Federal Data Center Enhancement Act of 2023

12/15/2023, 4:06 PM

Federal Data Center Enhancement Act of 2023

This bill modifies requirements relating to federal agency data centers.

Specifically, the General Services Administration (GSA) must establish minimum requirements for new data centers, including regarding

  • the availability and use of new data centers;
  • the use of sustainable energy sources;
  • uptime percentage;
  • protections against power failures, including on-site energy generation and access to multiple transmission paths;
  • protections against physical intrusions and natural disasters; and
  • information security protections.

The GSA must issue guidance to ensure that covered agencies incorporate the minimum requirements into current data centers.

During the development and planning of a new data center, an agency must report to the GSA and Congress upon determining it is likely to make a management or financial decision relating to such data center.

In determining whether to establish a new data center or continue to operate an existing data center, an agency must (1) ensure that each at-risk legacy application is updated, replaced, or modernized; and (2) prioritize and leverage commercial cloud environments.

The GSA must maintain a public-facing website that includes information related to agency compliance with data center requirements.

An agency must oversee and manage the data center portfolio and the information technology strategy of the agency in accordance with federal cybersecurity guidelines and directives.

The Government Accountability Office must review, verify, and audit compliance with the minimum requirements for new and existing data centers.

Congress
118

Number
S - 933

Introduced on
2023-03-22

# Amendments
0

Sponsors
+5

Variations and Revisions

4/27/2023

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
House to Vote
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

Federal Data Center Enhancement Act of 2023

This bill modifies requirements relating to federal agency data centers.

Specifically, the General Services Administration (GSA) must establish minimum requirements for new data centers, including regarding

  • the availability and use of new data centers;
  • the use of sustainable energy sources;
  • uptime percentage;
  • protections against power failures, including on-site energy generation and access to multiple transmission paths;
  • protections against physical intrusions and natural disasters; and
  • information security protections.

The GSA must issue guidance to ensure that covered agencies incorporate the minimum requirements into current data centers.

During the development and planning of a new data center, an agency must report to the GSA and Congress upon determining it is likely to make a management or financial decision relating to such data center.

In determining whether to establish a new data center or continue to operate an existing data center, an agency must (1) ensure that each at-risk legacy application is updated, replaced, or modernized; and (2) prioritize and leverage commercial cloud environments.

The GSA must maintain a public-facing website that includes information related to agency compliance with data center requirements.

An agency must oversee and manage the data center portfolio and the information technology strategy of the agency in accordance with federal cybersecurity guidelines and directives.

The Government Accountability Office must review, verify, and audit compliance with the minimum requirements for new and existing data centers.

Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedA bill to amend the Carl Levin and Howard P. "Buck" McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 to modify requirements relating to data centers of certain Federal agencies, and for other purposes.

Policy Areas
Government Operations and Politics

Potential Impact
Alternative and renewable resources
Computer security and identity theft
Computers and information technology
Congressional oversight
Emergency planning and evacuation
Energy efficiency and conservation
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Public contracts and procurement

Comments

Recent Activity

Latest Summary10/12/2023

Federal Data Center Enhancement Act of 2023

This bill modifies requirements relating to federal agency data centers.

Specifically, the General Services Administration (GSA) must establish minimum requirements for ne...


Latest Action4/27/2023
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 39.