By Michael Collett, Executive Director, Business Development (DOJ)
The last few decades have each seen a new technology dominate federal IT investments.
In the 2010s, cloud computing led the way. Now, in the 2020s, AI has taken center stage, with publicly reported federal AI use cases projected to grow from 2,100 in 2024 to over 3,000 in 2025. Funding tends to follow this momentum, with billions allocated to AI in the 2026 NDAA alone, redefining what is considered mission critical.
However, as agencies rush to deploy AI, it’s crucial to learn from past experiences.
The federal transition from on-prem storage to the cloud is an example of how technology investments can become costly without careful planning. Additionally, the rapid evolution from chatbots to Agentic AI in just a few years demonstrates how quickly investments can become obsolete if not deliberately designed to keep pace with innovation and changing missions.
When adopting these new technologies, agencies must focus on “future-proofing” their investments to ensure they deliver sustainable, long-term solutions.
Navigating the Ambiguous Path to Future Readiness
While it’s easy to give sweeping recommendations such as “future-proof your technology,” it’s much easier said than done. Several challenges lie in the way.
The most significant roadblock impacting long-term tech investments is undoubtedly cost. With limited IT budgets and ongoing cost-saving mandates, many agencies are seeking Lowest Price Technically Acceptable solutions rather than true best-value contracts. This temporary solution often leads to contract delivery failure and directly affects mission outcomes.
Additionally, many agencies struggle to define what future-proofing looks like. The process is not an exact science. Since the IT landscape is always changing, the challenge is to anticipate those changes without over-engineering solutions that may never be needed.
For example, if DHS invests in a new AI-powered system to help TSA agents identify those leaving the country, it may appear to be a great investment that saves time and money. However, if this new solution can’t easily integrate new biometric tools, adding technologies like facial recognition in a few years would require a full rebuild. This can lead to operational delays and divert vital resources.
Instead, investing in solutions designed with modular, interoperable components enables agencies like DHS to add new capabilities periodically. The goal is not to predict every possible advancement, but to design systems and products that are resilient and unlikely to require a complete overhaul as technology evolves.
A true future-proofed agency is one that continuously analyzes its environment, uses an agile deployment approach and has educated leadership to create a viable, adaptable IT environment. Often, achieving this vision comes down to creating a road map for the future.
Taking the First Careful Steps
There is no single solution to future-proofing technology. Ensuring success and long-term growth requires ongoing diligence, but agencies can take several immediate steps to set themselves up for success.
First, agencies should assemble the correct team to oversee all aspects of IT procurement. This team should include C-suite leaders, program managers, and acquisition leads. This first step can be more challenging than anticipated; many acquisition teams face understaffing due to budget constraints, but the long-term benefits of investing in the correct technology are worth it.
It’s also important for agencies to create a plan that is not dependent on any single software or solutions with high licensing fees that create long-term dependency. Purely customized solutions should also be limited, as they will eventually become incompatible with new technologies and software. Instead, teams should seek secure, open-source options that meet specific mission needs while not being overly costly.
Identifying these technologies requires close collaboration with industry partners. Agencies that provide price ranges based on market research and award contracts based on technical expertise make it easier for partners to understand and align with agency needs.
Another critical piece is that the job is not done when the correct solution has been identified and deployed. Agencies need to adjust their plan and processes routinely as mission requirements and IT capabilities change.
In the end, all tech investments will eventually be replaced or refreshed with new technology. With budget constraints and rapidly evolving tech, a roadmap that allows you to move toward your goals and adjust along the way is the most logical way to “future-proof” your IT growth plan.
Agencies that acknowledge the need to develop a road map for success, hire the right IT leadership to champion their efforts, and invest in the right technology are positioning themselves for long-term success and future growth.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Michael Collett serves as VP of Business Development for DOJ at ITC Federal, bringing more than 30 years of experience across federal law enforcement, government, and industry. A former DEA Special Agent, Michael has also held business development leadership roles with companies including mid-tier companies, supporting growth across DOJ and law enforcement missions. His background gives him deep customer insight, a clear understanding of the mission, and the ability to connect agency needs with technology solutions that strengthen operations, improve outcomes, and support public safety and national security.
