Fed Gov Today

Today we dive into one of the most significant procurement transformations happening across the federal government—the consolidation of acquisition under the General Services Administration (GSA). Former FAS Commissioner and Alpha Tango Strategies founder, Alan Thomas, joins the show to dissect what’s driving this bold shift and why it matters to agencies, vendors, and small businesses alike.

You’ll learn why the Department of Homeland Security’s sudden cancellation of its PACTS III and FirstSource III contracts—transferring that work to GSA—sent ripples across the acquisition community. Alan explains how DHS made this move to align with Executive Order 14057 on centralizing procurement and what this means for other agencies potentially following suit. He shares how this transition underscores a broader movement: fewer contracts, more enterprise-wide solutions, and a push for the government to finally “buy as one.”

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

Francis welcomes Dr. Jerry McGinn—Executive Director of the Baroni Center for Government Contracting at George Mason University and former Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense—for a deep dive into one of the most urgent and complex questions in federal policy: Can the government truly lead innovation at scale? 

Jerry unveils new research showing a staggering 220% increase in Other Transaction Authority (OTA) contract spending since 2018, while also revealing why much of that growth remains difficult to quantify in terms of real-world outcomes. You’ll learn why OTA contracts and SBIR programs have exploded in use, yet lack consistent measures of success; what truly incentivizes innovation in the federal marketplace (hint: it’s not just money); and how outdated definitions and regulatory hurdles are holding back the involvement of non-traditional contractors. 

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

Listeners will learn how the L Funds work, why nearly 25% of participant allocations are now going into them, and how they automatically shift investments toward safer assets as retirement nears. Jim Kaplan, Director of External Affairs at the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board, joins the show to break down what that milestone means and why it matters for your retirement planning. Jim also explains how the L Funds’ default status for new enrollees simplifies decision-making while still offering flexibility for participants to customize their strategy.

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

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.

Former Director of the Office of Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E) at the Department of Defense, Doug Schmidt, unpacks one of the most pressing challenges in national security: the future of weapons testing in a rapidly evolving, tech-driven military landscape. Schmidt lends his insider perspective on the implications of a new directive from the Secretary of Defense —one that dramatically reshapes DOT&E with a leaner workforce and increased emphasis on automation and artificial intelligence.

Listeners will gain a rare glimpse into the high-stakes tension between innovation and oversight, as Schmidt discusses the difficulties of testing emerging, low-cost, rapid-deployment systems from non-traditional defense contractors. He raises critical concerns about integration, validation, and maintaining operational realism in testing environments—especially as staff and institutional memory are diminished. Schmidt also explores how automation and AI, while promising, still require substantial R&D investment before they can reliably replace the human expertise essential to effective testing. 

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

Former Federal CIO, Clare Martorana, unpacks the complex, fast-evolving role of data in driving government performance and public service. Clare explores how federal agencies are racing to keep up by improving data management, modernizing IT infrastructure, and nurturing cross-agency collaboration.

She speaks openly about the patchwork progress across the federal ecosystem and the urgent need for sustainable funding strategies and partnerships with Congress to match the speed of innovation.

You’ll also hear a powerful defense of bipartisan collaboration and continuity in federal tech programs like the Quality Service Management Offices (QSMOs) and the Technology Modernization Fund (TMF). Claire stresses that good tech policy is not red or blue—it’s purple.

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

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.

Former Federal CIO, Suzette Kent, joins Francis to dissect the pivotal modernization challenges facing every federal agency. With the future of the Technology Modernization Fund (TMF) hanging in the balance—especially as the Trump administration’s FY 2026 budget proposes zero dollars for it—Kent offers a candid, insider perspective on what the next generation of federal IT funding could (and should) look like.

Listeners will learn what alternative funding mechanisms could emerge, and why evolving how we fund tech change is vital in an age of rapid innovation, cyber threats, AI adoption, and outdated legislative frameworks. Suzette emphasizes the importance of internal agency alignment—among CIOs, CFOs, and legal teams—to control their tech destiny rather than ceding those funds elsewhere.

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

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.

Your retirement strategy just got a crucial update!

Two top leaders from the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board, Jim Kaplan, Director of External Affairs, and Jim Courtney, Director of the Office of Participant Experience—join Francis to break down what's changing, what’s staying, and what it all means for your money.

Listeners will get the inside scoop on the imminent retirement of the L 2025 Fund and the introduction of the L 2075 Fund, aimed at the newest generation of federal employees. You’ll learn how automatic defaults are streamlining the investment process for new hires, and how the TSP is hitting new highs with over 7 million accounts and nearly 3 million Roth participants. 

One major reveal in this episode is the upcoming Roth in-plan conversion, slated for launch in January 2026. Courtney shares insights from participant surveys, how interest levels are being gauged, and the strategic decision to create not just one—but two calculators to help participants understand and manage their conversions with ease. 

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