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Fed Gov Today

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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.

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  • 31 episodes
  • Avg 20 min
  • English

Episodes 31

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  • Monday · 17 min

    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 protect the public. Subscribe and listen to the Fed Gov Today Podcast anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com

  • September 8 · 11 min

    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 commercial data adoption. Subscribe and listen to the Fed Gov Today Podcast anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com

  • September 4 · 10 min

    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 year. Subscribe and listen to the Fed Gov Today Podcast anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com

  • September 2 · 17 min

    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 “valley of death.” Subscribe and listen to the Fed Gov Today Podcast anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com

  • August 28 · 14 min

    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 JWCC. Subscribe and listen to the Fed Gov Today Podcast anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com

  • August 25 · 12 min

    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. Subscribe and listen to the Fed Gov Today Podcast anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com

  • August 11 · 13 min

    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. Subscribe and listen to the Fed Gov Today Podcast anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com

  • August 4 · 17 min

    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 for future modernization across government. Subscribe and listen to the Fed Gov Today Podcast anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com

  • July 28 · 13 min

    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 FedRAMP's future. Subscribe and listen to the Fed Gov Today Podcast anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com

  • July 24 · 19 min

    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

  • July 21 · 14 min

    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 capital decisions. Subscribe and listen to the Fed Gov Today Podcast anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com

  • July 16 · 14 min

    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 to the Fed Gov Today Podcast anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com

  • July 14 · 14 min

    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 Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com

Showing 1–20 of 31 episodes