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.
The Pentagon’s Unfinished Business: Why Acquisition Reform Needs More Than New Policy
Arnold Punaro argues the Pentagon can learn from the landmark Goldwater-Nichols reforms as it tackles acquisition and management challenges. The retired Marine Corps major general and CEO of The Punaro Group explains why the 1986 reforms successfully reshaped military operations, while parts of the Pentagon’s management structure remain unfinished. Punaro discusses Congress’s role in making reforms permanent, changing incentives across the acquisition workforce and driving cultural change inside the department. He also examines what recent military operations reveal about emerging technology, unmanned systems and why people will remain essential to the future of warfare.
Subscribe and...
GAO Breaks Down DHS’s $10.7 Billion Contract Savings Estimate
GAO is taking a closer look at billions of dollars in savings claimed by the Department of Homeland Security following hundreds of contract terminations. Chris Currie, Director of Emergency Management and National Preparedness Issues at the Government Accountability Office, explains why canceling a contract does not automatically translate into savings. DHS reported $10.7 billion in savings after terminating or partially terminating 438 contracts, but GAO found the department had actually deobligated about $92 million. Currie breaks down how contract savings should be calculated, why IT services often shift to other contract vehicles, and what GAO will examine next.
Former IRS Commissioner’s Three-Word Warning for Government AI: “Slow Your Roll”
Former IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel says agencies should resist the urge to race toward artificial intelligence productivity gains without first understanding the risks. Werfel, now Executive in Residence at the Johns Hopkins School of Government and Policy, explains why tax may be especially well suited for AI and why that potential makes responsible adoption even more important. He discusses risk registers, hallucinations, autonomous AI behavior and the need for domain-specific frameworks. His three-word advice for organizations deploying AI: “slow your roll.” Werfel argues agencies can capture meaningful efficiency gains while gradually learning how to manage risk, train employees and prot...
Inside OPM’s HR Overhaul: Tech Force Expands, AI Enters Hiring and Benefits Get a Rethink
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
The Space Force Has a Commercial Data Problem. The Solution May Already Exist
The Space Force wants to make greater use of commercial space data, but challenges around awareness, access and acquisition are slowing adoption. Jon Ludwigson, Director of Contracting and National Security Acquisitions at the Government Accountability Office, explains how the Joint Commercial Operations Cell is building a commercial data ecosystem for the military. Ludwigson discusses why commercial capabilities can reduce pressure on expensive government systems, make information easier to share with partners and give the Pentagon more “eyes” on space. He also explains why GAO believes greater awareness of an existing Space Force working group could help overcome barriers to c...
TSP’s Digital Overhaul: Faster Payments, Stronger Security and a New Life Events Hub
The Thrift Savings Plan is rolling out new digital tools designed to make managing retirement accounts easier for participants and their families. TSP Director of External Affairs Jim Kaplan discusses the new Life Events Hub, which allows beneficiaries to report a participant’s death, upload documentation and track the transfer process online. He also outlines upcoming improvements to digital payments, phishing-resistant multifactor authentication and installment payments. Kaplan explains how TSP evaluates new capabilities based on participant demand and return on investment. He also shares early results from Roth in-plan conversions, which have moved more than $1 billion since launching this ye...
Why the Pentagon Can’t Afford to Wait for Quantum
Former Defense Threat Reduction Agency program manager Steve Hoffman joins Fed Gov Today to discuss how the Pentagon can turn emerging technologies into operational capabilities faster. Hoffman explains why quantum technology could reshape sensors, computing and warfare, and why government, industry and academia need to collaborate before breakthroughs arrive. He explores the balance between warfighter demand and technology push, the importance of rapid experimentation and early user feedback, and lessons from Ukraine’s adoption of new capabilities. Hoffman also examines acquisition reform, the defense industrial base and the challenge smaller companies face securing capital, scaling production and crossing the “vall...
How Intelligence, AI and Space Integration Are Changing the Fight
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
The Pentagon’s $7 Billion IT Buying Bet: Can Category Management Finally Work?
The Pentagon is changing how it buys technology, and former Pentagon Deputy CIO Danielle Metz says the shift could deliver major benefits for both warfighters and taxpayers. Metz joins Fed Gov Today to break down the Defense Department’s new IT category management strategy, including its $7 billion enterprise software agreement with Oracle. She explains why centralized buying can reduce costs, improve access to technology and create more predictable acquisition processes. Metz also discusses the challenge of moving individual DoD organizations onto enterprise contracts, the importance of strong governance and leadership, and how this strategy could shape the next iteration of...
Can the FAR Overhaul Survive a Leadership Change?
One of the leaders behind the FAR overhaul is leaving government. Former OFPP Administrator Joe Jordan joins Fed Gov Today to examine what Kevin Rhodes’ departure could mean for the future of federal acquisition reform and why institutionalizing changes will be critical to maintaining momentum. Jordan discusses the importance of finding a successor who can continue the overhaul, the unconventional approach helping reforms move quickly, and the role agencies across government play in the effort. He also raises concerns about proposed SBA size standards that could dramatically expand which companies qualify as small businesses for federal contracting opportunities....
The Pentagon’s Billion-Dollar Bet on America’s Defense Supply Chain
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
CBP’s Cloud Countdown, AI’s Cyber Challenge & OneGov’s $1 Billion Milestone
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
What Federal Employees Need to Know About SECURE 2.0
The Thrift Savings Plan is making retirement saving easier for federal employees while strengthening oversight and controlling costs. Jim Kaplan, Director of External Affairs at the TSP, explains how the agency is automating Roth catch-up contributions required under SECURE 2.0. He also discusses a 14% increase in rollovers into the TSP, record assets in several funds, and growing adoption of lifecycle funds. Kaplan details improvements following the recordkeeping system transition, including fewer audit recommendations and the closure of all recommendations from a GAO review. He also explains why coming in under budget directly benefits TSP participants and beneficiaries.
<...How the VA Is Borrowing Arlington National Cemetery's Playbook to Transform Veteran Services
The Department of Veterans Affairs is modernizing how it serves veterans and their families by adopting technology developed at Arlington National Cemetery. Renea Yates, Director of the Office of Army Cemeteries, and Mike Bowers, Acting Deputy Under Secretary for VA's National Cemetery Administration, explain how years of collaboration are helping replace fragmented legacy systems with a unified digital platform. They discuss the importance of adapting business processes instead of customizing software, using geospatial technology to improve burial accountability, and managing organizational change. The conversation also explores how shared innovation is improving the customer experience while creating a roadmap...
Building AI-First Government: Data Strategy, Workforce Readiness, and Responsible AI
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
FedRAMP 20x: The Biggest Cloud Security Shake-Up You've Never Heard About
FedRAMP 20x promises to make federal cloud security authorizations faster, more transparent, and more reusable—but are agencies and industry ready for the transition? On this episode of Fed Gov Today, former Federal Acquisition Service Commissioner Julie Dunne examines the opportunities and challenges surrounding the next generation of FedRAMP. She discusses why automation and continuous security monitoring are reshaping the authorization process, where agencies remain hesitant to embrace change, and how differing approaches across civilian agencies and the Department of Defense could complicate adoption. Dunne also explains why congressional reauthorization and stronger government-wide coordination will be critical to Fe...
Building AI-First Government: Data Strategy, Workforce Readiness, and Smarter Regulation
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
How the Army Built a Game-Changing Missile System That Soldiers Actually Want to Use
The U.S. Army is redefining battlefield autonomy with the Multiple Simultaneous Engagement Technologies (MSET) program, giving a single operator the ability to launch and manage multiple missiles against multiple targets at once. In this episode, Lt. Col. Jim Lawson and Dr. Shane Thompson explain how the team prioritized simplicity, reduced operator workload, and integrated cutting-edge autonomy into a familiar interface for soldiers. They also discuss the successful transition from science and technology to a program of record—avoiding the Pentagon's notorious "Valley of Death"—and share lessons on collaboration, rapid acquisition, and delivering technology that warfighters will actually use<
The End of FEVS? What OPM's Big Change Means for Every Federal Agency
The Office of Personnel Management is ending its centralized Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS), shifting responsibility to individual agencies. Former OPM HR Quality Services Management Office Director Steve Krauss explains why this change could become a major opportunity—or a significant challenge—for federal organizations. He discusses how agencies can collect more timely, actionable workforce data, the importance of building strong data analytics capabilities, and why communities of practice remain essential across government. Krauss also explores how employee feedback fits into OPM's broader vision for a government-wide workforce data ecosystem that supports skills-based talent management and smarter human capi...
AI Modernization, Critical Infrastructure Security, and Enterprise Innovation Across Government
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
How the Navy Is Using 360-Degree Tech to Cut Maintenance Delays and Boost Fleet Readiness
In this episode of Fed Gov Today, Ted Lemieux, Head of the Center for Corrosion Science and Engineering Branch at the Naval Research Laboratory, explains how the Insertable Stalk Inspection System 360 is replacing dangerous, time-consuming tank inspections with immersive 360-degree imaging and advanced analytics. He discusses how the technology helps maintenance planners identify corrosion before ships enter dry dock, reducing unnecessary work, avoiding costly surprises, and improving fleet readiness. Lemieux also shares how commercial innovation and emerging AI capabilities are shaping the next generation of naval inspections.
Subscribe and listen...
How FedRAMP Is Changing Forever: The Cloud Security Mistakes Every Federal Agency Must Avoid
GAO Director of Information Technology and Cybersecurity Dave Hinchman explains why continuous monitoring, strong service level agreements, and clear agency oversight remain essential as cloud adoption accelerates. He discusses lessons from GAO's review of cloud deployments at four federal agencies, what those findings mean for government-wide cybersecurity, and how the evolving FedRAMP program places greater responsibility on agencies to evaluate cloud providers. Hinchman also shares practical steps agencies can take to strengthen cloud security and better protect taxpayer data.
Subscribe and listen to the Fed Gov Today Podcast anytime on A...
How AI, Modern Security, and Cross-Agency Partnerships Are Reshaping Federal Missions
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
The Pentagon's AI Arsenal: The Four-Pillar Plan to Transform Defense Technology
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
Mission Forward - Building the Future of Federal Human Capital Management
In conversation with SAP Industry Executive Advisor Travis Hoadley, this episode explores how federal agencies can modernize human capital management to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving workforce. Hoadley examines the growing gap between public- and private-sector talent management, the critical role of technology modernization, and the importance of strong collaboration between IT and HR leaders. He also discusses how artificial intelligence is reshaping federal jobs, why workforce planning must evolve beyond outdated frameworks, and how agencies can create a persistent culture of innovation. The conversation highlights the strategies that will separate future-ready agencies from those struggling to...
AI at the Edge, Zero Trust Reimagined, and Telehealth’s Next Leap
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
SOCOM’s AI Race: Autonomous Warfare, Human Performance, and the Innovation Surge Reshaping Defense
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 Army’s Secret Innovation Engine: How Soldiers Are Rewriting Procurement in Real Time
The Army’s new Joint Innovation Outpost is changing how military capability gets from industry to the battlefield. Colonel Tom Monaghan explains how the JIOP embeds acquisition professionals directly with the 18th Airborne Corps to rapidly test, refine, and scale new technologies based on real-time soldier feedback. From anti-drone systems to modular drone transport cases designed by soldiers themselves, the initiative is streamlining the “last mile” of military innovation. Monaghan details how the Army is cutting through traditional procurement timelines, partnering directly with industry, and creating a model that could expand to every corps headquarters across the service.
Inside the VA’s Bold Plan to Modernize National Cemeteries — and Why Only 18% of Veterans Use Them
VA Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs Sam Brown joins the program to discuss how the National Cemetery Administration is transforming the veteran and family experience through modernization, outreach, and collaboration. Brown explains why customer experience is central to NCA’s mission, the surprising reality that only 18% of eligible veterans choose national cemeteries, and how the VA is working to increase awareness of burial benefits. He also reveals a major modernization effort with Arlington National Cemetery to replace decades-old systems with a shared platform designed to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and better serve veterans and their families for generations to com...
The Cyber Threat Nobody Sees Coming: Former DISA Director on AI, Mythos & the Future of Digital Warfare
Former DISA Director Lt. Gen. Bob Skinner joins Fed Gov Today to explain why digital forensics is no longer just a post-breach investigative tool—it’s now the frontline of cyber defense. Skinner breaks down how AI-powered platforms like Mythos are changing the cybersecurity landscape, why the line between criminals and nation-state adversaries is disappearing, and what agencies must do to stay ahead of increasingly complex threats. He also shares why the federal government needs more “operational technologists” who understand both mission and technology, and why critical thinking—not just technical skill—will define the next generation of cyber talent
The Pentagon’s Massive AI & Logistics Overhaul Is Already Reshaping the Future of War
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
GSA’s Massive Shake-Up: The Real Reason Federal Acquisition Is Being Rebuilt
The General Services Administration is launching a major restructuring of the Federal Acquisition Service, consolidating acquisition programs into five new portfolios designed to modernize procurement and improve efficiency across government. Former FAS Deputy Commissioner Tom Howder joins Fed Gov Today to explain why GSA is moving from an industry-based model to a product-based approach, what it means for Multiple Award Schedules, GWACs, and assisted acquisition services, and how artificial intelligence and automation fit into the agency’s future. Howder also discusses the uncertain future of TTS, why communication is critical during large reorganizations, and how agencies and vendors could be...
Inside the TSP’s Push to Make Retirement Rollovers Easier
Jim Kaplan, Director of External Affairs at the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board, explains how the Thrift Savings Plan is modernizing the rollover experience for federal employees and service members. Kaplan discusses the TSP’s concierge service, which helps participants transfer retirement savings from private-sector accounts into the TSP with personalized support throughout the process. He also shares how the agency is improving participant experience through technology upgrades, strengthening cybersecurity protections, encouraging secure direct deposit setup, and helping younger federal employees take advantage of Roth retirement options. The conversation highlights the TSP’s focus on security, customer service, and maki...
$4 Billion Cloud Bet, AI Coworkers & Award-Winning Bots: Government’s Tech Revolution Is Already Here
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 Pentagon’s Cyber War Room: Why DC3 Is Racing Against AI-Powered Threats
DC3 CIO Eric Oliver says the Pentagon Cyber Crime Center is in a race to modernize before AI-driven threats outpace traditional defenses. In this episode of Fed Gov Today, Oliver explains how DC3 is transforming aging infrastructure, moving sensitive operations to the cloud, and implementing zero trust security while supporting cyber investigations, counterintelligence, and the defense industrial base. He also discusses how emerging AI tools could dramatically accelerate vulnerability discovery and why autonomous AI systems will create entirely new investigative challenges. Oliver warns DC3 must stay ahead of evolving threats because the organization itself is a prime target for...
Maven Goes Mainstream: The AI System Quietly Transforming How War Gets Decided
Project Maven’s evolution into a full program of record marks a turning point for AI in defense. Former JAIC Director Jack Shanahan and former NGA Director Trey Whitworth break down how Maven Smart System is shifting from an experimental capability to a globally deployed decision-support engine. With stable funding, expanding integration, and potential ties to Joint All-Domain Command and Control, Maven is redefining how commanders reduce complexity and act faster. The conversation explores human-machine collaboration, the rise of AI-driven reasoning, and the future of military decision-making—where agility, accountability, and smarter insights could reshape operations across the batt...
Speed, Signals, and Cyber Survival: Inside the Pentagon’s Race to Outpace Threats
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
AI Won’t Replace Spies—It Will Make Them More Powerful Than Ever
Former CIA case officer Tom Mulligan breaks down why artificial intelligence isn’t replacing human intelligence—but transforming it. From AI “co-workers” assisting analysts to the growing threat of AI-generated deception, Mulligan outlines five critical lessons for the intelligence community. He explains how AI is supercharging surveillance, reshaping tradecraft, and enhancing persuasion, while also making human judgment more valuable than ever. Despite rapid technological advances, Mulligan argues HUMINT remains essential—and may become even more important as AI spreads globally. The future of intelligence isn’t man vs. machine—it’s how humans and AI work together to outthink adversa...
AI, Billions Saved & a Bold Tech Bet: Inside Government’s Biggest Digital Shakeup Yet
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
Mission Forward: AI-Powered Modernization: From Services-Led to Standards-Based
SAP executive advisors Tahera Zamanzada and Brian Laird explore how federal agencies are shifting from legacy, siloed systems to AI-enabled, standards-based architectures. They discuss reducing technical debt, improving interoperability, and leveraging shared services to scale best practices across government. Rather than “big bang” overhauls, they emphasize incremental pilots, high-value use cases, and progress over perfection—especially when integrating AI with imperfect data. The conversation also highlights cultural challenges, workforce readiness, and the growing demand for modern tools. Ultimately, success lies in aligning technology with mission outcomes, fostering collaboration, and building adaptable, data-driven foundations for the future.
