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Information Technology Approval System

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

What is it?

The Information Technology Approval System (ITAS) replaces the Goal One Waiver process, an element of the Army Request for Information Technology (ARFIT) initiative to provide visibility and accountability of all Army IT purchased with appropriated funds. Under ARFIT, organizations that want to procure commercial-off-the-shelf IT from sources other than those already approved by the Army, such as CHESS and enterprise license agreements, must request a waiver prior to purchase.

Information technology is defined as anything that stores, manipulates, transmits or analyzes data, and includes items such as MRIs, X-ray systems, CAT scanners, HVAC systems, swipe cards and systems that track energy usage.

Beginning in Nov. 20, 2015, waiver requests must be submitted and approved through ITAS; the Goal 1 Waiver process will be terminated at that time.

What has the Army done?

ITAS training for users and approving officials has begun. It is critical that commands schedule their G-8 and administrative personnel for training now, either with the ARFIT or Army Portfolio Management Solution team. Users also must also complete training and be provisioned in the system before they can access ITAS. The ITAS training page includes training manuals, links to the various training modules, information on administration, analyst and system owner reports, and policy and guidance documentation.

Why is this important to the Army?

Knowing how and where the Army’s IT dollars are being spent is crucial to achieving maximum fiscal efficiency and ensuring the most current, effective IT equipment and software inventory. ITAS includes automated links to IT investments recorded in the Army Portfolio Management Solution and funding information in the planning, programming, budget and execution data warehouse. In addition to streamlining the request and approval process, this configuration will provide data mining and reporting capabilities that better inform leaders as they make decisions regarding IT procurement.

ITAS simplifies the user experience by standardizing roles and responsibilities, creating uniform workflow review and approval processes, and providing detailed training manuals and checklists. It also will improve network protection by enforcing a security review of all technology and software prior to procurement approval.

What does the Army have planned for the future?

Training will continue on an ongoing basis. Additionally, ITAS will be updated as Army, DOD and federal policies regarding IT procurement change.

Resources:

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