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.
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 competitionâand 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 Canât 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 governmentâs 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 Pentagonâs 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 Governmentâs Best Defense
Fighting fraud in government starts with leadership, not just controls. On this episode of Fed Gov Today, Francis Rose speaks with GAOâs Rebecca Shea about why culture, accountability, and tone at the top are essential to reducing fraud across federal agencies. Shea explains GAOâs 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...
Donât 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 Thatâs Teaching Government How to Buy Smarter
This episode of Fed Gov Today with Francis Rose takes you inside GSAâs 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 GSAiâand its shareable counterpart, USAiâgo beyond a chatbot to capture deep observability and telemetry, helping agencies understand real usage, compare model performance, and negotiate from data instead of hype. Youâll also hea...
From Sea Floor to Space: Coast Guardâs Autonomy Push, Supply Chains, and Governmentâs 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 timeâand why changing the rules isnât enough without changing culture. Koses breaks down what phase one accomplished, from massive word reductions to new strategic acquisition guidance, and outlines whatâs coming next as deviations move into formal rulemaking. He emphasizes the need f...
Your TSPâs 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.Â
Jim Kaplan, Director of External Affairs at the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board, explains why the TSP has two New Year milestonesâand 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.Â
The conversation also previews the long-awaited Roth in-plan conversion launching Janu...
Inside Washingtonâs 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 OPMâs âPay Up Frontâ Gamble Might Finally Work
OPM is moving to consolidate the federal governmentâs 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 decadesâand what could make it work now. They point to politics, agency âweâre differentâ 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 DODâs Acquisition Overhaul Fell Short
On this edition of Fed Gov Today with Francis Rose, former Under Secretary of Defense Bill Greenwalt dissects the Pentagonâs latest acquisition reform push. He explains how Secretary Hegsethâs 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.Â
Greenwalt warns that without empowered program managers, modular open systems, and real portfolio authority, the department canât 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. âSailors Firstâ 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 âbuild backâ really means for agencies after months of disruption. He praises efforts to cut bureaucracy, reduce stovepipes, and modernize acquisition, pointing to OPMâs ambitious push to consolidate 119 HR systems into one as the kind of big swing government needs.
But he argues the biggest problem isnât techâitâs 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 Americaâs Adversaries
On this edition of Fed Gov Today with Francis Rose, retired DISA Director Lt. Gen. Robert âBobâ Skinner breaks down who will truly win the AI raceâand why the edge belongs to organizations that deeply understand both operations and emerging technology. Skinner explains how DISAâs 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 â 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 âdo more with lessâ mindset, and how focusing on the individual â reducing friction, providing better tools, and creating room for talent to flourish â can unlock performance gains agen...
Americaâs 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 nationâs 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 âname and shameâ tactics havenât 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 whatâs happening inside TSP accounts since the shutdown. Loan activity spiked during October as federal workers sought financial âpadding,â and now many borrowers want to repay quickly. Jim explains how TSP loans work, how repayment schedules are automatically re-amortized, and why thereâs never a prepayment penaltyâbecause 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 operationsâbut the path back to normalcy is far from simple.Â
Touhill explains that cyber and IT teams will immediately activate disaster recovery frameworks, assessing hardware, software, and the often-overlooked âwetwareââtheir 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 â 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 shouldnât expect business as usual when the lights come back on. He discusses the logistical and operational challenges that accompany a post-shutdown restart â from expired PIV cards and delayed solicitations to the...
Rewriting the Rules of War: Inside the Pentagonâs Bold Plan to Fix Defense AcquisitionâFor Real This Time
On this episode of Fed Gov Today with Francis Rose, retired Major General Arnold Punaro joins Francis to unpack what could be the most sweeping overhaul of the defense acquisition system in decades. Following Secretary Pete Hegsethâs newly announced Acquisition Transformation Strategy, Punaro argues that achieving real results will require nothing short of retraining the entire acquisition workforceâmilitary and civilian alike. He breaks down how the Department of Defense, Congress, and industryâthe three sides of the âiron triangleââare finally aligning to reform a system tha...
Stop Doing What Doesnât Work: How the Shutdown Could Spark a Federal Transformation Revolution
On this edition of Fed Gov Today with Francis Rose, former Department of Labor CIO Gundeep Ahluwalia, now Executive Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer at NuAxis Innovations, shares how the recent government shutdownâwhile disruptiveâcould actually serve as a rare opportunity for transformation. As agencies prepare to restart contracting and program delivery, Ahluwalia urges federal leaders to pause, take stock, and ask a critical question: Are your project outputs truly driving the outcomes you want?
Subscribe and listen to the Fed Gov Toda...
Rebooting Government: AI, Acquisition, and the Post-Shutdown 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.
Can the Pentagon Fix Its Innovation Overload? Inside the Effort to Turn Big Ideas Into Real Results
Former DoD official Jerry McGinn, now Director of the Center for the Industrial Base at CSIS, joins Francis to unpack how the Department of Defense can better âseparate the wheat from the chaffâ in its innovation efforts. McGinn explains why authorities like the Defense Production Act (DPA) and Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program are vital to maintaining a competitive industrial base â and what challenges lie ahead after both programs expired at the end of FY2025.
McGinn discusses the delicate balance between encouraging experimentation and demanding accountability â highlighting that true innovation requires toleranc...
When the Government Reopens: The Burnout, Backlogs, and Big Moves Ahead
Agencies have been in a holding pattern, waiting to roll out long-delayed initiatives and catch up on weeks of missed work. Former GSA Administrator Emily Murphy, now CEO of Government Procurement Strategies, joins Francis to unpack what happens when the lights come back on in government officesâand what leaders must do to re-engage a workforce stretched to the limit.
Murphy shares firsthand lessons from the 2019 shutdown, highlighting how essential workers faced burnout, unpaid labor, and emotional fatigue, while furloughed employees struggled with financial strain and uncertainty. She discusses the cr...
AI at the Edge: How Artificial Intelligence is Redefining Federal Cybersecurity
Richard Breakiron, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Commvault, joins the show to reveal how AI can move cyber defense from reactive to proactiveâand why the smartest agencies are integrating security into every step of modernization rather than bolting it on at the end. You'll learn how Fortune 100 companies are adopting the FedRAMP High framework voluntarily, recognizing that robust, architectural-level security isnât just a compliance requirementâitâs a competitive advantage.
Youâll also learn how agencies can operationalize zero trust, build dynamic architectures, and use AI to detect...
The Pentagonâs Cloud Challenge: Buying Tomorrowâs Tech with Yesterdayâs Contracts
The Department of Defense faces a new cloud challenge that could reshape how the federal government buys technology. Former Pentagon Deputy CIO Rob Carey joins Francis to unpack why the traditional contracting process is slowing innovation â and why the government canât afford to spend âyears and years and yearsâ buying future-looking tech through outdated procurement models.
Carey dives into the Pentagonâs five-phase cybersecurity risk management construct, explaining how artificial intelligence is both a promise and a problem in defending government systems. He discusses the balance between security and affordabil...
The Shutdown Hangover: What Really Happens When Government Reopens
Former Deputy Director for Management at the Office of Management and Budget, Margaret Weichert, joins Francis to break down what happens after a government shutdown â and why the hardest days may come once the doors reopen. With federal employees preparing to return to work, Weichert warns that the road back to ânormalâ is anything but smooth.
Weichert shares lessons learned from the 2019 shutdown, including how critical early coordination between operating functions was in speeding recovery â and why those lessons need to be applied right now. She explains how furlough...
The New Rules of Federal Tech: AI, Efficiency, and the End of Redundancy
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.
How the Federal Government Reboots After a Shutdown: The 3 Critical Priorities That Matter Most
In this episode of Fed Gov Today with Francis Rose, the gears of government are grinding to a halt â and the aftershocks are just beginning. As agencies brace for and recover from a federal shutdown, former Federal CIO Suzette Kent, now CEO of Kent Advisory Services, joins Francis to break down the three critical concepts every leader must master to get government back on track: people, risk, and whatâs âon the clock.â Kent reveals how to prioritize the citizens and federal employees most affected, assess hidden v...
Your AI Career Companion: The Future of Federal Work Starts Now
On this edition of Fed Gov Today with Francis Rose, the future of federal work gets personal â literally. Imagine joining the federal government and being assigned your very own agentic AI assistant â one that stays with you throughout your entire career. It helps with your HR questions, training reminders, and even job recommendations, all tied to your unique federal ID and email. Former OPM Chief Information Officer Melvin Brown joins Francis to explore how this idea could revolutionize federal employment, turning decades-old systems into intelligent, adaptive tools that grow alongside each employee.
The Pentagonâs New Battlefield: Protecting the Laptop Next to the Fighter Jet
This episode of Fed Gov Today, sponsored by Broadcom, dives into the critical front line of modern defenseâendpoint security. Francis talks with Garrett Lee, Regional Vice President for Public Sector in Broadcomâs Enterprise Security Group, about how the Department of Defense is rethinking cybersecurity from the ground up. Lee explains that in todayâs digital battlespace, the most vulnerable target isnât always the jet in the sky but the laptop in the hangar.Â
Youâll learn how the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) is tackling...
The Shutdown Silver Lining: Rebuilding Government with AI and Resilience
On this edition of Fed Gov Today with Francis Rose, former NASA Chief Data Officer Ron Thompson sees a potential silver lining in the ongoing government shutdown â a chance to rebuild. Ron reflects on lessons from the 1995 shutdown and explains why todayâs federal leaders have a unique opportunity to modernize their operating models. He shares how agencies can use this disruption as an inflection point to realign missions, rebuild trust, and bring in transformative technologies like AI and automation to deliver better outcomes for citizens.
Youâll learn how leader...
Donât Automate a Mess: Scaling AI and Automation in Government
Francis sits down with George Kaczmarskyj, Principal for Government and Public Sector at EY, to discuss how federal agencies can transform their workflows with automation and AIâwithout falling into the trap of âautomating a mess.â Youâll learn how early automation efforts often rushed to apply technology to outdated or inefficient processes, and why success today depends on stepping back to reassess and redesign before automating. He highlights how a process-first mindset, rather than a tool-first approach, enables agencies to eliminate unnecessary steps, optimize outcomes, and ensure that humans remain involved where it matters...
Rebuilding Trust: The New Playbook for Government and Industry After the 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.
When the Shutdown Ends: The Chaos and Comeback Inside Federal Agencies
Former FBI Chief Information Officer and current Executive Vice President for Public Sector at ITI, Gordon Bitko, joins Francis to unpack what agency leaders and contractors should expect when the doors open again. Bitko explains how months of uncertainty disrupt technology rollouts, contract execution, and long-term modernization efforts, especially as critical initiatives like the FAR rewriteand AI implementation lose valuable momentum.
You'll learn how the shutdownâs ripple effects extend beyond paused projects. Many agencies will find themselves facing a changed workforce â missing contracting officers, retired experts, and vacant leadership roles â making coordi...
Beyond the Checkbox: How Continuous ATO Is Changing Federal Cybersecurity for Good
Francis speaks with Dina Saleh, Federal Solutions Architect at Synack, who explains how C-ATO replaces the old, static ATO system with continuous testing, monitoring, and updates that improve both security and efficiency.
Youâll learn how continuous authorization helps eliminate the âdeath loopâ of paperwork and compliance fatigue that once overwhelmed federal teams. Dina notes that many agencies still struggle with data overloadâdrowning in endless vulnerability reports and alerts that make it difficult to prioritize real threats. Synackâs approach, she says, acts like a âcheat sheet for the exam,â filtering out noise and focusing o...
