FDA Enhancing IT Modernization Efforts with New Office of Digital Transformation
In mid-September, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the reorganization of the agency’s information technology (IT), data management and cybersecurity functions into the new Office of Digital Transformation (ODT). This move reinforces the agency’s new focus on IT transformation with improved data and IT competencies that bolster agency operations to support the public health mission.
To provide more context into this new effort, Vid Desai, Chief Information Officer at FDA, published a LinkedIn article that showcases his vision for overall IT transformation at the agency. Desai’s position has been elevated to importance within the agency and now reports directly to the FDA Commissioner.
“I’ve been privileged to be a part of one of the most important and trusted federal agencies during one of the most challenging eras in the agency’s history – if not the worlds,” said Desai in the article. “Much of the transformation we are driving today has resulted from modernization work we had started before the pandemic but has been pressure tested and refined during this challenging time.”
This move is also an extension of the FDA’s 2019 Technology Modernization Action Plan (TMAP) roadmap for modernizing its computer hardware, software, data and analytics. Then, in March 2021, the FDA released its Data Modernization Action Plan, for modernizing its use of data – leveraging the infrastructure put in place through the 2019 roadmap.
According to this recent MedTech Dive article, the FDA is also seeking an extra $75.9 million in the 2022 budget to support this overall modernization plan. The expended budget will be used to enhance enterprise technology and data across the foods and medical product programs, as well as modernize the agency’s data infrastructure.
The Makpar team applauds the FDA’s enhanced focus on IT modernization with its new Office of Digital Transformation (ODT), which will serve as a guide for other agencies that are seeking out new ways for leveraging innovation for mission success.
Makpar is an experienced solutions-oriented federal government contractor focused on IT infrastructure modernization. Since 2009, the company has offered mission-critical, cutting-edge technology for federal agencies seeking enterprise-wide solutions. Please click here to contact Makpar’s team for more information.