Maximus’ Tom Romeo: Automation, Contract Consolidation Among 2020 Federal Tech Trends

Tom Romeo, general manager of Maximus’ federal services segment and a 2020 Wash100 award winner, wrote in a GCN article published Thursday there are three technology trends to watch in the federal government space this year and one is the adoption of new technologies to transform the way citizens apply and receive health care benefits.

Romeo discussed how the state of Louisiana has facilitated the enrollment process for Medicaid programs through the state’s Healthy Louisiana app.

Another trend to keep an eye on is the implementation of automation technologies such as robotic process automation and artificial intelligence by federal agencies to address more requests and improve the delivery of services to citizens.

“In 2020, automation will be applied to further eliminate repetitive, manual tasks for employees, who can instead focus on more strategic work,” Romeo wrote. “It will also be leveraged to enhance self-service tools for citizens so they can access government services how, when and where they choose.”

Romeo also discussed the continued contract consolidation in 2020 and its implications for technology procurements in the federal sector.

“First, it will increase the importance for contractors to win slots on the consolidated contracts, since more work will be acquired through them,” Romeo noted. “Second, it will make the acquisition process easier for both the government and contractors, as these governmentwide acquisition contracts  use predefined terms, conditions and rates to simplify bidding under the contract vehicle.”