[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4891 Introduced in House (IH)]
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118th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 4891
To advance Federal Government innovation through the implementation and
use of multi-cloud computing software technology, and for other
purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 25, 2023
Mr. Timmons (for himself, Ms. Eshoo, Mr. Langworthy, and Mr. Trone)
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on
Oversight and Accountability
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To advance Federal Government innovation through the implementation and
use of multi-cloud computing software technology, and for other
purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Multi-Cloud Innovation and
Advancement Act of 2023''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) The Federal Government, across multiple presidential
administrations and Congresses, has continuously supported the
ability of Federal agencies to move to cloud computing,
including through--
(A) the ``Federal Cloud Computing Strategy''
released by the United States Chief Information Officer
on February 8, 2011;
(B) the ``2019 Federal Cloud Computing Strategy-
Cloud Smart'' released by the United States Chief
Information Officer in 2019;
(C) the prioritization of cloud computing security
in Executive Order No. 14028 (86 Fed. Reg. 26633;
relating to improving the Nation's cybersecurity),
which was issued on May 12, 2021; and
(D) more than a decade of appropriations and
authorization legislation that provides Federal
agencies with relevant authorities and appropriations
to modernize on-premises information technology systems
and more readily adopt cloud computing products and
services.
(2) Federal agencies have adopted cloud computing using
various service delivery models, often through duplicative
contract actions and engineering efforts, which approach, while
offering faster deployments, does not capitalize on
opportunities for operational efficiencies, standardized
security, and cost reduction through service streamlining and
consolidated procurement.
(3) The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of cloud
computing by Federal agencies, prompting such agencies to
require assistance managing and developing multi-cloud
strategies to allow Federal agencies to select cloud computing
providers that will meet their mission needs while achieving
the goals of the Federal cloud computing strategies described
in paragraph (1).
(4) There is a shortage of staff within Federal agencies
who have the necessary digital skills and expertise relating
to--
(A) cloud computing services; and
(B) deploying and securing applications on more
than one cloud computing service.
(5) Adoption of multi-cloud software technology can
securely deliver operational and management consistency and
resiliency to optimize Federal agencies' use of cloud computing
environments and provide a flexible and scalable infrastructure
to Federal agencies.
SEC. 3. IMPLEMENTATION OF MULTI-CLOUD SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY.
(a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Director, in consultation with the
Administrator of General Services, the Director of the National
Institute of Standards and Technology, the Director of the
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and the Administrator
of the United States Digital Service, is directed to carry out the
following:
(1) Examine how executive agencies can implement multi-
cloud computing software technology architecture to allow for
portability and interoperability across multiple cloud
computing software vendors.
(2) Develop written guidance for all executive agencies
based on the results of the examination described in paragraph
(1) that--
(A) describes how executive agencies should use
multi-cloud software technology to allow for
applications, data, and programs to be portable and
interoperable between public, private, and edge cloud
environments; and
(B) outlines a roadmap for implementation of multi-
cloud software technology across executive agencies no
later than January 1, 2025.
(b) Briefing.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Director shall provide to the relevant
committees of Congress--
(1) a copy of the written guidance described in subsection
(a); and
(2) a briefing on implementation of multi-cloud software
technology by executive agencies, along with any
recommendations related to expansion or extension of such
implementation.
(c) Workforce Development Study.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit
to Congress and make publicly available a report--
(1) assessing the state of the digital skills and expertise
gap within the Federal workforce relating to information and
communications technology, with particular attention to the
skills and expertise gap relating to cloud computing and multi-
cloud software technology;
(2) any recommendations for Federal workforce development
activities, including trainings, certifications, and
partnerships, to address any gap identified as a result of the
assessment described in paragraph (1); and
(3) any recommendations relating to hiring practices for
executive agencies to address any gap identified as a result of
the assessment described in paragraph (1).
(d) Report to Congress.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress
and make publicly available a report assessing how executive agencies
have implemented the guidance developed under subsection (a) to deploy
and secure multi-cloud software technology architecture that includes
multiple cloud computing software vendors.
(e) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Cloud computing.--The term ``cloud computing'' has the
meaning given the term in Special Publication 800-145 of the
National Institute of Standards and Technology, or any
successor document.
(2) Comptroller general.--The term ``Comptroller General''
means the Comptroller General of the United States.
(3) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of
the Office of Management and Budget.
(4) Executive agency.--The term ``executive agency'' has
the meaning given the term in section 133 of title 41, United
States Code.
(5) Information and communications technology.--The term
``information and communications technology'' has the meaning
given the term in subpart 2.101 of the Federal Acquisition
Regulation, or successor regulation, and includes associated
services.
(6) Multi-cloud software technology.--The term ``multi-
cloud software technology'' means software technology that
allows for data, application, and program portability and
interoperability between multiple cloud computing software
vendors and between public, private, and edge cloud
environments in a manner that securely delivers operational and
management consistency, comprehensive visibility, and
resiliency.
(7) Relevant committees of congress.--The term ``relevant
committees of Congress'' means the Committee on Oversight and
Accountability of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the
Senate.
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