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.
Fix Your Data, Fix Your AI: The Hidden Key to Smarter Government Tech
This episode of Fed Gov Today features Francis Rose in conversation with federal data expert Kshemendra Paul on why data—not AI—is the real foundation of innovation. They explore how poor data governance fuels AI risks like bias and hallucinations, and how agencies can unlock high-fidelity AI by improving data quality, sharing, and standards. From the President’s Management Agenda to real-world interoperability challenges, Paul explains why shifting from agency silos to ecosystem-driven governance is critical. The discussion highlights how aligning CIOs, CDOs, and data strategies can drive smarter, more efficient government services in the...
AI, Cyber, and the Government’s Race to Move Faster Without Breaking Security
The Fed Gov Today TV Show airs on Sunday mornings at 10:00 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.
Inside the State Department’s $10B Gamble: How “Evolve” Rewrites Federal Contracting Forever
The State Department’s massive $10 billion Evolve contract is finally live—marking a milestone in federal acquisition. Former Senior Procurement Executive Mike Derrios breaks down the strategy behind bringing contract management in-house, the challenges of handling over 100 proposals, and why perseverance was key to success. He explores whether Evolve could be the last of its kind amid growing pressure for contract consolidation and GSA-led solutions. Plus, insights on the sweeping FAR overhaul and the cultural shift agencies must embrace to truly modernize procurement. This episode unpacks what it takes to transform government contracting at scale—and what comes next.<...
AI Predicts Weather in 60 Seconds, Government CX Data, and the Critical Minerals Race
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 in VA Hospitals Sparks Watchdog Warning: What Veterans Need to Know
The Department of Veterans Affairs is expanding the use of generative AI tools across the Veterans Health Administration, including an ambient AI scribe that automatically documents conversations between doctors and patients. While the technology aims to improve efficiency and reduce administrative burden for clinicians, the VA’s Office of Inspector General is raising an early warning. Inspector General Cheryl Mason explains that the primary concern isn’t the technology itself—but the lack of standardized safeguards and reporting processes to track potential AI errors, including “hallucinations.” Mason joins Fed Gov Today to discuss oversight of emerging AI tools in healthcare...
Why the Military Won’t Trust AI Until It Logs Thousands of Hours
Trust—not technology—may be the biggest barrier to deploying advanced AI on the battlefield. In this episode of Fed Gov Today with Francis Rose, Marine Corps Warfighting Lab Science and Technology Director Colonel Kenneth Jones explains how the military is evolving unmanned systems from simple drones into complex networks of sensors, shooters, and autonomous platforms. Jones outlines how Marines aim to control multiple systems from a single interface while reducing cognitive load through AI-driven orchestration. But true adoption depends on experience. Just like early aviation, Jones says thousands of operational hours are needed before operators fully trust autonomous syst...
Inside the Pentagon’s Tech Race: Army’s MOSA Push, AI at the Edge, and the Budget Battle Ahead
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.
Inside the Navy’s New Warfighting Playbook: CNO on the Culture Shift Reshaping the Fleet
The Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Darryl Caudle, is rolling out new fighting instructions designed to reshape how the Navy prepares for combat and delivers naval power around the world. On this episode of Fed Gov Today, Admiral Caudle joins Francis Rose to explain the thinking behind the guidance and why he believes it represents a fundamental paradigm shift for the fleet. Rather than relying on an “all-or-nothing” approach to combat certification, Caudle wants the Navy to tailor naval forces to specific operational problems and deliver the right capability at the right time. He desc...
Why the Military Must Modernize NOW: The AI-Powered ‘Resilience Stack’ Changing National Security
On this episode of Fed Gov Today, Francis Rose speaks with Samdesk Founder and CEO James Neufeld about how the Air Force and other agencies are adapting to a rapidly evolving information landscape. Neufeld explains why modernization and readiness are now inseparable, highlighting the need for a “resilience stack” built around frameworks like OODA and Samdesk’s ADAR model—anticipate, detect, analyze, and resolve. The conversation also explores how artificial intelligence is becoming core infrastructure and why agencies must break complex problems into targeted AI applications to improve decision-making speed and mission success.
The End of Battlefield Secrets? Speed, AI, and the New Open-Source Intelligence War
This episode of Fed Gov Today dives into a provocative question shaking the intelligence community: Are battlefield secrets a thing of the past? Former NGA Director Vice Admiral Trey Whitworth (US Navy, Ret.) joins Francis Rose to unpack the rise of open-source intelligence (OSINT), the balance between speed and accuracy, and why corroboration remains the “coin of the realm.”
Whitworth challenges the idea that traditional analysts resist OSINT, emphasizing instead that leaders want “everything”—but validated and decision-ready. From social media’s role in military operations to the evolving definition of open sourc...
From the Parthenon to Prevention: Rebuilding Government with AI and Stopping $11.7B in Fraud
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.
Service Delivery Shake-Up: How VA’s CX Playbook Is Rewriting the Rules of Government
On this edition of Fed Gov Today, CX expert Martha Dorris explains how the Government Service Delivery Improvement Act is redefining accountability and governance across federal agencies.
The VA offers a powerful model—combining operational and experience data, challenging “myth vs. law” requirements, and embedding human-centered design into care delivery. From wayfinding volunteers in medical centers to innovative transportation partnerships, VA shows how low-tech and high-tech solutions can work together.
Subscribe and listen to the Fed Gov Today Podcast anytime on Apple Podcasts, <...
TSP’s Big Roth Move: Why Thousands of Feds Are Converting Now
The Thrift Savings Plan has launched Roth in-plan conversions, allowing participants to move traditional TSP funds into a Roth account and pay taxes now for tax-free withdrawals later. TSP’s Jim Kaplan explains the tax implications, new planning calculators, and why consulting a tax advisor is critical. The change follows participant feedback and was built through extensive upgrades to the Converge system. Kaplan also discusses increased digital tools, reduced call volumes, shutdown-driven account activity spikes, rising Blended Retirement System participation, and TSP’s ultra-low 3.4 basis point expense ratio—helping millions of feds retire with dignity.
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$4.6 Trillion, One Deadline, and an AI Revolution: The Pentagon’s Defining Moment
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 Navy’s New War Blueprint: Faster Tech, Unmanned Power, and a Fleet Built to Win
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.
TMF’s $200M Second Act: AI, Cybersecurity & the Fight to Modernize Government
In part two of Francis Rose’s conversation with former Federal CIOs Tony Scott and Suzette Kent, the focus turns to what’s next for the Technology Modernization Fund. With $5 million in new authorization and roughly $200 million still available to award, the TMF is positioned for a critical new phase. The latest $28 million award to the National Nuclear Security Administration highlights a major shift: artificial intelligence and cybersecurity are now central to modernization efforts.
Scott argues AI is transforming both offensive and defensive cyber operations, making continued modernization essential. Kent notes that “new and emerging technologies” are written...
From Low-Code to Lifesaving Care: Inside the Tech Overhaul Reshaping Federal Healthcare
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.
Why Data Trust Is the New National Security Battleground
In this sponsored episode of Fed Gov Today, Francis Rose sits down with Joe Ditchett, industry executive advisor at SAP, to unpack two forces reshaping federal technology strategy: a contested future and data gravity. Ditchett explains why IT infrastructure is now a prime target in global competition—and how security, resiliency, and distributed operations must be built in from the start, not bolted on later. The conversation dives into edge computing, data sharing, and why trust grows stronger the closer agencies get to their transactional data sources. Ditchett also challenges ag...
Why Washington Actually Can’t Quit the Technology Modernization Fund
On this edition of Fed Gov Today with Francis Rose, sponsored by Maximus, former Federal CIOs Suzette Kent and Tony Scott dig into that very question as Congress moves to revive the TMF with new funding under the latest budget agreement. With more than $1 billion invested across 70 projects at 34 agencies, the TMF has quietly become one of the federal government’s most durable and bipartisan technology tools. Kent and Scott explain why the fund has survived multiple administrations, how its original vision has evolved, and why it...
From Data to Drones: How Treasury, AI, and the Navy Are Rewriting Government Power
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 Secret Weapon, a Federal HR Shakeup, and the End of FedScope
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.
Fraud Starts at the Top: Why Culture, Not Just Controls, Is the Government’s Best Defense
Fighting fraud in government starts with leadership, not just controls. On this episode of Fed Gov Today, Francis Rose speaks with GAO’s Rebecca Shea about why culture, accountability, and tone at the top are essential to reducing fraud across federal agencies. Shea explains GAO’s Fraud Risk Management Framework, breaking down its four required components: commit, assess, design and implement, and evaluate and adapt. The conversation explores how agencies measure success, manage fraud risk at both enterprise and program levels, and continuously improve their efforts. The message is clear: effe...
Don’t AI the Problem: Why Smart Data, Resilience, and Quantum Readiness Matter More Than Hype
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 Is Breaking Up With Paper: Inside the Race to Software-Defined Warfare
Big changes are coming to how the Pentagon buys, builds, and deploys software. On this episode of Fed Gov Today with Francis Rose, Pentagon Chief Software Officer Rob Vietmeyer explains why paper-based risk assessments and slow approval cycles no longer work in an era of software-defined warfare. Drawing on real-world exercises with Five Eyes and NATO partners, Vietmeyer describes how zero trust, software-defined networking, and CI/CD pipelines enable rapid, secure collaboration across dynamic missions. He also discusses cultural change, automated cyber risk management, acquisition reform, and why speed, resilience...
The Shared AI Platform That’s Teaching Government How to Buy Smarter
This episode of Fed Gov Today with Francis Rose takes you inside GSA’s sweeping push to modernize acquisition and accelerate responsible AI adoption. From the FAR overhaul to new buying guides and culture change for contracting officers, Deputy FAS Commissioner Laura Stanton explains what agencies will need to succeed. CIO David Shive and Chief AI Officer Zach Whitman reveal how GSAi—and its shareable counterpart, USAi—go beyond a chatbot to capture deep observability and telemetry, helping agencies understand real usage, compare model performance, and negotiate from data instead of hype. You’ll also hea...
From Sea Floor to Space: Coast Guard’s Autonomy Push, Supply Chains, and Government’s 2026 Risks
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 FAR Is Changing Fast: GSA Calls Industry to the Table
Phase two of the historic FAR overhaul is officially underway, and GSA has a message for industry: engage now or risk falling behind. On this episode of Fed Gov Today, Senior Procurement Executive Jeff Koses joins Francis Rose to explain how GSA rewrote the FAR in record time—and why changing the rules isn’t enough without changing culture. Koses breaks down what phase one accomplished, from massive word reductions to new strategic acquisition guidance, and outlines what’s coming next as deviations move into formal rulemaking. He emphasizes the need f...
Your TSP’s Hidden New Year: Roth Conversions, Deadlines, and Smarter Retirement Moves for 2026
The New Year brings critical retirement decisions for federal employees, and Fed Gov Today with Francis Rose breaks down what matters most.
Jim Kaplan, Director of External Affairs at the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board, explains why the TSP has two New Year milestones—and how year-end deadlines affect withdrawals, taxes, and required minimum distributions. As 2026 approaches, Kaplan urges participants to review account details, update beneficiaries, and consider increasing contributions as pay raises and step increases take effect.
The conversation also previews the long-awaited Roth in-plan conversion launching Janu...
Inside Washington’s Reset: How AI, Cyber Wellness, and the New PMA Are Reshaping Government
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.
119 HR Systems, One Shot to Fix It: Why OPM’s ‘Pay Up Front’ Gamble Might Finally Work
OPM is moving to consolidate the federal government’s many disconnected HR IT systems into a single, mandatory shared service, and former Chief Human Capital Officers Ron Sanders and Tracy DiMartini explain why the effort has failed for decades—and what could make it work now. They point to politics, agency “we’re different” resistance, and weak requirements as the usual dealbreakers, but note this attempt has a better shot if OPM sets firm standards, agencies get a real voice in implementation, and funding is sustained beyond a single year. Sanders ar...
From Vision to Vague: Why DOD’s Acquisition Overhaul Fell Short
On this edition of Fed Gov Today with Francis Rose, former Under Secretary of Defense Bill Greenwalt dissects the Pentagon’s latest acquisition reform push. He explains how Secretary Hegseth’s bold vision for faster, more agile procurement fixed timelines, rapid prototyping, flexible funding, and broader use of OTAs was watered down in the final memo by risk-averse bureaucracy.
Greenwalt warns that without empowered program managers, modular open systems, and real portfolio authority, the department can’t deliver new capabilities at the speed commanders need. Francis also previews upcoming Fed Gov Tod...
Sailors First: Inside CNO's Ideal Navy Vision
In his first long-form interview as CNO, Adm. Daryl Caudle says Navy success hinges less on a headline ship count and more on readiness, capability, and sustainability. He prioritizes protecting sea lanes, integrating with allies, and the right mix of crewed and unmanned systems. “Sailors First” means ending afloat living, improving quality-of-life basics, and strengthening maintenance and the industrial base.
Subscribe and listen to the Fed Gov Today Podcast anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com
Build Back Mode: The Real Reboot is How Agencies Treat Their People
Former DHS and IRS CIO Richard Spires joins Francis Rose to break down what “build back” really means for agencies after months of disruption. He praises efforts to cut bureaucracy, reduce stovepipes, and modernize acquisition, pointing to OPM’s ambitious push to consolidate 119 HR systems into one as the kind of big swing government needs.
But he argues the biggest problem isn’t tech—it’s people. Spires says workforce treatment has damaged morale and trust, especially among technologists, and rebuilding starts with a fundamental shift in how leaders view and support employees. H...
The AI Advantage: Outsmarting America’s Adversaries
On this edition of Fed Gov Today with Francis Rose, retired DISA Director Lt. Gen. Robert “Bob” Skinner breaks down who will truly win the AI race—and why the edge belongs to organizations that deeply understand both operations and emerging technology. Skinner explains how DISA’s upcoming 2025 Forecast to Industry equips companies to anticipate challenges, align with agency strategy, and deliver innovative, cost-effective solutions for the warfighter. He emphasizes the power of problem-based requirements, tighter industry collaboration, and the innovative spirit that keeps the United States ahead of adversaries who may...
The 2026 Playbook: Capacity, Experience & Data That Drives Decisions
As agencies look ahead to 2026, the federal technology landscape is entering a period of realignment — and this time, the shift centers on people, experience, and data. In this episode, Former NASA CIO, Renee Wynn breaks down what leaders should expect as teams return to full operations post-shutdown and begin planning for long-term mission delivery.
She explains why organizational capacity building must replace the old “do more with less” mindset, and how focusing on the individual — reducing friction, providing better tools, and creating room for talent to flourish — can unlock performance gains agen...
America’s New Cyber Playbook: Going on Offense to Stop Nation-State Hackers
The latest edition of Fed Gov Today with Francis Rose breaks down the major shifts expected in the nation’s forthcoming cyber strategy. Former Pentagon CISO and SixGen CEO Jack Wilmer joins the show to explain why the new approach will take a more offensive posture and why raising the cost of cyberattacks for nation-state adversaries may be key to deterrence. Wilmer discusses how agencies like U.S. Cyber Command and the FBI fit into a whole-of-government response, why traditional “name and shame” tactics haven’t worked, and how pre-positioned access i...
Rebooting Government: How Agencies Bounce Back After the 44-Day Shutdown
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.
TSP After the Shutdown: What Feds Need to Know Right Now
On this edition of Fed Gov Today with Francis Rose, Jim Kaplan, Director of External Affairs at the Thrift Savings Plan, joins the show to break down what’s happening inside TSP accounts since the shutdown. Loan activity spiked during October as federal workers sought financial “padding,” and now many borrowers want to repay quickly. Jim explains how TSP loans work, how repayment schedules are automatically re-amortized, and why there’s never a prepayment penalty—because participants are essentially paying themselves back with G Fund interest. He also details how agencies a...
Cyber After the Shutdown: Why Asking for Help Is Your Smartest Security Move
Former Federal CISO Brig. Gen. Greg Touhill (USAF, Ret.) delivers timely, practical cyber insight that goes far beyond the IT shop. As the federal government emerges from the longest shutdown in history, agencies are preparing to restart contracting and reconstitute full-speed operations—but the path back to normalcy is far from simple.
Touhill explains that cyber and IT teams will immediately activate disaster recovery frameworks, assessing hardware, software, and the often-overlooked “wetware”—their people. With many federal employees departing at the end of the fiscal year and contractors potentially reassigned or displaced, leaders f...
Reopening After the Shutdown: How Contractors Can Seize the New Era of Federal Acquisition
After the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, the federal acquisition landscape is shifting — and this time, the change may be permanent. Former Assistant Secretary of Defense David Berteau joins the show to unpack what government contractors can expect when agencies reopen and how they can turn disruption into opportunity.
Berteau, now an independent consultant, explains why contractors shouldn’t expect business as usual when the lights come back on. He discusses the logistical and operational challenges that accompany a post-shutdown restart — from expired PIV cards and delayed solicitations to the...
