Accelerating technology projects with environmental agencies starts with proactive communication

This blog is the first in a series highlighting the findings of our recently released report on the views of environmental technology providers, both private and non-profit, on obstacles to accelerating technology projects in support of environmental agency.

Utilizing new and improved technologies in support of environmental agency missions represents a major opportunity to speed up progress toward our nation’s environmental goals. To do so, government agencies need to work with an ecosystem of environmental technology providers, both private and nonprofit. Yet, as detailed in our recent report Accelerating Technology Projects in Environmental Agencies, technology providers face several obstacles when trying to work with government agencies that start with inefficient ways for technology providers to even understand environmental agencies’ technology needs for their programs.

To tailor products and services to environmental agencies, technology providers have to understand the needs and priorities of those agencies, programs, and staff, and, in some cases, the end-user outside of government. However, many providers said that the typical process for doing so can be a long and windy road that takes years, especially when working on new topics or with new agencies. By creating efficient channels for regularly sharing information and co-developing solutions, agencies could help match technology products and services to the programs they would benefit.

This challenge is on the mind of the broader government acquisitions community and Congress. Just last week, the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) that governs government contracting was amended to make it clear that agencies can and should proactively engage with industry:

(4) The Government must not hesitate to communicate with industry as early as possible in the acquisition cycle to help the Government determine the capabilities available in the marketplace. Government acquisition personnel are permitted and encouraged to engage in responsible and constructive exchanges with industry ( e.g., see 10.002 and 15.201), so long as those exchanges are consistent with existing laws and regulations, and do not promote an unfair competitive advantage to particular firms.

(5) The Government will maximize its use of commercial products and commercial services in meeting Government requirements.

Now, it is up to environmental agencies to respond to this call to action, especially for industries like environmental technology that are rapidly evolving and have potentially transformative implications for the effectiveness of environmental initiatives. We are here to help. Our report details a series of strategies that could be tailored to specific agencies or implemented across agencies to make meaningful strides in accelerating work with technology providers, including:

• Conducting and sharing more proactive market research on the application of new and tested technologies to environmental programs and sharing that information to more efficiently match providers with opportunities. 

• Creating consolidated points of entry for innovating and selling to federal environmental agencies. 

• Bolster liaison capacity, particularly for small providers and those who are new to working with government agencies.

Read more about the obstacles and strategies in our report.

EPIC’s technology team looks forward to partnering with industry and government to help accelerate the development and use of technology for environmental stewardship. If any of these concepts resonate with you and you would like to collaborate on solutions, please reach out to Reed Van Beveren at reed@policyinnovation.org.