18F debuts 'Digital Economy Practice'

Business, meet tech.

The consulting arm of the General Services Administration's 18F launched its first policy vertical Oct. 7, with a focus on financial projects.

18F Consulting's Digital Economy Practice will aim to marry 18F's better-known tech skills – user-centered design, agile development and cultural transformation – with business-oriented expertise, the agency announced.

"Our consulting team has already been partnering with numerous federal agencies to help their digital projects succeed, but this new initiative will allow us to work on broad goals instead of discrete projects," 18F's announcement stated. "As agencies map the path of digital products, services, and innovations that they need to meet their economic policy goals, we will bring our business and technical expertise to help them define and achieve success."

18F pointed to the Treasury Department's myRA retirement tool and the Securities and Exchange Commission's stock market Tick Size Pilot program as examples of initiatives aligned with the Digital Economy Practice's expertise.