A UNIQUE PARTNERSHIP: DECADES OF PUBLIC SERVICE
ACT- 30 Years - IAC – 20 Years
2009 is an important year for the government IT community. There is a new presidential administration that has made the effective use of information technology assets a major priority. 2009 is also the 30th anniversary of the American Council for Technology and the 20th anniversary of the Industry Advisory Council.
Since its inception in 1979, the Federation of Government Information Processing Councils (FGIPC) has provided a unique forum for government executives responsible for information technology resources to share information, strategies, and solutions on how to use IT to improve government. Thirty years ago FGIPC created – and today sustains – a community of government executives committed to better government through the effective application of information technology. The FGIPC community cuts across organizational, geographic and program boundaries – open to all in government who share the commitment to public service and technology.
The American Council for Technology
In 1966, the Federal government owned 2,600 computers, employed 71,000 people and spent $2 billion annually to acquire and manage its computers. Few had any experience with this emerging new technology – there were no best practices. There was also no email or internet to share information and ideas. Around the nation, federal executives charged with managing these technologies, formed local ADP (automated data processing as it was known then) User Groups. By the mid-1970s, there were almost 30 of these organizations around the country. In 1978, the Office of Management and Budget and the General Services Administration urged these local groups to create a national organization to exchange information and collaborate on how to take advantage of these new technologies. In December 1979, at a meeting in Kenner, Louisiana, a new organization – the Federation of Government Information Processing Councils (FGIPC) – was created as a non-profit, 501(c)3 educational organization. FGIPC quickly grew to over 30 councils – both geographic and functional. In addition to the programs and services offered by individual councils, one of the first FGIPC activities was to create the Management of Change conference. Now in its 29th year, the Management of Change conference is the oldest conference serving the government IT community.
In 2004, FGIPC changed its name to the “American Council for Technology” to better reflect its broader role and place as the premier forum for the intergovernmental IT management community.
The Industry Advisory Council
Recognizing that government does not make the IT products and services that it relies upon, FGIPC decided to bring the private sector IT industry to the table. In 1989, FGIPC created the Industry Advisory Council (IAC), to provide an objective, ethical, and vendor-neutral forum to obtain industry advice. One of IAC’s early missions was to help government and industry executives understand the federal procurement process. IAC member companies developed a training program on how companies worked within the Federal IT procurement process. Representatives from several IAC member companies developed a seminar entitled, “The Decision to Bid” which debuted in 1991, and was ultimately delivered to nearly 3000 federal IT and acquisition professionals.
Under the leadership of Israel “Izzy” Feldman, IAC became the “go-to” partner of government. IAC produced energetic, imaginative and frequent program events including the annual Executive Leadership Conference, Executive Roundtables, and frequent dinner series, several Shared Interest Groups and specialized technology forums organized to address focused interests of member companies and government colleagues.
For the past 30 years ACT and IAC have worked in partnership to provide a trusted forum for collaboration where the government IT community can share information, debate issues, and exchange ideas. ACT-IAC welcomes the new emphasis on collaboration and transparency and looks forward to the next 30 years of serving the nation.
Celebrating the Anniversary
To celebrate this important milestone, ACT-IAC held a reception on May 20, 2009 that drew almost 500 attendees from government and industry. ACT-IAC also published a special anniversary brochure to provide an overview of ACT-IAC’s history.