Data center consolidation and software licensing are the two largest areas where federal CIO’s and their staffs need to make progress, according to the latest round of FITARA report cards released this week.  “Since the last scorecard, 3 agencies’ grades increased, 15 agencies’ grades stayed the same, and 6 decreased”, according to Representative Will Hurd (R-TX), a leading Congressional supporter of improved federal IT operations.  At the same time, however, NextGov.com reports that approximately one-third of CIO positions are still open, 10 months into the current administration.  Other CIO’s may either be new to government or new to their agency.  As such, the report card shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise.  Acting CIO’s, many of whom were in charge during much of the reporting period, are traditionally reluctant to embark on new programs.  New people need time to get their programs running at full speed.  The issuance of the FITARA report card, though, poses a great opportunity for contractors to have discussions with federal customers about how to address deficiencies.  There are more people in place now to have those discussions, despite vacancies, and the number of vacancies, too, should shrink.