Today's exciting episode of the Fed to Fed podcast focuses on how federal agencies and industry partners can prepare for evolving cyber threats. We discuss the importance of prioritizing strategies like automated remediation, layered defenses, and proactive security monitoring. We also explore how to responsibly and effectively implement AI as an effective tool while minimizing risk. 

Join us as we welcome Jeremy Newberry from Merlin Cyber to the GOVTECH CONNECTS Fed to Fed Podcast. 

About Today's Guest:

Jeremy Newberry is a cybersecurity strategist and architect with a mission to operationalize cybersecurity—turning strategy into action to protect organizations against evolving threats. With over two decades of experience advising federal agencies, enterprises, and technology leaders, Jeremy specializes in Zero Trust architectures, AI-driven security operations, and advanced threat intelligence. With a simple goal: translating cybersecurity strategies into operational success, ensuring organizations are not just secure in theory but resilient in practice.

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In today's conversation with Enterprise Intelligence and Data Solutions Program Manager, Chris Nichols, we dive into how the program streamlines large amounts of data to provide real, actionable insights leading to improved military health services and mission outcomes.

Learn how streamlined data processing improves federal health services and about current priorities in this episode of the Fed to Fed podcast!

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In today's episode of the Fed to Fed podcast, we sit down with program representatives from the Digital Health Transformation Award honoree, IIA Predictive Modeling System. This sophisticated tool enhances healthcare decision-making within the Veterans Health Administration.

The IIA Predictive Modeling System is a key initiative leveraging explainable AI to analyze patient care needs, identify high-risk individuals, and improve chronic disease management using predictive analytics to anticipate needs and improve early intervention. 

Learn more about the collaboration, challenges, and future goals for this program in today's episode! 

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In today's episode of the Fed to Fed podcast, we explore how technology and data-driven solutions are transforming support for military service members and their families. 

Guests Tony Kurta and Dr. Keita Franklin from Leidos discuss the critical role of data in shaping military readiness, from health and behavioral insights to holistic well-being. They highlight the importance of trust, early intervention, and centralized dashboards in helping leaders make informed decisions. Join us as we learn how data drives a stronger, more resilient force. 

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Traditional federal procurement methods struggle to keep up with the rapid pace of technological advancements, creating challenges in achieving mission objectives. Rigid compliance frameworks, lengthy approval processes, and limited flexibility hinder innovation and collaboration with industry stakeholders.  

In this first episode of our new IGNITE podcast series, we discuss how federal agencies can overcome these challenges by adopting modular contracting, Other Transaction Authorities (OTAs), and early industry engagement to integrate cutting-edge technology and improve acquisition agility. We explore the transformative role of AI and predictive analytics along with the importance of visionary leadership in fostering Agile frameworks.

Today’s guests:

• Karen Brazell, Vice President for the Department of Veterans Affairs Account, SAIC
• Moderator: Susan Sharer, Chief Executive Officer, GOVTECH CONNECTS

Karen Brazell is Vice President for the Department of Veterans Affairs Account at SAIC, supporting veterans through cybersecurity, financial systems, and program management. A U.S. Army veteran (1984–1988), she retired from federal service in 2021 after 20 years, including roles as Acting Assistant Secretary and Chief Acquisition Officer at the VA and 16 years at the White House Military Office. She also serves on the board of the National Veteran Small Business Coalition.

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Beyond the annual APBI, how can companies learn about opportunities and trend forecasts at the VA TAC? As part of their commitment to improving communication and transparency with industry, the VA TAC is an early adopter of the GAO's Acquisition Gateway. On today's episode of What's Next!?, a special series of the Fed to Fed Podcast by GOVTECH CONNECTS, CEO Susan Sharer speaks with Jeffrey Neill, Associate Executive Director of the VA's Technology Acquisition Center (TAC) about how businesses looking to work with the VA TAC can leverage the Acquisition Gateway to improve their company's competitiveness for future opportunities.

Would you like to submit feedback to the VA TAC team? Fill out this survey by January 15, 2025 to share your thoughts: https://forms.office.com/r/P6hx36PwBe

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Have you heard about the latest at the VA TAC? Join GOVTECH CONNECTS CEO, Susan Sharer, with Jeff Neil, Associate Executive Director of the VA's Technology Acquisition Center (TAC) on this episode of What's Next!?, a special series of the Fed to Fed Podcast by GOVTECH CONNECTS. We'll hear all about "What's Next!?" at the VA TAC with insights on how leadership is approaching engagement with industry, driving efforts to support modernization, and finding ways to better connect within the government and industry communities. 

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The VA TAC is exploring strategies to increase participation of women-owned small businesses that want to work with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Technology Acquisition Center (TAC). 

On today's episode of What's Next!?, a special series of the Fed to Fed Podcast by GOVTECH CONNECTS, CEO Susan Sharer sits down with Jeffrey Neill, Associate Executive Director of the VA's Technology Acquisition Center (TAC) to discuss the ways the TAC is working to improve access for women-owned and women veteran-owned small businesses.

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Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data modernization are having profound effects on the public health sector as they have in the health care and other sector.  But the exact nature of the impact on public health is just beginning to be fully understood.  Preliminary areas with great promise include assisting in communications (producing materials in multiple languages and literacy levels), in efficiently simplifying tedious processes (like gathering necessary public health reportable data from health care records in a fraction of the current time), and identifying early disease outbreaks and other health concerns as early as possible so they can be nipped in the bud (using such tools as syndromic surveillance in emergency room settings and Wastewater surveillance screenings).  ICF is actively involved in assisting CDC and other public health agencies in understanding and tapping the possibilities as well as understanding and helping to overcome the challenges Two of ICF’s AI leaders, Senior Vice President, Health, John Auerbach and Principal Data Scientist Eddie Kirkland, discuss these matters.

John Auerbach
John Auerbach is the Senior Vice President for Public Health at ICF where he serves as a thought leader and liaison with federal agencies and non-profit public health organizations. Over the course of a thirty-year career, John Auerbach has held senior public health positions at the federal, state, and local levels in both governmental and non-governmental organizations.

Eddie Kirkland
Eddie is ICF’s Principal Data Scientist, a statistics and data science expert at ICF with more than 20 years of experience in data and software engineering. He specializes in guiding data-rich projects from concept to delivery, working directly with clients to identify areas of need, developing custom solutions in an agile framework, and delivering clear and meaningful results.

ICF is a global consulting and technology services company with approximately 9,000 employees, but we are not your typical consultants. At ICF, business analysts and policy specialists work together with digital strategists, data scientists and creatives. We combine unmatched industry expertise with cutting-edge engagement capabilities to help organizations solve their most complex challenges. Since 1969, public and private sector clients have worked with ICF to navigate change and shape the future. Learn more at icf.com.

To learn more about this topic, check out this webinar: https://www.icf.com/insights/health/role-of-ai-advancing-public-health 

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As the Federal Government moves toward Digital Services, how can Government and Industry better collaborate to enhance the user experience? Listen to today's episode of the Fed to Fed Podcast to find out! 

Rob Wilkinson is the co-founder & Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Oddball, an award-winning digital service agency. Rob is responsible for finding cutting-edge digital solutions to innovate government services. He is focused on expanding Oddball’s technical capabilities to provide cost and time savings for the Department of Defense (DoD), Veterans Affairs (VA), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and other partners. Passionate about user experience, his work is pivotal in identifying next-generation technologies and methodologies to accelerate delivery and deliver world-class client results.

Tony Meyer, Chief Growth Officer, Oddball
Tony is a dynamic and results-driven Chief Growth Officer with a proven track record of driving $1B+ in revenue and market expansion for leading organizations. With more than 18 years of experience in the business development and growth strategy domain, Tony works with the Oddball team in identifying opportunities for sustainable growth, crafting innovative strategies, and fostering cross-functional collaboration to achieve remarkable results. Tony is dedicated to delivering measurable outcomes and is passionate about shaping the future of Federal IT through strategic vision and execution.

Oddball Website:  https://oddball.io

At Oddball, we’re not just another agency – we’re a strangely human force driving innovation in government digital services. Our team consists of experienced engineers, program managers, and other commercial tech professionals, and our passion lies not just in creating solutions but also in collaboratively addressing client challenges. Oddball takes pride in supporting federal clients throughout the entire process – from design to deployment. We specialize in crafting scalable solutions that are purpose-built for the citizens they serve and the workforces they empower.

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