The Department of Transportation is undergoing changes to how it manages its information technology staff and projects, with new directives from Secretary Sean Duffy aiming to boost efficiency in the agency by shuffling how IT systems and activities are run.
Two April 16-dated memorandums obtained by Nextgov/FCW were sent to agency leadership: one setting a new reporting structure for agency IT activities, and the other announcing a new detail to consolidate IT departments within each of Transportation’s operating administrations.
The first memo established new protocols for all IT programming within Transportation. It confirmed that the agency’s chief information officer will oversee the continued evaluation of the current agency IT portfolio and noted that all other offices require final approval from the office of the CIO prior to the initiation of new IT programming — such as acquisitions, investment, modernization and systems management.
These protocols go into effect immediately.
“Information Technology (IT) is an essential part of achieving the President’s vision for a more efficient and accountable government,” the memo said. “The CIO will oversee the continued evaluation and monitoring of the DOT IT portfolio to ensure operational efficiency, cost-effectiveness, strategic alignment, and compliance with all required federal and Departmental mandates.”
The current CIO at Transportation is Pavan Pidugu, who took office in February 2025.
Any IT activities and projects that have not obtained express approval from the CIO must be paused until they are deemed to be “fully aligned with the necessary governance requirements and receive appropriate authorization.”
The other memo dealt directly with Transportation’s IT staff. Scheduled to commence on June 16, select agency leadership are asked to identify all IT personnel within individual agency departments and provide their contact information to Charles Taumoepeau — listed on LinkedIn as the director of planning and portfolio management within Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration — by May 9.
“This initiative is designed to enhance our department’s immediate and long-term technological capabilities, as well as strengthen oversight and alignment with our strategic IT objectives,” the memo stated.
The memo noted that this change is expected to enhance IT personnel and CIO collaboration, increase standardization across the agency to improve interoperability and efficiency, enable faster decision-making, create enhanced digital security and offer improved reporting updates.
The emphasis on technological staff reorganization and increased oversight into IT system activities within the agency track with the Trump administration’s prioritization of improving efficiency across the federal government.
