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In the world of digital transformation within Government agencies, the collaboration between industry partners and Federal entities is critical for driving progress in enhancing the Federal digital experience. Recently, the General Services Administration (GSA) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) held The Federal Digital Experience Virtual Summit to shed light on the pivotal role that industry plays in supporting Government agencies on their journey towards digital innovation. By emphasizing the need for collaboration, innovation and skill development, these conversations underscored the importance of industry expertise in guiding Government agencies towards effective digital solutions. Key takeaways from the summit are summarized throughout this blog post to provide insights into the evolving landscape of Government digital services. As agencies strive to modernize their digital services and platforms, industry partners, like Carahsoft and our partners, technology vendors, resellers, system integrators, and MSPs, are instrumental in providing the necessary resources, knowledge and solutions to help agencies meet the evolving demands of their users and improve the Customer Experience (CX).

The Importance of Inclusive and Compliant Digital Solutions

A people-first approach is paramount in Government digital services, focusing on the needs of both customers and the Federal workforce. Industry partners engaging with Government agencies must align their technological solutions with this people-centric mindset. Prioritizing user experience (UX) and ensuring that technology serves the needs of all stakeholders is essential for fostering effective digital interactions within the Government ecosystem.

While adopting a mobile-first approach is crucial in today’s digital landscape, accessibility remains a fundamental consideration. Government agencies recognize the importance of catering to individuals who may not have access to mobile devices or prefer alternative communication channels, such as in-person interactions or call centers. Ensuring that digital services are inclusive and accessible to all individuals, regardless of their preferred mode of interaction, is key to promoting equitable access to Government resources and information, as well as providing a means of service outside of digital for those who do not have access.

Federal agencies expect industry partners to demonstrate a deep understanding of the regulatory landscape and Government policies, such as the 21st Century Integrated Digital Experiences Act (IDEA), Executive Order 14058, Transforming Federal Customer Experience and Service Delivery to Rebuild Trust in Government, and specific mandates like M-2322. Industry proposals should reflect a clear alignment with these guidelines and address the unique needs outlined by Government directives. Collaboration between Government agencies and industry partners are linked by a shared commitment to compliance and a mutual understanding of the regulatory framework governing digital initiatives. By proactively incorporating policy requirements into their proposals, industry partners can demonstrate their readiness to support Government agencies in achieving their digital transformation goals.

Enhancing the Federal Digital Experience

Implementing best practices is essential in the realm of Federal digital experience for enhancing user engagement and optimizing service delivery. The following best practices were identified by the speakers that all agencies should be working towards and where the industry should support by supplying guidance and tactical solutions, helping them meet Federal initiatives. One key practice is the importance of the US Web Design System, which promotes a mobile-first approach for Government websites. By prioritizing mobile responsiveness and user-friendly design elements, agencies can ensure that their digital platforms are accessible and intuitive for all users. Leveraging the design system not only fosters consistency across Government websites but also enhances the overall UX, making it easier for individuals to navigate and interact with online Government services.

Another crucial best practice is the enhancement of search functionality for Government websites. By implementing Search Engine Optimization (SEO) methods, agencies can improve search results and make relevant information more easily discoverable for users. Looking ahead, planning for future technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) in content delivery can further enhance the search experience, enabling more personalized and efficient access to Government resources. By staying informed of evolving search technologies and incorporating AI-driven solutions, agencies can streamline information retrieval processes and provide users with tailored and relevant content.

Digitization serves as a foundational element for transformation within Federal agencies. Moving towards digital and self-service options for common tasks not only enhances efficiency but also empowers users to access services conveniently. By focusing on structured data and digital interactions, agencies can transform UX, making interactions more intuitive and seamless. Embracing digitization as a bedrock for innovation enables agencies to modernize their service delivery models, reduce operational burdens and adapt to the evolving digital landscape effectively.

Collaboration and Alignment Across Government and Industry

Establishing a dialogue and fostering partnerships between agencies and industry partners can lead to the co-creation of solutions that address the evolving needs of the digital landscape. By working together, stakeholders can leverage their respective expertise and insights to develop innovative strategies and technologies that improve service delivery and user satisfaction. This collaborative approach not only fosters knowledge sharing and best practice exchange but also promotes a culture of continuous improvement and innovation within the Government ecosystem. As a call to action, stakeholders are encouraged to join forces and collaborate towards a shared goal of creating a better digital experience for customers and Government employees alike. Stakeholders can collectively drive positive change and shape the future of digital interactions within the Government sector by aligning efforts and working together. Leveraging the federal digital experience guidance provides a clear path forward, offering a roadmap for stakeholders to navigate the complexities of digital transformation and align their initiatives with Government priorities and policies. By adhering to the guidance and embracing a collaborative mindset, Government agencies and industry partners can collectively advance the digital experience landscape, ensuring that services are accessible, user-centric and future-ready.

As agencies like GSA and OMB advocate for a mobile-first strategy, organizations can explore Carahsoft’s portfolio of website modernization and mobile enhancement solutions to align with these initiatives. Carahsoft also features leading solutions from our vendor partners in the digitization of services, such as fortifying public outreach, electronic signatures and accessibility technology, aiding in the modernization journey for agencies to make services simpler and more accessible for users. Customer services are improved through understanding the voice of the customer with analytics and human-centered design. Public outreach is imperative for transparency, gathering and implementing feedback and ultimately building trust between constituents and Government. CX plays a pivotal role in shaping how constituents perceive and interact with civic services, fostering trust and transparency in Government operations.

Carahsoft’s Customer Experience and Engagement portfolio offers a range of industry-leading solutions that enable agencies to analyze and disseminate information securely, improve service efficiency, build trust with constituents and bolster agency reputability. By embracing trusted software solutions from our technology providers, agencies can advance their digital Government services to meet the evolving needs of the public and deliver exceptional experiences that drive positive outcomes for all stakeholders. Carahsoft’s expertise in digitization also extends to social media integration, call center optimization and the implementation of adaptive technology, aligning with diverse needs of Government agencies and their constituents.

GSA and OMB are calling for a people-first approach and Carahsoft has the CX solutions to help your organization meet this initiative. Check out Carahsoft’s portfolio of solutions providers who can support your needs in website modernization and mobile enhancement, digitization of services, customer services, public outreach, social media, electronic signatures, call center, accessibility technology and other CX solutions.

Carahsoft represents a wide range of FedRAMP offerings and supports many emerging SaaS ISVs as they create Government mission focused solutions. Our Government customers have leveraged thousands of reuse authorizations across the hundreds of FedRAMP authorized cloud services that Carahsoft sells and supports. With such a substantial record of reuses, FedRAMP could be considered the most cost-effective, time-efficient, and security enhancing program in the history of Government IT.

Carahsoft FedRAMP Roadmap Blog Embedded Image 2024

We are excited by the new FedRAMP roadmap, released by GSA on March 28, 2024. This roadmap introduces strategic initiatives designed to modernize the program. FedRAMP allows agencies to leverage previously completed work and reuse cloud authorizations, offering significant time and cost savings for government and industry alike.

Building on the OMB FedRAMP Draft memo released in October 2023, the FedRAMP Roadmap underscores GSA’s commitment to make the program faster and less expensive for Federal Agencies and Cloud Service Providers (CSPs). This blog post aims to analyze the roadmap’s key initiatives and outline its primary objectives. FedRAMP lays out four clear goals to drive the program forward:

Orienting around the customer experience
Cybersecurity leadership
Scaling a trusted marketplace
Smarter, technology-forward operations

Accelerating FedRAMP Authorization and Deployment

Several initiatives introduced by the PMO are designed to significantly speed up the authorization process for CSPs and enable agencies to deploy advanced technology more rapidly:

Reciprocity with External Frameworks: Starting with Low-impact SaaS, the roadmap outlines a plan to enhance interoperability across different frameworks. This allows CSPs to reuse previously completed work, reducing the time to achieve FedRAMP authorization.
Low-review Authorization Model: In partnership with DISA, the roadmap pilots a model where trusted agencies undergo a less extensive review process. This approach aims to make the authorization process faster and more efficient for agencies with mature review processes.
Joint Authorization Groups: The FedRAMP PMO, OMB, and the FedRAMP Board are establishing joint authorization groups to promote a unified approach to risk management. This collaboration is expected to reduce the overall risk profile and workload, thereby increasing the chances for a CSP to secure agency sponsorship.
Digital Authorization Packages: The PMO plans to pilot machine-readable packages using OSCAL. These digital packages are designed to speed up the review process by eliminating many of the manual tasks currently required of PMO staff.

These steps are part of a broader effort to make FedRAMP more agile and responsive to the needs to both CSPs and government agencies, ensuring quicker access to secure and industry-leading cloud solutions.

Maintaining a Cutting-Edge Program

Other initiatives laid out in FedRAMP’s 2024-25 roadmap addresses an effort to continuously update and enhance the program:

SCR Overhaul: Replacing the extensive Significant Change Request (SCR) process with a more agile change management system. This adjustment allows for quicker delivery of security updates, better aligning FedRAMP with the rapid iteration cycles typical of commercial tech products. By allowing CSPs to implement iterative product updates, FedRAMP is not only improving its own operational efficiency but also enhancing the security posture of cloud services used throughout the federal government.
Updated Guidance: Refreshing guidelines in critical security areas, including FIPS 140, DNSSEC, and external service integrations. These updates ensure that the program keeps pace with the latest developments in cybersecurity.
New Metrics: To better meet the evolving needs to agencies and CSPs, FedRAMP is introducing new, customer-oriented key performance metrics.

Through these initiatives, FedRAMP is not just maintaining its standards but also enhancing its adaptability, ensuring it continues to set the standard in government cloud security.

Timeline

Looking Forward

The roadmap marks a clear commitment to modernization. The PMO is confident that this strategic overhaul will alleviate the current review backlog, streamline processes, and optimize service delivery. As we look towards a transformative period for FedRAMP, Carahsoft remains committed to supporting our partners through these changes. Together, we anticipate a future where Government cloud technology is not only secure and compliant but also at the cutting edge of innovation.

To learn more about Carahsoft’s partner marketplace for FedRAMP certified cloud solutions visit our FedRAMP portfolio and speak to a member of our team today.

Join us for GovForward’s 6^th Annual ATO and Cloud Security Summit on Thursday, July 11, 2024 from 8:00 am-4:45 pm in Waldorf Astoria, Washington D.C. Learn more about the event here.