Government may spend up to $100 billion on IT products, services
by Mary Scott Nabers
CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc.
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ARRA funding also has been set aside for energy projects, health care and transportation. Technology purchases will be included in most initiatives.
One of the major technology projects being funded in the health care field relates to a system that provides electronic medical and health records. Approximately $20 billion in funding is set aside for that project alone. Recent disasters such as hurricanes along the Gulf Coast showed the need for these types of records, which ensure that disaster victims will receive better and more timely care. The records, which experts say will prevent fraud and errors, are more easily shared across city, county and state lines.
While the energy industry may not seem a likely marketplace for traditional technology projects, technology will help reduce the nation's reliance on foreign oil. Federal officials just last week announced there would be $3.3 billion in development grants available for smart grid technology. The hope is that this new technology will create a "smart grid," which will use digital technology to help increase energy reliability while saving energy and reducing costs.
Another technology project, extending a broadband network to underserved areas of the country, has been allocated $7.2 billion in stimulus funding. In addition to providing broadband service, technology-related companies will also be charged with providing support and training - as well as equipment - to schools, universities, libraries and health care providers.
Transportation projects funded by the bill may include technology. Some of the $47.8 billion earmarked for transportation will be used for high-tech projects such as traffic monitoring and congestion management. Air transportation projects will also have technology-related needs. The ARRA provides $1 billion for airport baggage and checkpoint security. Some examples of other projects include explosion detection systems, enhanced security systems and technology to help reduce airport congestion.
Border security initiatives will also require technology purchases. Some $700 million has been set aside for technology such as non-intrusive inspection equipment, communications network infrastructure upgrades and surveillance technology.
Congress allocated $5.5 billion for repairs and upgrades to federal facilities throughout the country. Some of the upgrades will no doubt include computers and computer infrastructure. Another $4.2 billion is allocated for repairs and modernization of the nation's military facilities. Many of these upgrades and modernization projects will include technology.
The federal stimulus bill embraced technology in every way. Government marketplaces throughout the nation may have never offered as many opportunities for firms with technology-related products and services as they do today.
