For over five decades, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has saved lives and improved human welfare around the world. USAID is the lead U.S. Government agency that works to end extreme global poverty and enable resilient, democratic societies to realize their potential. To accomplish its critical mission, USAID has relied more and more on the use of information technology (IT).

The Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act (FITARA), enacted in December 2014, imposes new requirements on Federal agencies for transparency and accountability for how IT is planned and implemented in the Federal government. Implementing FITARA provides USAID with a great opportunity to shape how IT is planned, acquired, and deployed across the Agency. The law requires USAID and other Federal agencies to strengthen the Chief Information Officer’s (CIO) role in overseeing IT investments and ensuring the alignment of IT investments with Agency strategic business objectives.