E-Government (E-Gov)
The Electronic Government Act of 2002 was signed into law on December 17, 2002. "Electronic Government"(E-GOV) is defined as the Government use of "web-based Internet applications or other information technology to enhance the access to and delivery of government information and services to the public, other agencies, and other Government entities; or to bring about improvements in Government operations that may include effectiveness, efficiency, service quality, or transformation." The E-Government Act of 2002 established a new agency within the Office of Management and Budget, the Office of Electronic Government, which is responsible for electronic information management and for promoting interagency cooperation to improve public services.
The act creates a Chief Information Council that works with other Federal agencies and State and local governments to help develop electronic technology policies, requirements, and strategies. An E-Government Fund was also established to provide funding for projects intended to allow for easier public access to information, improved government services and transactions, and enhanced agency information technology project coordination and planning.
The E-GOV initiatives serve citizens, businesses, and Federal and state government employees by delivering high quality services more efficiently at a lower price. Instead of expensive “stove piped” operations, agencies work together to develop common solutions which achieve mission requirements at reduced cost, thereby making resources available for higher priority needs.
USDA currently participates in 14 Presidential E-GOV Initiatives and Lines of Business (LoB). By participating in the E-GOV Initiatives and LoBs, USDA has improved its business processes and program delivery to its customers, employees, and partners. Through these efforts, USDA has been able to work with other Federal agencies to streamline common areas of business delivery (e.g. rulemaking, payroll, and grants management) and learn from best practices throughout the government. The Department will continue to implement these Initiatives and LoBs to achieve further benefits for its customers.
The OCIO E-GOV Office serves as USDA’s focal point for E-GOV Presidential Initiatives and Lines of Business, as well as the USDA liaison to the Office of Management and Budget regarding E-GOV. The office provides oversight and guidance to the development and implementation of USDA-wide policies, standards, and procedures for E-GOV implementations. The office manages USDA’s E-GOV relationships with other Federal agencies. It identifies and promotes common enterprise solutions to enable improvements in USDA’s business, information, and technology infrastructures to reduce overall funding requirements. It also provides leadership in addressing and resolving IT department-wide issues and obstacles to achieving E-GOV objectives.
