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 already changing the game. The episode also previews the upcoming TechNet Augusta conference, highlighting keynote speakers from Army Cyber Command and the Cyber Center of Excellence. Subscribe and listen to the Fed Gov Today Podcast anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com.
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13:14
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13:14
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 baseless objections.Subscribe and listen to the Fed Gov Today Podcast anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com.
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13:55
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.
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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. 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 programs like Golden Dome, and how political dynamics could shape future funding decisions.Subscribe and listen to the Fed Gov Today Podcast anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com.
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11:22
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 Hamm describe how the current protest system can create incentives for incumbent contractors to delay transitions by filing protests, and how that affects the efficiency of federal acquisition. He compares the current protest environment to stoppages in a football game, and proposes an alternative model—similar to the NFL’s challenge system—to limit the frequency and impact of protests.Subscribe and listen to the Fed Gov Today Podcast anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com.
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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