What Companies Specialize in Government Cloud Modernization?

A state agency still running a 15-year-old application has a difficult decision ahead. The system holds years of public records, connects with other government databases, and supports services that residents use every day. Moving it to the cloud sounds like a good idea until someone asks what happens to those records, how the applications will communicate, and who keeps everything running during the transition.

This is the kind of work government cloud modernization companies handle.

Government agencies face a different set of requirements when updating their IT infrastructure. Federal departments must follow strict security and procurement rules. State and local agencies deal with legacy applications, limited IT resources, and systems that have grown over several years.

A cloud migration partner needs to understand these requirements before touching the infrastructure.

Several technology companies work in this space, including federal IT contractors, global consulting firms, and specialists serving state and local governments. Here are 7 companies worth considering, along with the work they do and the types of government projects they support.

1. Accenture Federal Services

Accenture Federal Services works with US federal agencies on cloud adoption, application modernization, cybersecurity, and technology transformation.

Its work with Microsoft provides a useful example. In 2024, the 2 companies announced a Cloud Modernization and Migration Factory built on Azure Government. The initiative focuses on helping federal agencies move applications and workloads into government cloud environments.

That kind of experience matters for departments managing large application portfolios. A federal agency might have hundreds of applications, each with different security requirements and dependencies. Moving them all at once would create unnecessary risk.

Accenture Federal Services is worth considering when an agency needs help with a large cloud migration program, application redevelopment, or broader IT modernization.

Best for: Federal departments with large application portfolios and complex cloud migration requirements.

2. CGI Federal

CGI Federal works with US government organizations on cloud services, application development, systems integration, and IT modernization.

Its services include cloud-native development, DevSecOps, infrastructure management, and application modernization. These capabilities are relevant to agencies that want to update older systems while keeping existing government operations running.

Consider an agency that manages several applications built on different technologies. Some may rely on older databases, while others use newer web frameworks. Getting these systems to exchange information can become difficult as the technology ages.

CGI Federal's systems integration and application development experience is relevant to this type of project. Agencies can examine how its teams approach application dependencies, cloud architecture, and security during migration.

The company also works across major cloud platforms, including AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud.

Best for: Federal agencies working on application modernization, systems integration, and cloud-based software development.

3. General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT)

General Dynamics Information Technology has a long history of supporting US government technology programs.

Its services cover cloud computing, cybersecurity, digital services, IT infrastructure, and government systems modernization. GDIT also works on cloud financial management through its Smart Government capabilities.

This last area deserves attention. Government departments can spend substantial amounts on cloud infrastructure as more applications and services move online. Someone needs to track resource consumption, identify unnecessary spending, and make sure departments understand their cloud costs.

GDIT's work in cloud operations and financial management makes it relevant to agencies dealing with large infrastructure environments.

Its federal experience is another factor to examine when a project involves sensitive government systems or complex operational requirements.

Best for: Federal agencies managing large IT environments, cloud operations, cybersecurity, and government infrastructure programs.

4. IBM Consulting

IBM Consulting works with state and local government organizations on technology modernization, data management, application services, and digital government initiatives.

Many state agencies depend on older enterprise applications. Health and human services departments, for instance, may have separate systems for citizen records, eligibility processing, payments, and case management.

These applications need to exchange information accurately. A modernization project must account for those connections before changing the underlying infrastructure.

IBM's experience with enterprise applications, data platforms, hybrid cloud, and government technology makes it worth examining for agencies dealing with these requirements.

Its consulting work also covers public-sector areas such as transportation, education, and health and human services.

Best for: State and local agencies modernizing enterprise applications, government databases, and citizen-facing services.

5. Deloitte

Deloitte Government and Public Services works with federal, state, and local government organizations on technology consulting and digital transformation.

Its cloud consulting work includes migration planning, application modernization, infrastructure services, and enterprise technology strategy. Deloitte also works with AWS on government and public-sector cloud initiatives.

The company's broader consulting background is relevant when an agency's technology problems extend into its daily operations.

Take a department that still processes applications through paper forms and disconnected internal systems. Moving its database to the cloud won't automatically fix the delays. The agency may also need application changes, workflow automation, and better connections between departments.

Deloitte can be considered for projects where cloud work is part of a wider government technology program.

Before signing an agreement, ask which services the proposed team will handle directly and which will involve subcontractors or other technology partners.

Best for: Government agencies combining cloud migration with application development, business process changes, and digital service projects.

6. CTAC

CTAC is a government-focused technology services company working with federal and state agencies.

Its service areas include cloud consulting, architecture, migration, DevOps, cybersecurity, and application modernization. CTAC also works with AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud.

One practical reason to examine CTAC is its experience with government contracting. Public-sector procurement can take considerable time, and agencies often need to work through approved contract vehicles when purchasing professional services.

CTAC identifies government contract vehicles through which eligible organizations can procure its services. Agencies should check the current contract details and eligibility requirements before starting the purchasing process.

Its cloud services are relevant to departments that need help planning a migration, updating applications, or managing their cloud infrastructure after deployment.

Best for: Federal and state agencies looking for a government-focused technology provider with cloud consulting and IT modernization experience.

7. TekYantra

Tek Yantra works in government IT consulting, cloud infrastructure, DevOps, cybersecurity, and application modernization. Its public-sector focus includes California government agencies.

The company is worth considering for state and local agencies looking for technology consulting support across their existing IT environments.

Government application modernization often involves older systems that still support important departmental operations. Replacing these applications can require careful planning, database migration, testing, and coordination with other systems.

Tek Yantra's cloud and application services address these areas through cloud infrastructure consulting, application development, DevOps, and IT modernization work.

Its public-sector credentials include CMAS and ITMS certifications, which are relevant to California government procurement. Agencies should confirm the applicable contract and purchasing requirements for their specific project.

For departments planning a move to AWS GovCloud or Azure Government, it's also worth discussing the proposed architecture, security requirements, migration process, and ongoing support arrangements with the team.

Best for: California state and local agencies seeking cloud consulting, application modernization, DevOps, and government IT support.

What should a government cloud modernization project include?

The services required depend on the agency's existing infrastructure. A department moving a few internal applications has different requirements from a federal organization replacing an entire legacy technology environment.

Still, there are several areas you should discuss with a potential consulting partner.

Cloud migration and infrastructure planning

Before moving workloads, the agency needs an accurate picture of its existing infrastructure.

That includes application dependencies, databases, storage, network connections, licensing, and security requirements. A cloud consultant should examine these details and recommend an appropriate migration approach.

Some applications can move with relatively few changes. Others need code updates or a complete redevelopment effort.

The agency should receive a migration plan that explains the order of work, expected downtime, testing arrangements, and responsibilities after deployment.

Legacy application modernization

Government agencies often maintain applications built on older programming languages, databases, and software frameworks.

These systems can be difficult to update because other departments may depend on them. A change to one application can affect several connected services.

Application modernization can involve API development, database updates, containerization, or moving selected functions into newer applications.

Ask the consulting company how it handles legacy dependencies and whether its team has worked with similar government systems.

Government cloud security and compliance

Security requirements deserve attention from the beginning of a government cloud project.

US federal agencies may need to follow FedRAMP, FISMA, and agency-specific security requirements. State and local agencies have their own policies, contracts, and data protection obligations.

A provider should understand identity management, access controls, encryption, vulnerability management, security monitoring, and compliance documentation.

Also, check the authorization status of the actual cloud service and system involved. A provider's experience with FedRAMP does not automatically make every solution it builds FedRAMP authorized.

DevSecOps and application deployment

Government development teams need reliable processes for testing and releasing application updates.

DevSecOps brings security checks into the development and deployment process. Teams can use automated testing, code scanning, infrastructure automation, and controlled release pipelines to catch problems earlier.

This is particularly useful for agencies maintaining several applications with frequent updates.

Ask whether the consulting company can build these processes and train internal IT teams to manage them.

Cloud cost management

Cloud invoices can become difficult to track when several departments share infrastructure.

Government agencies need a clear view of which applications consume resources and how those costs are distributed across departments. Cost allocation, budget monitoring, and regular billing reviews help finance and IT teams understand spending.

A consulting partner should explain how it handles unused resources, workload sizing, cloud commitments, and ongoing cost reviews.

This work should also account for application performance and availability. Cutting infrastructure costs at the expense of a public service creates a different problem.

How to evaluate a government cloud consulting company

A company may have impressive cloud credentials, but its experience needs to match the agency's actual requirements.

Before selecting a provider, ask these questions:

1. Which government agencies have you worked with? Ask for relevant project references, including the type of agency and work performed.
2. Which cloud platforms do you support? Check experience with AWS GovCloud, Azure Government, or other platforms required by your project.
3. How do you handle legacy applications? Ask for details about previous migration and application redevelopment work.
4. What security requirements have you supported? Discuss FedRAMP, FISMA, and applicable state or local requirements.
5. Who will manage the project? Find out whether the proposed work will be performed by internal staff, subcontractors, or a combination.
6. What happens after migration? Clarify ongoing maintenance, monitoring, incident response, and technical support.
7. Which contract vehicles can we use? Verify procurement eligibility and the scope of the applicable agreement.

I'd pay particular attention to the last 2 questions. A migration project can finish on schedule and still leave an agency struggling with maintenance, documentation, or support responsibilities.

Get those details in writing before the contract is signed.

Final thoughts

Government cloud modernization requires people who understand public-sector systems, security requirements, and the realities of working with older applications.

Accenture Federal Services, CGI Federal, and GDIT are worth examining for large federal technology programs. IBM Consulting and Deloitte have broader government consulting practices, while CTAC focuses on government technology services. Tek Yantra is another option for California agencies looking for cloud and IT modernization support.

Start with the agency's actual requirements. Check the provider's government project experience, verify its procurement eligibility, and ask who will handle the work after deployment.

A well-planned modernization project should leave the agency with systems its IT team can maintain, secure, and operate for years to come.