[digiphile]

I can think of any number of blog posts that pack more buzzwords per paragraph than this, but your experience may vary. http://mobile.slate.com/articles/business/moneybox/2013/05/d...

To your substantive point, no one skimped on reliability here. The content was pushed into Akamai precisely so it would always be available, quickly, to end users. Reducing servers in this context isn't skimping -- it's saving money by using modern Web tech. Developing this site also wasn't an option, as your comment implies: the law required its development and deployment. If you'd like public funds directed elsewhere, call your Congressional representatives.

[docthink]

but that doesn't seem super innovative. others in government have used akamai as origin servers--TSA then DHS did this in 06 and got rid of a bunch of servers.