: A subsidiary of Accenture that provides IT and consulting services to the federal government. Accenture Federal Services has capabilities in areas such as cloud, digital, analytics, and security. Accenture Federal Services helps the government transform and modernize its operations, such as the U.S. Census Bureau, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
These are just some of the top Federal Systems Integrators that serve the federal government. Many more FSIs offer the government valuable and innovative IT solutions and services.
The Challenges and Opportunities for Federal Systems Integrators: An analysis of the current and future trends, issues, and innovations that affect the federal IT market, such as cloud computing, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and modernization
The federal IT market constantly evolves and changes, presenting challenges and opportunities for Federal Systems Integrators. Some of the critical factors that influence the national IT market are:
- Cloud computing: Cloud computing delivers computing services over the internet, such as servers, storage, databases, networking, software, analytics, and intelligence. Cloud computing offers many benefits to the federal government, such as scalability, flexibility, cost-efficiency, security, and innovation. However, cloud computing also poses some challenges to FSIs, such as compliance with federal regulations and standards, migrating legacy systems and data, integrating multiple cloud platforms and providers, and managing cloud resources and performance.
- Cybersecurity: Cybersecurity protects information systems and networks from cyber threats, such as hackers, malware, ransomware, phishing, and denial-of-service attacks. Cybersecurity is a top priority for the federal government, as it faces increasing and sophisticated cyberattacks from various actors, such as nation-states, terrorists, criminals, and insiders. Cybersecurity also requires constant vigilance and adaptation as new technologies and vulnerabilities emerge. Federal Systems Integrators are crucial in providing cybersecurity solutions and services to the federal government, such as risk assessment, threat detection and response, encryption, identity and access management, and incident recovery. However, FSIs need help delivering cybersecurity solutions and services, such as complying with federal regulations and standards, securing their systems and data, recruiting and retaining skilled cyber professionals, and collaborating with other stakeholders in the cyber ecosystem.
- Artificial intelligence: Artificial intelligence (AI) is the intelligence processes by machines, such as learning, reasoning, problem-solving, decision-making, and natural language processing. AI can transform the federal government’s operations and capabilities by enhancing efficiency, accuracy, productivity, innovation, and customer service. AI can also help the federal government address some of its most pressing challenges, such as national security, health care, education, and the environment. Federal Systems Integrators are at the forefront of developing and deploying AI solutions and services to the federal government, such as data analytics, machine learning, computer vision, natural language processing, speech recognition, and chatbots. However, Federal Systems Integrators also encounter some challenges in implementing AI solutions and services, such as ensuring the ethical use and governance of AI, managing data quality and security,
- Modernization is upgrading or replacing outdated systems and infrastructure with newer or more efficient ones. Modernization is necessary for the federal government, as it operates many legacy systems that are costly to maintain, vulnerable to cyberattacks, incompatible with new technologies, and unable to meet current and future needs. Modernization can also help the federal government reduce operational costs, improve security posture, enhance service delivery, and increase innovation potential. Federal Systems Integrators are essential in supporting and executing the modernization efforts of the federal government by providing solutions and services such as system integration, data migration, cloud adoption, network optimization, and hardware refresh. However, FSIs also encounter some challenges in delivering modernization solutions.
- Digital transformation: Digital transformation uses digital technologies to create new or existing business cultures and customer experiences, changing business and requirements. Digital transformation is a strategic imperative for the federal government as it seeks to improve its performance, agility, resilience, and competitiveness. Digital transformation can also enable the federal government to deliver better services and outcomes to its citizens, employees, and partners. Federal Systems Integrators facilitate and accelerate the federal government’s digital transformation by providing solutions and services such as cloud migration, application modernization, business process automation, user experience design, and change management. However, FSIs also face some challenges in driving digital transformation for the federal government, such as overcoming cultural and organizational resistance,
- The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) Enterprise Collaboration Tool (ECT): A project that provides a secure, cloud-based collaboration platform for the Department of Defense (DoD) personnel and mission partners. The ECT enables users to communicate, share information, and collaborate across different devices, networks, locations, and organizations. The ECT is powered by Microsoft Teams, a leading collaboration tool that offers chat, voice, video, file sharing, and online meeting capabilities. Microsoft delivered the ECT in partnership with GDIT, Leidos, and Perspecta, who provided cloud engineering, integration, migration, and support services. The DoD community has widely adopted the ECT, with over 4 million users and 2 billion minutes of voice and video usage per month. The ECT has also improved the DoD’s operational efficiency, security, and resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The Centers Medicare and Medicaid Services Quality Payment Program (QPP): A program that aims to improve the care beneficiaries by rewarding clinicians who provide high-quality and low-cost maintenance. The QPP comprises the Merit-based Incentive System (MIPS) Advanced Alternative Payment Models (APMs). The QPP is supported by a complex IT system that collects, validates, analyzes, and reports data from millions of clinicians and healthcare organizations. Booz Allen Hamilton developed and maintained The QPP IT system in collaboration with other Federal Systems Integrators, such as Accenture Federal Services, CACI International, SAIC, and ManTech International. The QPP IT system has successfully processed over 1.2 billion data points from over 1.2 million clinicians and 540,000 healthcare organizations. The QPP IT system has also enabled CMS to provide timely and accurate feedback and payment adjustments to clinicians based on their performance.
- The (NASA) National Aeronautics and Space (ACP) Administration Commercial Crew Program: A program that facilitates the development and operation of commercial crew vehicles that transport astronauts International Station (ISS). The CCP is a public-private partnership between NASA and two commercial companies: SpaceX and Boeing. The CCP aims to restore America’s human spaceflight capability, reduce the cost and risk of access to low Earth orbit, and foster a competitive and innovative space industry. The CCP is supported by several Federal Systems Integrators that provide various services and solutions to NASA and its commercial partners, such as Jacobs, SAIC, Leidos, GDIT, and Perspecta. These FSIs are involved in the engineering, testing, certification, launch, recovery, and operations of commercial crew vehicles. The CCP achieved several milestones, including the first uncrewed of SpaceX’s Crew Dragon in 2019, the first crewed Crew Dragon in 2020, and the first operational flight of SpaceX’s Crew Dragon in 2020.
These are some of the best practices and success stories of Federal Systems Integrators that showcase their value proposition, customer satisfaction, and social responsibility. Many more examples of FSIs have delivered or participated in impactful projects and partnerships for the federal government.
To overcome these and seize these opportunities, FSIs need to adopt some best practices and strategies, such as:
- Leveraging emerging technologies: FSIs must keep pace with the rapid development and adoption of computing, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and modernization. These technologies can offer FSIs and their customers many benefits, such as scalability, flexibility, cost-efficiency, security, innovation, and customer service. However, these technologies also pose some risks and challenges to FSIs, such as compliance with federal regulations and standards, migration of legacy systems and data, integration of multiple platforms and providers, management of resources and performance, ethical use and governance of AI,
- The Best Practices and Success Stories of Federal Systems Integrators: A showcase of some of the most successful and impactful projects and partnerships that federal systems integrators have delivered or participated in, highlighting their value proposition, customer satisfaction, and social responsibility
Federal Systems Integrators have demonstrated their capabilities and contributions to the federal government by delivering or participating in some of the most successful and impactful projects and partnerships. Some examples of these projects and collaborations are:
Conclusion: A summary main points and takeaways from the article, as well as some recommendations and predictions for the future of federal systems integration
In conclusion, FSIs are:
- The IT backbone of the federal government.
- Providing IT solutions and services that support the government’s mission-critical functions.
- Strategic goals.
- Challenges.
Federal Systems Integrators are also key players in the federal IT market, constantly evolving and changing due to various factors, such as cloud computing, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and modernization. Federal Systems Integrators have demonstrated their capabilities and contributions to the federal government by delivering or participating in some of the most successful and impactful projects and partnerships. However, FSIs face challenges and opportunities in the national IT market, such as budget constraints, procurement processes, regulatory compliance, workforce development, and customer satisfaction.
To overcome challenges and these opportunities, Federal Systems Integrators must adopt some best practices and strategies, such as leveraging emerging technologies, building solid partnerships, and developing a skilled and diverse workforce. However, the federal IT market is not static but dynamic and unpredictable. Therefore, FSIs must also be agile, adaptable, and resilient to cope with the changing environment and customer needs.
The future of federal systems integration is bright and promising as the federal government continues to rely on FSIs for its IT needs. However, the future of national systems integration is also challenging and uncertain, as the federal government faces complex problems requiring new and innovative solutions. Therefore, Federal Systems Integrators need to be prepared for the future of national systems integration by anticipating the trends and issues that will shape the federal IT market.
I hope you enjoyed reading this article on Federal Systems Integrators. If you have any questions or feedback, please let me know. Thank you for your time and attention. 😊
