A recent NextGov article predicts that IT systems modernization, cyber, and data center optimization are three of the of top four federal IT priorities for this year.  While some have changed focus, these probably look very familiar to IT contractors.  Rounding out the top four is planning for the networks of the future, a topic that first started getting industry ink last year. This item could also be seen as an extension of “IT systems modernization”.  All of this points to the reality that the feds have both big issues to deal with and not enough money or resources to address them.  Money is indeed the caveat this year as we will be at least four months – and probably more – into the 2018 fiscal year before anyone sees new appropriated dollars.  That means that no matter how much you and your customer may think that modernization or asset protection are great ideas that little will get done on those fronts if they require appropriated dollars to implement new solutions. It’s good to have to know what your major focus areas are and to have a plan to address them.  Without money to implement the plans though, look for this year’s priorities to pop up again next year.