Gov Tech Today

In this episode of Gov Tech Today, hosts Russell Lowery and Jennifer Saha explore the intricate and often misunderstood partner ecosystem involved in government procurement. They dive into the roles of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), resellers, value-added resellers, and managed service providers (MSPs). By dissecting the processes and relationships between the state, vendors, and various partners, they aim to demystify how procurement works and who the key players are. They also discuss the challenges and advantages of these partnerships, including pricing dynamics and risk mitigation.

00:00 Introduction to GovTech Today

00:20 Understanding the Procurement Ecosystem

01:54 Role of Resellers in Procurement

04:18 Challenges in the Procurement Process

08:13 Value Added Resellers and Distributors

14:41 Managed Service Providers (MSPs)

20:59 Risk Mitigation in State Contracts

24:54 Conclusion and Future Topics

In this episode of GovTech Today, hosts Russell Lowery and Jennifer Saha discuss the complexities and frustrations of the reference process within government procurement. They explore different perspectives on the necessity and challenges of obtaining company and project references. The discussion highlights the issues with verifying past work, especially due to the mobility of personnel and non-disclosure agreements in industries like cybersecurity. Russell and Jennifer propose potential solutions, such as using attestation letters or maintaining a database of references to avoid repetitive verification. The conversation also covers the administrative burden and expenses associated with the current referencing system, emphasizing a need for reform. They suggest adopting a more flexible approach, similar to federal practices and propose piloting new methods to test their effectiveness in reducing project failures while saving time and costs.

00:00 Introduction to GovTech Today

00:16 Understanding the Reference Process

00:58 Challenges with Company References

07:39 Issues with Individual and Project References

12:17 Proposed Solutions and Alternatives

17:13 Conclusion and Call to Action

In this episode of Gov Tech Today, hosts Russell Lowery and Jennifer Saha delve into the intricacies of the Budget Change Proposal (BCP) process, a key driver of state technology spending. They explain the extensive timeline and multiple approval layers involved in drafting a BCP at the department level. They also highlight the challenges with inflexible budget allocations, outdated technology requirements, and internal competition among departments. The discussion explores potential improvements like incorporating flexibility in procurement and leveraging generative AI to streamline the BCP process. Emphasis is placed on the significance of understanding and collaborating on the BCP process for better state technology outcomes.

00:00 Introduction to GovTech Today

00:14 Understanding the Budget Change Proposal (BCP)

01:14 The BCP Approval Process

02:07 Challenges in the BCP Process

04:00 The Role of Departments and Agencies

07:55 Impact of Delays and Outdated Proposals

09:02 Improving the BCP Process with AI

13:20 Flexibility and Adaptability in Procurement

18:35 Potential Solutions and Pilot Projects

19:58 Conclusion and Action Items

In this episode of Gov Tech Today, hosts Russell Lowery and Jennifer Saha delve into the intricacies of the procurement process, specifically focusing on the requirements set during the RFP (Request for Proposal) and RFO (Request for Offer) stages. They discuss the spectrum of requirement specificity, from broad, innovation-focused RFIs (Request for Innovative Ideas) to highly detailed lists exceeding a thousand requirements. The conversation covers the impact of these approaches on vendor participation, potential perceptions of bias, and the need for flexibility and transparency in government procurement to foster the best solutions. The episode concludes by considering strategies for aligning procurement timelines with technology advancements to ensure relevant and modern requirements.

00:00 Introduction to Gov Tech Today

00:26 Understanding Requirements in RFP/RFO Processes

01:30 Challenges with Overly Specific Requirements

05:31 Finding a Balanced Approach

06:37 The Importance of Transparency

09:36 Adapting to Technological Changes

12:11 Conclusion and Future Insights

In this episode of Gov Tech Today, hosts Russell Lowery and Jennifer Saha delve into the intricacies of government procurement processes, focusing on the importance of budget transparency. They discuss the challenges vendors face without clear budget information in RFPs, using analogies to highlight the disparities in bids for government projects. Jennifer shares her passion for procurement and advocates for a cultural shift towards including budget guidance in RFPs to ensure a fairer and more competitive bidding environment. The conversation also touches on the policy changes required to foster this transparency.

00:00 Introduction to Gov Tech Today

00:42 The Importance of Budget Transparency in Procurement

01:52 Challenges and Impacts of Budget Secrecy

06:22 Proposed Solutions for Budget Disclosure

09:36 Policy Changes and Advocacy for Transparency

10:30 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of Gov Tech Today, host Jennifer Saha welcomes Igor Lys from the Government Tomorrow Forum to discuss his international journey from cultural diplomacy to government advisory. Igor shares insights on how diverse backgrounds and experiences can foster new ideas for government improvement. They delve into the complexities of risk aversion in government, international differences in governance, and the significant impact of AI on public services. Igor emphasizes the importance of creating platforms for interdisciplinary collaboration to generate innovative solutions for the future of governance. The conversation also touches upon workforce challenges in the public sector and the critical role of effective data management. Igor inspires listeners with his vision for the Government Tomorrow Forum's objectives and future initiatives.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

00:29 Igor Lys: Background and Career Journey

02:59 Government's Fear of Failure and Risk Aversion

05:22 International Government Improvement Initiatives

10:17 Generative AI in Government

15:27 Challenges and Opportunities with AI

39:05 Government Tomorrow Forum: Vision and Future

43:56 Conclusion and Invitation to California

In this episode of Gov Tech Today, hosts Russell Lowery and Jennifer Saha discuss the intersection of commerce and government with California DMV Director Steve Gordon. Gordon shares his journey from the private sector to leading DMV's significant technological transformation. Topics include decision-making, overcoming challenges, enhancing customer service, and future-proofing DMV operations. The episode also highlights DMV's innovative social media strategy and vendor partnerships, emphasizing the importance of technology in improving state services.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

00:29 Steve Gordon's Journey from Private to Public Sector

02:22 Challenges and Technological Transformations at the DMV

04:43 Overcoming Obstacles and Implementing Changes

07:19 Customer-Centric Innovations and Online Services

10:58 Ensuring Long-Term Success and Embracing Emerging Technologies

14:55 Effective Social Media Strategies and Public Engagement

18:46 Partnerships with the Vendor Community

24:26 Conclusion and Future Outlook

In this special episode of GovTech Today, hosts Russell Lowery and Jennifer Saha welcome Sadie St. Lawrence, a leading expert in data and AI, to discuss her journey into the data field, the importance of women in data, and her global nonprofit organization Women in Data. Sadie shares her unconventional path from piano performance to data science, the mission of Women in Data to increase diversity in data careers, and her latest initiatives including data education and AI strategy. They also touch on the unique challenges and opportunities for women in the public sector and the evolving role of data in government decision-making.

00:00 Introduction and Special Guest Announcement

00:30 Sadie St. Lawrence's Journey into Data Science

03:25 Jen Sayha's Background and Transition to Tech

06:02 Overview of Women in Data Organization

10:34 Challenges and Strategies for Women in Data

13:34 Government Sector and Data Leadership

22:04 Future of Human-Machine Collaboration

25:06 How to Get Involved and Final Thoughts

In this special episode of Gov Tech Today, host Russell Lowery speaks with Michael Sekamanya, CEO of Ametnas, about the company's innovative approach to orchestrating business applications with a focus on privacy and security. They discuss the implications of AI technology, including ChatGPT, for both the private and public sectors. Michael Sekamanya explains how Ametnas helps businesses deploy, maintain, and secure applications in private environments, catering to complex data governance and regulatory needs. He also delves into the challenges and solutions of integrating AI while maintaining data security and outlines how non-tech experts can effectively utilize these tools. Finally, they explore the importance of preparing and cleaning data to leverage AI capabilities efficiently.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

01:05 Overview of Ametnas and Its Services

03:49 Applications in the Public Sector

05:25 AI and Data Management Challenges

11:08 Deploying AI Solutions in Business

18:18 Security and Privacy in AI Deployment

26:52 The Future of AI and Getting Started

28:36 Conclusion and Contact Information

In this episode of Gov Tech Today, hosts Russell Lowery and Jennifer Saha discuss the recent legislative budget revisions for the State of California, which projects a $45 billion budget shortfall for the 2024-2025 budget year. Despite initial fears of larger deficits, early governmental actions have mitigated some of this gap. The episode further explores the implications of these budgetary decisions on technology projects and state workforce, highlighting how the tech sector might navigate these fiscal constraints. Special attention is given to AI initiatives and significant modernization projects that will continue despite cuts, such as those at the Employment Development Department and Department of Motor Vehicles. The discussion also covers the strategic importance of advocacy in budgeting for technology and potential impacts on public health initiatives due to budget cuts. Additionally, the hosts delve into the mechanics of the budget process, the strategy around member requests in the legislature, and the potential for adjustments during the 'budget bill junior' phase.

00:00 Introduction to Gov Tech Today: Bridging the Gap

00:10 Analyzing the Legislative Budget and May Revision

02:04 The Impact on Technology Projects and AI Initiatives

03:40 Engagement and Advocacy in the Tech Community

06:05 Statewide Implications and Budget Cuts

08:34 Navigating Spending Freezes and Contract Challenges

11:06 Future of Big Modernization Projects and Public Health Concerns

13:24 The Legislative Process and Budget Negotiations

14:47 Looking Ahead: Budget Bill Junior and Advocacy Opportunities