Governmentwide Initiatives
Critical Issues Facing the Next Federal Telecommunications System Gao ID: T-AIMD-94-114 May 3, 1994In recent months, the General Services Administration (GSA) and the Defense Department (DOD) have started to consolidate the acquisition of telecommunications services for both the civil and defense agencies within government. Although GAO supports the consolidation and believes that it could lead to a truly integrated, governmentwide telecommunications system, several major issues must be addressed if the effort is to be successful. This testimony discusses (1) the progress GSA has made in improving its overall management of the Federal Telecommunications System (FTS) 2000; (2) DOD's efforts to reinvent the way it manages its communications resources; and (3) the recent decision by GSA and DOD to consolidate communications requirements for the follow-on to FTS 2000. GAO also touches on key issues that Congress and the executive branch agencies will need to consider in planning for a consolidated telecommunications acquisition.