Bill Would Extend Defense IT Worker Exchange Program

Two House lawmakers on Wednesday introduced legislation that would extend a pilot program at the Defense Department that enables the exchange of Defense IT workers with their counterparts in private industry.

The bill (H.R. 2105), sponsored by Reps. Derek Kilmer, D-Wash., and Jim Bridenstine, R-Okla., would enable the Defense Department to continue the Information Technology Exchange Pilot program that authorizes the temporary assignment of Defense IT employees to private sector organizations. The program also gives Defense the authority to accept private sector IT employees.

“Our country faces serious cyber threats,” Kilmer said in a statement. “In order to do everything we can to defend ourselves, we need our military to have access to the most up-to-date private sector talent and technology.”

The ITEP program launched last spring, implementing a section of the 2010 National Defense Authorization Act. The program enables temporary assignments of up to two years for Defense IT employees at the equivalent of a GS-11 level or above.

The legislation touts the benefits of exchanging ideas and cultures across government, private industry and academia by exposing Defense IT employees to best practices from the private sector, and by allowing those in industry to learn more about how Defense operates so that they can better develop tools and products to benefit our national defense.

“ITEP is a great program that holds significant potential to help industry and government do a better job by establishing stronger lines of communication,” said Trey Hodgkins, senior vice president for Tech America, in a statement. “An exchange of personnel improves communication and will help improve efficiencies for mission success and drive best value for the taxpayer.”