Fed Gov Today
Veteran host Francis Rose gives Federal government decision-makers news and information about management, workforce, IT, and acquisition, to help those leaders do their jobs better.
Inside Interior’s IT Shakeup: Lou Eichenbaum on Zero Trust, Culture, and Collaboration
On this episode of Fed Gov Today with Francis Rose, we go inside the sweeping IT transformation at the Department of the Interior. Former Interior CISO Lou Eichenbaum joins Francis to discuss how the department consolidated all of its IT resources and 2210s into a single organization — without a CIO — as part of a bold modernization initiative. Lou shares how phase one of the effort incorporated zero trust principles, expanded vulnerability assessment tools, and drove MFA compliance from 30% to 97% in just over three years.Â
He also opens...
Teaching Space Robots to Think: Naval Research Lab’s Reinforcement Learning Breakthrough
This edition of Fed Gov Today with Francis Rose, takes you to the cutting edge of robotics in space. Dr. Samantha Chapin, Space Roboticist, and Dr. Kenneth Stewart, Computer Research Scientist at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), share how their team is using reinforcement learning — a flavor of machine learning inspired by dog training — to teach robots to operate autonomously in space. They explain why human time in space is so precious, how reinforcement learning allows robots to adapt in unpredictable environments, and why the International Spac...
Agile Warfare: Inside the Army’s Digital & Electromagnetic Revolution
The Fed Gov Today TV Show airs on Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m. E.T. on ABC 7. You can also watch on Demand on Youtube. Listen to Fed Gov Today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anytime at FedGovToday.com.
CMMC Is Here: What Every DOD Vendor Must Know Before November 10
In this episode of Fed Gov Today with Francis Rose, the clock is ticking for vendors that do business with the Department of Defense. The long-anticipated final rule for the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is officially out, and it takes effect November 10. That means solicitations will soon include CMMC requirements — and with more than 100,000 companies needing assessments, competition for assessors will heat up fast.
Government contracts expert, Eric Crusius of Hunton Andrews Kurth, joins Francis to break down the rule’s three-tier model, the phased roll...
VA Whistleblower Oversight: GAO Finds Gaps and Missed Follow-Through
In this episode of Fed Gov Today with Francis Rose, we dive deep into how the Department of Veterans Affairs manages whistleblower cases. Tom Costa, Director of Education, Workforce, and Income Security at the Government Accountability Office, joins the program to share GAO’s latest insights on recordkeeping, settlement tracking, and the need for stronger follow-through on corrective actions designed to protect whistleblowers.
Costa discusses why whistleblower retaliation cases at VA have shifted since 2020, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and explains why differences between VA...
Veterans First: VA’s Drive to Modernize IT, Accelerate Benefits & Harness AI
The Fed Gov Today TV Show airs on Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m. E.T. on ABC 7. You can also watch on Demand on Youtube. Listen to Fed Gov Today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anytime at FedGovToday.com.
Back to School for Your Retirement: TSP Lessons You Can’t Afford to Skip
It’s back-to-school season, but this time, the lessons are for your future financial security. On this edition of Fed Gov Today with Francis Rose, we dive into the Thrift Savings Plan’s growing library of resources designed to help federal employees and military service members make smarter retirement decisions. Jim Kaplan, Director of External Affairs at the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board, joins Francis to share how participants can access online learning, live webinars, and bite-sized YouTube videos to better understand everything from investment options and in-service withdrawals to long...
The CIO Crisis: Why Short Tenures Threaten Federal IT Modernization
On this edition of Fed Gov Today with Francis Rose, we dive into the persistent challenges slowing down federal IT modernization. Despite growing urgency to upgrade systems and strengthen cybersecurity, the average CIO tenure remains just two to two and a half years—barely enough time to build relationships, understand sprawling enterprises, and execute meaningful strategies.Â
Francis sits down with Nick Marinos, Managing Director of Information Technology and Cybersecurity at the Government Accountability Office (GAO), to discuss why DHS has 43 open GAO recommendations across IT, financial man...
From 32 to 282: The Explosive Rise of Generative AI in Federal Agencies
On this edition of Fed Gov Today with Francis Rose, we dive into one of the fastest-growing shifts in federal technology: the skyrocketing use of generative AI across government. According to new findings from the Government Accountability Office, generative AI use cases jumped ninefold in just one year—growing from 32 in 2023 to 282 in 2024. Candice Wright, Director of Science, Technology Assessment, and Analytics at GAO, joins Francis to break down what’s driving this surge, which agencies are leading the way, and how AI is reshaping government operations.
Wr...
The FAR Overhaul: Cutting Red Tape or Losing the Point?
On this edition of Fed Gov Today with Francis Rose, procurement law expert, Alan Chvotkin, partner at Centre Law Group, joins the program to unpack the ongoing overhaul of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). From its original goal in 1984—to create a single, uniform, government-wide standard for buying goods and services—to today’s piecemeal reforms, Alan explains what’s been fixed, what’s been lost, and what still needs attention.Â
He highlights the FAR Council’s recent rule change on System for Award Management (SAM) registration...
Inside NGA’s AI Future: Cloud Evolution, Zero Trust & Cybersecurity at Mission Speed
The Fed Gov Today TV Show airs on Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m. E.T. on ABC 7. You can also watch on Demand on Youtube. Listen to Fed Gov Today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anytime at FedGovToday.com.
The AI Bargain: What $1 Government Deals Really Mean
Former Administrator of Federal Procurement Policy and current Octoparo CEO, Joe Jordan, joins Francis to unpack the new government-wide deals on artificial intelligence. From the so-called “$1 AI licenses” to the promises of massive cost savings, Joe explains why these teaser agreements may not be as transformative as they sound—and why agencies must think just as hard about how to exit contracts as they do about entering them. He shares lessons learned from past technology procurements, warns against the dangers of lock-in, and highlights the importance of piloting, transparency, and taking smart risks that can fu...
Who Will Lead? The Federal Executive Crisis No One Talks About
This episode dives into the leadership crisis facing federal government executives. Former OPM Associate Director, Ron Sanders, joins Francis to unpack why senior executives feel isolated, without peers or mentors to guide them, and how new executive development programs from OPM are attempting to fill the void. Sanders reflects on the failures of the Federal Executive Institute (FEI), why generic leadership training doesn’t cut it, and what truly matters for senior leaders in the U.S. government—understanding the Constitution, the law, and the unique responsibilities of American civil service…
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The $1 AI Revolution: What Government’s Next Big Move Means
On this edition of Fed Gov Today with Francis Rose, former Joint Artificial Intelligence Center Director Lt. Gen. Jack Shanahan (USAF, Ret.) joins to discuss a turning point for artificial intelligence in government. With the General Services Administration striking deals to make AI tools available across agencies for as little as $1, Shanahan breaks down what these agreements mean for federal users, the defense community, and the broader industrial base.
From experimental pilots to life-or-death missions, Shanahan stresses the importance of rapid experimentation, rigorous testing, and government-led evaluation before AI is...
From Seabed to Space: Inside NRL’s Game-Changing Tech & Congress’s Big Protest Dilemma
The Fed Gov Today TV Show airs on Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m. E.T. on ABC 7. You can also watch on Demand on Youtube. Listen to Fed Gov Today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anytime at FedGovToday.com.
IRS Scraps Broken Kiosk Program After Years of Taxpayer Frustration
In this episode of Fed Gov Today with Francis Rose, you will learn why the IRS is pulling the plug on its long-troubled taxpayer self-service kiosks. Eleina Monroe, Chief of Staff for Inspections and Evaluations at the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA), reveals how more than half of the 100 kiosks in 37 field offices were out of service—some for over a year—due to outdated trackball navigation, unrepairable parts, and vague contractor requirements. Monroe explains that a lack of contract oversight and missing performance standards left taxpayers without func...
AI Meets Diplomacy: How the State Department is Harnessing Tech to Shape Global Relations
Francis sits down with retired Foreign Service officer Don Kilburg to explore the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in the world of diplomacy. Drawing from his new book, AI Use Cases for Diplomats, Kilburg outlines why he believes AI isn’t just a helpful tool but a responsibility for global leaders to embrace.Â
He discusses his 100 practical AI use cases for diplomats, designed as both a field manual and a vision for the future, and explains why AI and diplomacy must evolve together to address global cha...
Modernizing Acquisition: The FAR Overhaul and the Future of Federal Technology
The Fed Gov Today TV Show airs on Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m. E.T. on ABC 7. You can also watch on Demand on Youtube. Listen to Fed Gov Today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anytime at FedGovToday.com.
Unleashing Federal Innovation: Giving CTOs the Power to Say No
Colonel Mac McHenry, US Marine Corps Reserve (Ret.) and senior advisor at the Defense Innovation Unit, joins the show to discuss why Chief Technology Officers in government are struggling to drive innovation—despite being tasked as strategic visionaries. Drawing from his recent RealClearDefense article, “The Toothless Technologist,” Mac explains how the government imported the CTO model from the private sector but failed to give it the operational influence needed to be effective.Â
You’ll hear a candid breakdown of how federal acquisition and organizational silos are holding back tech prog...
Why Every Unspent Dollar Makes TSP Stronger: Inside the Thrift Plan’s Budget Discipline
Francis welcomes Jim Kaplan, Director of External Affairs at the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board, to explain how the TSP prioritizes spending less—not more—in order to keep more dollars invested directly in your account. Kaplan details how the agency’s consistent track record of executing below budget reflects a fiduciary mindset focused on maximizing long-term value for you and other federal employees and retirees. You’ll hear how the TSP is using participant feedback, new technology, and a culture of constant improvement to streamline operations—from cutting call times to deploying AI that helps...
From Red Tape to Real-Time: How OneGov & AI Are Powering the Pentagon’s Tech Leap
The Fed Gov Today TV Show airs on Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m. E.T. on ABC 7. You can also watch on Demand on Youtube. Listen to Fed Gov Today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anytime at FedGovToday.com.
AI, Cyber, and the New War Zone: Inside the Military’s Non-Kinetic Battlefield
This episode explores how artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cyber capabilities are redefining both frontline and back-office military operations. Mike Black, retired Air Force Colonel and Vice President for Defense at AFCEA International, joins Francis to share insights from AFCEA events around the globe—including what’s trending, what’s urgent, and what the joint force is prioritizing in this rapidly evolving landscape.
Listeners will learn how the Department of Defense is adapting to these challenges through initiatives like SWIFT (Software Fast Track), signed into action just three months ago, and al...
Time Out on Protests: Can Data and Discipline Fix Federal Contracting?
Former GSA executive, Erv Koehler, dives into the federal government’s long-running challenge with bid protests—and offers practical, innovative solutions. From football-inspired “timeouts” to rethinking price assessments, Erv explains how the government can cut down on frivolous protests without undermining legitimate contractor concerns.
You’ll learn how the Government Accountability Office's recent stats—showing that over half of protests lead to some form of remedy—reveal both the value and the burden of the current protest system. He discusses how implementing a protest “timeout” policy could incentivize contractors to think twice before filing base...
Legacy Code, Missing Plans, and the AI Surge Shaking Federal IT
The Fed Gov Today TV Show airs on Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m. E.T. on ABC 7. You can also watch on Demand on Youtube. Listen to Fed Gov Today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anytime at FedGovToday.com.
Reconciliation, OCO, and the FY27 Budget Risk: Todd Harrison Explains
Todd Harrison, Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, joins Francis to examine the fiscal year 2026 defense budget proposal from the Trump administration, which totals $848 billion. Harrison discusses how the reconciliation process is being used to fund Department of Defense programs and compares it to the previous use of Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) funding.Â
He explains the procedural and political differences between the two methods and outlines the implications for future budgeting, particularly in FY27. You’ll learn how these fiscal mechanisms influence national defense planning, what’s at stake for high-priority progr...
The Hidden Crisis in Federal Contracting: Why Protests Keep Winning
Chris Hamm, CEO of FIN Acquisitions and former director of FEDSIM at GSA, joins the program to discuss a provision in the Senate’s version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that aims to reduce frivolous bid protests in federal contracting. Hamm outlines the intent behind Section 816 of the NDAA, which seeks to create financial disincentives for contractors who file meritless protests. He explains why, despite the good intentions, the proposed clawback mechanism is unlikely to succeed due to limitations in appropriations law and challenges in enforcing profit recovery.
You’ll hear...
From Zero to Hero: How the Army’s AI Surge Is Rewriting the Rules
The Fed Gov Today TV Show airs on Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m. E.T. on ABC 7. You can also watch on Demand on Youtube. Listen to Fed Gov Today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anytime at FedGovToday.com.
Cracking the Code: How DLA’s Tech Data Overhaul Will Strengthen the Pentagon’s Supply Chain
In this episode of Fed Gov Today, you will get an inside look at a groundbreaking transformation taking place at the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). Acting Commander Kenneth Watson of DLA Land and Maritime joins the show to detail the agency’s Technical Data Management Transformation (TDMT), a bold initiative aimed at digitizing and modernizing how the DLA handles technical specifications for military parts and equipment.Â
You will learn how DLA is working closely with the Army as a pilot case, using new tools to streamline dat...
Rewiring the IC: Can Reform Strengthen Security Without Missing a Beat?
Former ODNI and DOD Chief Information Officer, John Sherman, joins the show to break down the sweeping implications of the Intelligence Community Efficiency and Effectiveness Act of 2025. If passed, this legislation could dramatically reshape the structure, mission, and operational dynamics of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) and the broader intelligence community.
Sherman shares his personal perspective on why the legislation “mostly hits the mark,” what aspects give him pause—like the proposed closure of the National Intelligence University—and why the balance between reform and cont...
Inside Force Design 2028, DoD Deadlines, and a New Era of Federal Oversight
The Fed Gov Today TV Show airs on Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m. E.T. on ABC 7. You can also watch on Demand on Youtube. Listen to Fed Gov Today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anytime at FedGovToday.com.
One Federal Wallet: Why GSA’s Acquisition Consolidation Could Reshape All of Government
Today we dive into one of the most significant procurement transformations happening across the federal government—the consolidation of acquisition under the General Services Administration (GSA). Former FAS Commissioner and Alpha Tango Strategies founder, Alan Thomas, joins the show to dissect what’s driving this bold shift and why it matters to agencies, vendors, and small businesses alike.
You’ll learn why the Department of Homeland Security’s sudden cancellation of its PACTS III and FirstSource III contracts—transferring that work to GSA—sent ripples across the acquisition community. Alan explains how...
Flexing Federal Muscle: How Uncle Sam Can Truly Drive Innovation
Francis welcomes Dr. Jerry McGinn—Executive Director of the Baroni Center for Government Contracting at George Mason University and former Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense—for a deep dive into one of the most urgent and complex questions in federal policy: Can the government truly lead innovation at scale?Â
Jerry unveils new research showing a staggering 220% increase in Other Transaction Authority (OTA) contract spending since 2018, while also revealing why much of that growth remains difficult to quantify in terms of real-world outcomes. You’ll learn why OTA contracts and SBIR pr...
Retirement on Autopilot: How the TSP’s L Funds Are Changing the Game
Listeners will learn how the L Funds work, why nearly 25% of participant allocations are now going into them, and how they automatically shift investments toward safer assets as retirement nears. Jim Kaplan, Director of External Affairs at the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board, joins the show to break down what that milestone means and why it matters for your retirement planning. Jim also explains how the L Funds’ default status for new enrollees simplifies decision-making while still offering flexibility for participants to customize their strategy.
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Autonomy Adrift: Why the Navy’s Uncrewed Fleet Is Stuck in Port
The Fed Gov Today TV Show airs on Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m. E.T. on ABC 7. You can also watch on Demand on Youtube. Listen to Fed Gov Today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anytime at FedGovToday.com.
The Pentagon’s AI Gamble: Can Automation Save U.S. Weapons Testing?
Former Director of the Office of Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E) at the Department of Defense, Doug Schmidt, unpacks one of the most pressing challenges in national security: the future of weapons testing in a rapidly evolving, tech-driven military landscape. Schmidt lends his insider perspective on the implications of a new directive from the Secretary of Defense —one that dramatically reshapes DOT&E with a leaner workforce and increased emphasis on automation and artificial intelligence.
Listeners will gain a rare glimpse into the high-stakes tension between innovation and oversight, as Schmidt di...
Data is the Mission: Clare Martorana on Tech, Talent, and Trust in Government
Former Federal CIO, Clare Martorana, unpacks the complex, fast-evolving role of data in driving government performance and public service. Clare explores how federal agencies are racing to keep up by improving data management, modernizing IT infrastructure, and nurturing cross-agency collaboration.
She speaks openly about the patchwork progress across the federal ecosystem and the urgent need for sustainable funding strategies and partnerships with Congress to match the speed of innovation.
You’ll also hear a powerful defense of bipartisan collaboration and continuity in federal tech programs like th...
Mission Possible: The CIA’s AI Breakthrough and the End of the Old IT Playbook
The Fed Gov Today TV Show airs on Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m. E.T. on ABC 7. You can also watch on Demand on Youtube. Listen to Fed Gov Today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anytime at FedGovToday.com.
Where’s the Money Going? Suzette Kent Unpacks the Future of Federal Tech Modernization
Former Federal CIO, Suzette Kent, joins Francis to dissect the pivotal modernization challenges facing every federal agency. With the future of the Technology Modernization Fund (TMF) hanging in the balance—especially as the Trump administration’s FY 2026 budget proposes zero dollars for it—Kent offers a candid, insider perspective on what the next generation of federal IT funding could (and should) look like.
Listeners will learn what alternative funding mechanisms could emerge, and why evolving how we fund tech change is vital in an age of rapid innovation, cyber threats, AI adoption, and ou...
Full Steam Ahead: Coast Guard Goes All-In on Digital Modernization
The Fed Gov Today TV Show airs on Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m. E.T. on ABC 7. You can also watch on Demand on Youtube. Listen to Fed Gov Today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anytime at FedGovToday.com.
The TSP Shake-Up: What Every Fed Needs to Know Now
Your retirement strategy just got a crucial update!
Two top leaders from the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board, Jim Kaplan, Director of External Affairs, and Jim Courtney, Director of the Office of Participant Experience—join Francis to break down what's changing, what’s staying, and what it all means for your money.
Listeners will get the inside scoop on the imminent retirement of the L 2025 Fund and the introduction of the L 2075 Fund, aimed at the newest generation of federal employees. You’ll learn how automatic defaul...
