Episodes
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Today, Alissa Czyz, Director of Defense Capabilities and Management at the Government Accountability Office (GAO), joins Francis to expose a critical, costly challenge facing the Defense Department: mismanaged real property. Alissa shares how the Pentagon oversees a staggering portfolio of more than 700,000 facilities valued at $2.2 trillion, but a lack of consistent data across the military services is undermining its ability to manage and maintain these assets effectively.
Alissa explains that although DOD issued standardized guidance nearly a decade ago to measure facility utilization, most services still rely on outdated or inconsistent methods. The Air Force only recently adopted DOD’s approach, while the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps continue to use their own inconsistent systems—leaving DOD without a true enterprise-wide view of how its property is being used or wasted.
She outlines how the Army is piloting promising new tools to better measure space utilization, but inconsistencies persist across the services. She describes how installation-level control of facilities makes sense locally but creates a system-wide blind spot, preventing the Pentagon from managing risk and optimizing its enormous real estate portfolio.
Alissa and Francis explore GAO’s five recommendations to DOD, including holding services accountable for consistent utilization measurements and requiring risk management processes that span entire services—not just single installations.
You can read more about GAO’s findings and recommendations on today’s show page at fedgovtoday.com. And you can subscribe and listen to the Fed Gov Today Podcast anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com.
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Today, former NSA Technical Director and Synack co-founder, Mark Kuhr, breaks down the rapid evolution of generative AI, agentic AI, and their deep impact on cybersecurity across government. Mark explains that the proliferation of AI tools, like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini, creates urgent new risks for agencies around data control and network security. He stresses the importance of securing sensitive data by encouraging the use of government-developed AI tools instead of consumer-grade models, avoiding potential leaks similar to past shadow IT problems.
Drawing on his public and private sector experience, Mark highlights the critical privacy concerns both sectors face as employees blend personal and work-related AI usage, often without proper controls. He discusses how the adoption of government-specific AI tools, like GSA’s new initiative, is a smart move toward safeguarding agency data. Mark also introduces agentic AI—the next frontier where multiple specialized AI agents collaborate autonomously to solve problems, mimicking human teamwork.
Mark emphasizes that in a world where adversaries are using AI to exploit vulnerabilities within minutes, defenders must move just as fast—or faster—by automating security and vulnerability management. He discusses the urgent need to modernize legacy systems, evolve FedRAMP toward machine-to-machine compliance verification, and embrace AI-driven vulnerability scanning.
Subscribe and listen to the Fed Gov Today Podcast anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com.
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Episodes manquant?
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Today, we dive deep into the critical shifts happening in defense acquisition strategies. Former Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Nick Guertin, joins the program to unpack the Defense Department’s new guidance mandating a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) to building military capabilities. Nick shares behind-the-scenes insights on how modularity and open standards aren't just technical buzzwords—they are essential to staying ahead in a world where adversaries are evolving rapidly.
Nick reflects on his time leading transformation within the Navy, including establishing a new Deputy Assistant Secretary role focused on mission systems and championing the creation of a Naval Modular Open Systems Approach guidebook. He discusses how breaking systems into modular, upgradeable parts allows the military to adapt faster without the time and cost of massive overhauls. Francis and Nick explore how modularity balances innovation with potential risks like requirements creep, ultimately ensuring that forces stay mission-ready with flexibility built into every ship, airplane, and system from the ground up.
You can find a link to the new guidance on today's show page at fedgovtoday.com. Subscribe and listen to the Fed Gov Today Podcast anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com.
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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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Today we dive into the transformative potential of a new executive order that could finally shake up the federal acquisition system. Francis is joined by Stan Soloway, President and CEO of Celero Strategies and former Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition Reform, for an insightful conversation on what the executive order really means—and why it could be a rare turning point after decades of inertia.
Soloway peels back the rhetoric surrounding the EO and homes in on its substantive goals: modernizing the bloated and outdated 2,000-page Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and re-centering government procurement around commercially available software. He explains how this could revive FAR Part 12—the original commercial buying framework—and outlines why past reform attempts fizzled. Stan also highlights the critical role of investment in human capital and tech infrastructure, noting that meaningful change won’t happen without it.
Subscribe and listen to the Fed Gov Today Podcast anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com.
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Today, the spotlight is on zero trust—not just as a cybersecurity strategy, but as a cultural and operational shift across government. With the Department of Defense aiming to fully operationalize its zero trust strategy by 2027, the pressure is on agencies to go beyond checklists and truly embed zero trust principles into their missions. Joining Francis is Ryan Zacha, Solution Architect at Booz Allen, who shares deep insights into what it takes to make zero trust work—beyond the buzzwords.
Ryan highlights successful government-industry partnerships like the Thunderdome program, which provides a scalable model for delivering cutting-edge security capabilities across the Department of Defense. He emphasizes the need for collaborative engagement where industry partners help federal teams analyze their current environments, identify capability gaps, and chart strategic implementation roadmaps.
One of the biggest challenges, Ryan notes, is cultural—not technological. Many agencies have the tools and architectures they need, but fear and uncertainty around data classification and access control often stall progress. He urges agencies not to wait for perfect standards or top-down direction but to begin now with foundational data analysis and strategic planning.
Subscribe and listen to the Fed Gov Today Podcast anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com.
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Today’s conversation turns to one of the most pressing and controversial issues facing the Department of Defense: a sweeping mandate for workforce reduction. Former Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) Dov Zakheim joins the show to unpack the urgent memo issued by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, which gives military services and agencies just two weeks to analyze and recommend personnel cuts.
Zakheim warns that while the intention behind the workforce realignment—boosting efficiency and modernizing operations—is commendable, the rushed timeline may lead to damaging and shortsighted decisions. Drawing on his experience and a recent piece he authored for The Hill, Zakheim outlines why the process must extend all the way down the chain of command and allow new leaders time to find their footing.
For a link to Zakheim’s article and the official memo, visit the show page at fedgovtoday.com. Subscribe and listen to the Fed Gov Today Podcast anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com.
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We dive deep into the future of the Defense Department’s cyber and technology workforce with retired Lieutenant General Susan Lawrence, former Army CIO/G-6 and current President and CEO of AFCEA International. As one of the key leaders at the recent 2025 Cyber Workforce Summit, General Lawrence shares exclusive insights into the event’s genesis, its explosive growth, and the collaborative efforts between government and industry to address the critical cyber talent gap.
General Lawrence also reveals how today’s evolving threat landscape—what she calls “the speed of the threat”—requires rapid innovation and an all-hands-on-deck approach that includes civilian partners. She previews TechNet Cyber, AFCEA’s flagship event, which will feature the largest number of stages ever, showcasing thought leadership from DISA, OSD, Cyber Command, academia, and industry alike.
Learn more about TechNet Cyber and register at fedgovtoday.com/events, and catch Fed Gov Today TV every Sunday on ABC 7 and YouTube for more exclusive insights from federal leaders.
Subscribe and listen to the Fed Gov Today Podcast anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com.
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Francis welcomes Dawn Simpson, Director of Financial Management and Assurance at the Government Accountability Office (GAO), to discuss the IRS's notable improvements in internal controls and the reliability of its financial data.
Dawn outlines how the IRS addressed 21 prior-year deficiencies in information systems, leading to the removal of a previously reported significant deficiency. She explains the key areas of progress — particularly in access controls and configuration management — and why these enhancements matter not only for accurate year-end financial statements but also for real-time confidence in financial data throughout the fiscal year.
She also offers insights into the ongoing nature of GAO’s audit work — highlighting how it’s common to resolve past issues while uncovering new ones — and stresses the critical role of manual monitoring in tandem with automated controls. One standout recommendation: agencies must ensure the data they extract from financial systems truly reflects their intended policies, such as depreciation calculations.
Find links to Dawn’s work on IRS financial management and more details about upcoming events and episodes at FedGovToday.com.
Subscribe and listen anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com.
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Former GSA Administrator, Emily Murphy, joins Francis to break down the implications of an executive order tasking GSA to once again become the government’s central buying authority. Murphy shares her insights on what it will take to successfully transition procurement functions from multiple agencies into GSA, including the structural, personnel, and cultural shifts required to make it work.
Francis and Emily explore the lessons learned from early pilots with SBA and OPM, the complexities of retraining 1102s, and how GSA must retain its hard-won customer-first culture to avoid the pitfalls of the past. She underscores the importance of speed, agility, and agency collaboration to meet mission needs—warning that savings alone mean little if agencies can’t get what they need, when they need it.
In addition, Emily shares candid reflections on GSA’s physical footprint, including the historical yet aging headquarters at 1800 F Street, and how the agency can remain operationally effective even if it relocates. She also discusses the ongoing federal property disposal process, the challenges of building decommissioning, and the future of the Public Building Service.
Subscribe and listen anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com.
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It’s business as usual at one key government agency—even as the federal workforce faces uncertainty. Jim Kaplan, Director of External Affairs at the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board, joins the show to talk about a major milestone: the G Fund’s 38th birthday. Kaplan reflects on the TSP’s growth from its humble beginnings to serving over 7.2 million participants with $900 billion in assets.
He breaks down why the G Fund remains a foundational piece of many retirement portfolios, especially as part of the increasingly popular lifecycle (L) funds. Kaplan also highlights record-high participation in matching contributions—88.5% for FERS and nearly 90% for the Blended Retirement System—crediting successful auto-enrollment and personalized outreach strategies that nudge federal employees to maximize their benefits. Find more details about your TSP account and the G Fund’s birthday at FedGovToday.com.
Subscribe and listen anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com.
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Retired Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy and current CEO of the Navy League, Mike Stevens, joins Francis to deliver a stark message: the nation owes it to its sea service members to give them the tools, funding, and support they need—not only to accomplish the mission but to come home safely.
Stevens dives deep into the persistent challenges the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard face, from budget uncertainty and the constraints of continuing resolutions to the critical weaknesses in the maritime industrial base. With global tensions rising and Navy carrier groups actively engaging threats, the conversation underscores the high stakes for readiness and sustainability. Stevens also shares a powerful perspective on the mental and emotional toll that long deployments and high-stress combat environments can take on enlisted service members—effects that often don’t surface until years later.
Subscribe and listen anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com.
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Big changes are on the horizon for the FedRAMP cloud security program — and the reasons behind them are more than just procedural. Former Acting FedRAMP Director, Brian Conrad, joins Francis to break down what’s evolving, what’s staying the same, and why the ultimate goal is about delivering real security outcomes for federal data. Brian shares insights into the most common pain points industry partners faced under the old model — from finding an agency sponsor to navigating complex continuous monitoring requirements — and why upcoming automation efforts and direct authorization pathways could be game changers.
He also dives into the potential for AI, the importance of industry-government collaboration, and the role emerging initiatives like GovRAMP could play in harmonizing requirements across all levels of government.
Subscribe and listen anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com.
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The face of identity verification is changing—literally. Arun Vemury, Senior Advisor for Biometric and Identity Technologies at the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate, joins the show to break down the Remote Identity Validation Rally, an ambitious initiative tackling the growing challenge of verifying digital identities in an age of deepfakes, AI-generated fraud, and high-tech document forgeries.
Arun shares how DHS is partnering with TSA, Homeland Security Investigations, and NIST to rigorously test remote ID verification technologies—technologies that surged in use during the pandemic and are now under the microscope. From testing selfies and document photos against advanced fraud tactics, to analyzing solutions in sequestered environments without relying on the public cloud, DHS is pushing to ensure that these tools are accurate, secure, and reliable.
Read more about the Remote Identity Validation Rally full today’s show page at FedGovToday.com. Subscribe and listen anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com.
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We’re getting real about cloud strategy in government. If agencies are moving to the cloud—and most are—it’s time to stop treating it like a buzzword and start managing it like a business. Vijay D’Souza, Director of Information Technology and Cybersecurity at the Government Accountability Office (GAO), joins Francis to share insights from a brand-new guide that compiles 19 leading cloud practices from 18 private sector companies. Spoiler: it’s not just about tech. It’s about leadership, workforce readiness, acquisition smarts, and visibility into costs—especially through the emerging discipline of FinOps.
D’Souza talks about what the federal government can learn from industry leaders, why workforce challenges are universal, and how multi-cloud strategies offer both flexibility and complexity. He also emphasizes the importance of strong leadership in cloud success and explains how fragmented cost management in government is holding agencies back from realizing the full potential of their cloud investments.
Read Vijay’s full report on today’s show page at FedGovToday.com. Subscribe and listen anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com.
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The General Services Administration is making a bold move to centralize procurement across the federal government, but not everyone is on board. In this episode of Fed Gov Today, former Pennsylvania Chief Procurement Officer, David Yarkin, joins Francis to discuss the challenges and opportunities of strategic sourcing. Yarkin shares insights from his time in Pennsylvania, where similar efforts led to significant cost savings—and the lessons learned along the way. He explains why agencies often push back against consolidation and how procurement leaders can navigate these challenges to deliver better results for taxpayers.
Later, Yarkin dives into the measurable impact of procurement reform and why data-driven decision-making is key to success. He also discusses the lessons learned from past procurement failures and why technology is now essential in tracking vendor performance.
For more details and to read David’s piece, visit today’s show page at FedGovToday.com. Subscribe and listen anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com.
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We’re diving into a software problem that even DOGE would raise an eyebrow at. Federal agencies are sitting on a mountain of idle software licenses, sometimes with more subscriptions than employees to use them. Former Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) Chief Technology Officer, Bob Gourley, joins Francis to discuss how agencies can cut waste, streamline software procurement, and adopt smarter licensing models.
Gourley breaks down staggering audit findings—like an agency with 13,000 employees owning 37,000 WinZip licenses—and explains why this inefficiency persists. He outlines how the government’s $6 billion software budget could be optimized through enterprise-wide agreements, usage-based pricing, and open-source solutions with enterprise support. While centralizing procurement through GSA could bring cost savings, agencies also need the flexibility to make mission-driven decisions at a local level.
For more details and to read Bob’s full analysis, visit today’s show page at FedGovToday.com. Subscribe and listen anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anytime at FedGovToday.com.
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