In March 2000, the Deputy Secretary of Agriculture gave direct management and oversight in the development and coordination of the IT component of the Service Center Modernization Initiative (SCMI) to the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO). This includes the implementation of a common technology infrastructure to replace the outdated and stove piped systems currently supporting the Farm Service Agency, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Rural Development. In partnership with the above agencies, OCIO is on target to ensure the basic common computer environment technology infrastructure becomes operational in FY2002.

The success of the SCMI, relies heavily on the partnerships developed among the three Agencies and the OCIO. All SCMI Information Technology activities are coordinated through the Information Technology Working Group (ITWG) under the direction of the OCIO. The ITWG includes the CIO's of the three Agencies, SCMI-IT Team Leaders, employee organization representation and partner representation. The Executive Director of the National Food and Agriculture Council represents the program interests on the ITWG. A Senior Executive from the OCIO chairs the ITWG.