About ATARC
The Advanced Technology Academic Research Center (ATARC) is where government missions meet innovation and collaboration.
ATARC is not a think tank—it is a technology integration hub that unites leaders from government, industry, and academia to tackle complex innovation challenges. Instead of producing abstract recommendations or theoretical models, ATARC focuses on applied collaboration, helping the Federal government understand, evaluate and integrate emerging technologies in operational contexts.
Through interactive events, hands-on Working Groups and focused technical exchanges, ATARC enables government stakeholders to engage directly with innovators. These engagements provide meaningful, low-barrier opportunities for agencies to explore market-ready solutions, gather insights from field-tested practices, and inform procurement and policy decisions with real-world experience—not detached analysis.
ATARC’s mission is to foster results-oriented public-private collaboration that drives modernization and advances mission effectiveness. Whether through curated technology showcases, mission-focused roundtables, or strategic technical exchanges, ATARC serves as a trusted advisor and catalyst for impactful change.
We don’t just talk about innovation—we help agencies deploy it. Join us in shaping the future of government technology through purpose-driven collaboration.
Our Journey
Founded in September 2012 by Tom Suder, ATARC has its roots in the Advanced Mobility Academic Research Center (AMARC), which was influenced by the Digital Government Strategy. With a mission to bridge the gap between government, industry, and academia, ATARC is dedicated to fostering dialogue and collaboration to tackle the most pressing technology challenges of our time. ATARC’s story began with AMARC’s initial focus on Federal Mobile Computing Summits, and quickly expanded to include Cloud Computing and IT Networks thanks to a partnership with the General Services Administration in 2013. As the digital landscape evolved, so did we. In early 2014, AMARC transitioned into ATARC, broadening our roots to encompass a wide array of technology areas such as Cybersecurity, DevOps, Data & Analytics, and Health IT.
Milestones
In 2017, ATARC made a significant impact with the publication of “Navigating the Future of Mobile Services,” a 235-page report for the American Technology Council and Federal CIO Council. This collaborative effort, involving over 160 contributors from 75 agencies, bureaus, and companies, underscored our commitment to the principles of the Digital Government Strategy.
By 2018, ATARC had published its 25th White Paper in partnership with MITRE, offering valuable insights from our Federal IT Summit Series. Our work has delved deep into the realms of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Analytics (DA), exploring how these technologies can transform government operations by enhancing decision-making, optimizing processes, and driving efficiency.
Expanding ATARC
The Government Information Technology Executive Council (GITEC) was established in response to a June 28th, 1966, White House memorandum to provide a forum through which Senior Level Government and Industry Executives could share and collaborate on IT ideas, challenges and successes. GITEC merged with ATARC on May 31, 2018, following a decisive vote by government stakeholders. This collaborative decision united two like-minded non-profits with a shared vision. This merger has been crucial in addressing the technology challenges, as it came during a period when the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated significant shifts towards remote work and digital solutions. The integration of AI and DA has proven instrumental in supporting government agencies during this transition.
At ATARC, we proudly honor GITEC’s long legacy of innovation and leadership in federal IT. Building on decades of pioneering work, we continue to celebrate GITEC’s impact by hosting an annual conference that brings together thought leaders, innovators, and decision-makers. This event is a cornerstone of our commitment to fostering collaboration and driving forward the future of government technology.
On June 1, 2023, GovExec, a leading sales and marketing intelligence company, acquired ATARC. ATARC remains an independent division, working alongside GovExec, continuing to expand its reach and deepen its connections with federal leaders. This strategic move has empowered ATARC to offer even greater insights and foster collaboration, leveraging GovExec’s extensive resources. With this partnership, ATARC remains a non-biased organization, dedicated to providing educational content for the federal government, industry, and academia, ensuring our primary goal of supporting informed decision-making remains steadfast.o offer even greater insights and foster collaboration, reinforcing GovExec’s leadership in supporting government missions.