TechNet seeks to promote and support innovation, transparency, competition, cost effectiveness, and technology neutrality in technology procurement processes.  As states consider procurement reforms and legislation, TechNet will advocate for the following principles:

  • Modernization of outdated IT systems, acceleration of the sound adoption of state-of-the-art technologies, and strengthening of state governments’ cybersecurity Citizens deserve modern, citizen-centric services that keep pace with private sector innovation.
  • Frameworks that encourage communication and collaboration between the public and private sectors to promote a better-informed understanding of current industry capabilities and practices.
  • Strong executive-level leadership with supervisory and operational authority over enterprise-wide IT strategy, policy, and planning can drive innovation and maximize investment across state enterprises.
  • Statutory flexibility to select from the widest array of solutions and consider all relevant factors in addition to cost, such as short- and long-term environmental impact and sustainability, the quality and security of goods and services purchased, performance history, and total cost of ownership solutions.
  • Procurement and program management professionals benefit from training opportunities that expose them to technologies being deployed in the private sector.
  • Reforms to standard contract terms and conditions to give agencies flexibility to use contracting vehicles that can accommodate the unique set of IT terms and conditions and incorporate future innovations that are aligned with commercial best practices.
  • Reforms to allow for centralized procurement of managed services for the state or supported jurisdictions, which would achieve both efficiency and enable entities to acquire services they would not be able to if procuring on their own.
  • Forced data localization requirements arbitrarily limit technology solutions.
  • Opposing third-party verification and tracking software implementation requirements for vendors on state contracts.
  • Intellectual property law should allow for an environment where innovation can flourish among companies of all sizes and across all sectors.
  • Vendors should be held harmless when statute calls for stop payments due to agency failure.
  • Vendors should not be discriminated against for policies which do not impact the delivery of technology solutions to government.

Other Policy Agendas

Privacy and Security

December 6, 2023

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Artificial Intelligence

December 6, 2023

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Education and Workforce Development

December 6, 2023

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