WashingtonExec 2015 Market Outlook Series
We look forward to a new year and new opportunities for innovation and growth in the government contracting community. This past year, we experienced an increased emphasis on cybersecurity, the government’s procurement process and a perpetual focus on doing more with less.
WashingtonExec reached out to those most knowledgeable and experienced in the federal contracting space. We asked executives in and around the beltway for insight regarding where they see the government contracting community headed in 2015. Topics discussed include M&A activity, cloud computing, privacy issues, data collection, healthcare IT, defense and more.
Amyx Inc. CEO and President Satya Akula says his biggest concern going forward is the LPTA nature of government contracting.
WashingtonExec: What will next year hold for Government Contracting?
Satya Akula: We continue to see more M&A activity due to several reasons – limited GWACs and IDIQs, lower interest rates, new technology adoption by the government such as Big Data, mobile computing, cloud services and cybersecurity. The government is still trying to save money through IT and contract consolidation which helps M&A activity.
WashingtonExec: What future collaboration will take place between industry and government in addressing tough issues?
Satya Akula: As we all know, cybersecurity is of the utmost importance to the government based on the recent events. There is still not a solution to protect our infrastructure, both IT and physical. There should be much better collaboration between the industry and government to prevent hacking, intrusion to protect our individual privacy, information and infrastructure.
WashingtonExec: What do you see as the next big IT innovation for the 21st century workforce?
Satya Akula: I feel that innovation around information security and agility when it comes to IT to save costs and to protect citizens private information and corporate assets.
WashingtonExec: How do you anticipate these technologies being managed to ensure security and privacy?
Satya Akula: In the past and currently, government agencies have focused predominantly on data collection and storage when it came to big data; many organizations have moved on to finally analyzing and using the data for intelligence purposes.
WashingtonExec: What are your thoughts on the collection of data through almost everything we do, from frequent shoppers cards to healthcare and education technology, combined with the public’s desire to maintain their privacy? Will the two be able to strike a balance?
Satya Akula: Collecting personal data has been happening for longer time than we realize, but protecting it should be No. 1 priority now. Yes, there needs to be a balance between data collection and its security. Once consumers start complaining and asking for monetary compensation for their information being compromised, its protection will be given top priority. This will put more emphasis on not only data protection, but also collection too.
WashingtonExec: What concerns you the most when looking ahead at the future of GovCon?
Satya Akula: The biggest concern going forward in 2015 is the LPTA (Low Price Technically Acceptable) nature of government contracting. The federal government has benefited from LPTA, as they were challenged by budget cuts. They are also realizing that they are not getting the real value out of it and facing challenges to complete their mission. Continuation of LPTA-based acquisition will challenge the GovCon industry.
