ACT-IAC At a Glance

 

The American Council for Technology-Industry Advisory Council (ACT-IAC) is a 501(c)3 non-profit educational organization established to improve government through the effective and innovative application of technology. ACT-IAC provides an objective, trusted and ethical forum where government and industry executives can communicate, collaborate and learn. ACT-IAC is the premier public-private partnership in the government technology community and has been called “an example of how government and industry can work together.” 

The former U.S. Chief Technology Officer called ACT-IAC the “Switzerland of the government IT community.”

The ACT-IAC organizational structure is much like a coin. One side is the American Council of Technology (ACT) and the other is the Industry Advisory Council (IAC). While each has its own identity, it is the relationship between the two that creates value.

American Council for Technology (ACT)

Government employees engage in the organization through the American Council for Technology (ACT). ACT was established in 1979 by government employees, with the encouragement of OMB and GSA, to provide a forum where Federal, state and local government employees could communicate and collaborate. ACT is governed by an Executive Committee of senior government executives. ACT is an individual membership organization and membership is available for free to any full-time government employee. The ACT Executive Committee establishes the strategic direction for the organization and protects the integrity of the collaborative process.

Industry Advisory Council (IAC)

In 1989 ACT created the Industry Advisory Council (IAC) to provide an objective, ethical and vendor-neutral forum where government executives could communicate and collaborate with their industry peers. IAC has approximately 500 member companies of whom over 60% are small businesses. IAC is a corporate membership organization and companies pay dues based on their government revenues. The IAC Executive Committee, a group of industry executives elected by the IAC membership, advises and supports the ACT Executive Committee.

ACT-IAC Principles

ACT-IAC was founded on the fundamental principle that a more diverse set of views, experience and opinions enhances the mission of government and strengthens us as a nation. We firmly believe in the importance of diversity, inclusion and respect in all that we do. And, we stand united with all who struggle against oppression; who yearn to be heard, feel safe and valued.

ACT-IAC operates under the following principles:

  • Our mission is better government and government issues, and issues drive our agenda.
  • We strive to improve government outcomes through collaboration and partnership.
  • Our activities will be objective, transparent, ethical and vendor/technology neutral.
  • Our education programs will contribute to a more effective workforce by providing opportunities for government and industry to learn together and from each other.
  • We provide an environment of trust between government and industry that is earned and preserved by not using our activities for direct sales or lobbying efforts.
ACT-IAC Programs and Activities

ACT-IAC programs are designed to provide collaborative and educational opportunities that produce tangible and valuable outcomes. The attachment above describes the major programs. Every program and activity includes participants and leaders from both government and industry. In some instances industry participation is limited in order to preserve an appropriate government-industry balance.

ACT-IAC Value and Uniqueness

ACT-IAC is the most trusted partnership in the government technology community. Government looks to ACT-IAC as a source of support, advice and education. Industry looks to ACT-IAC as forum for understanding government needs and providing advice on strategies and solutions. ACT-IAC is unique in the following ways:

  • The ACT-IAC mission is better government. ACT-IAC is not an advocate for industry or any interest other than the public.  ACT-IAC principles preserve the integrity of the process as a trusted and objective forum.
  • ACT-IAC activities are outcome oriented. Every program and activity, from committee meetings to conferences, is intended to produce outcomes that will improve government.
  • Every ACT-IAC program includes leadership and engagement by both government and industry employees.
  • Technology is the unifying theme around which ACT-IAC operates, but it is not the end game. The ACT-IAC mission is to create a more effective government to serve the nation and all functional areas (program managers, acquisition professionals, financial managers, human capital managers, security professionals, IT managers, etc.) must be engaged.
  • ACT-IAC is a volunteer driven organization. Volunteers from government and industry play a vital role in leading the organization and creating the programs and outcomes.

 

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