In this episode of Gov Tech Today, hosts Jennifer Saha and Russell Lowery discuss the SB DBVE option, a State-contracted vehicle designed to streamline the execution of small contracts under $250,000 with small businesses and disabled veteran businesses. It is deemed a 'secret weapon' for entities seeking to do business with the state, due to its flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and its ability to be executed quickly. Furthermore, this contract option helps the state in reaching business diversity goals. The hosts encourage small businesses and DVBEs to seize this opportunity and suggest that an inflation-adjusted increase in the cap will allow more small business participation. The certification process is managed by the Department of General Services, and the hosts recommend potential contractors investigate and establish a good fit with a state department before pursuing any opportunities.

00:06 Introduction to the Episode

00:14 Recap of Previous Episode and Introduction to New Topic

01:00 Exploring the SB DBBE Option for Small Businesses

01:38 Comparing SB DBBE Option with Traditional Bidding

02:40 Advantages of SB DBBE Option for Small Businesses

02:52 Rationale Behind the Development of SB DBBE Option

05:27 How to Suggest SB DBBE as a Contracting Vehicle

06:44 Types of Contracts Suitable for SB DBBE Option

07:43 Steps to Engage with the Opportunity as a Small Business

08:40 How to Approach Agencies and Do Your Homework

09:37 Conclusion and Call to Action for Policymakers

In this episode of GovTech Today, Russell Lowery and Jennifer Saha discuss the potential of small businesses to thrive in California despite the state's $68 billion deficit. They highlighted that California, being the fifth largest economy in the world, represents a massive market for small businesses and disadvantaged businesses like Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises (DVBEs). Jen spoke about the state's policy commitment to allocates 25% of state contracts to small businesses and 3% to DVBEs. Other key topics discussed include bid preferences for small businesses and DVBEs, the role of the Office of Small Business Advocate in promoting small businesses and helping them navigate state contracts, as well as exploring synergies between larger integrators and small businesses.

00:05 Introduction to the Episode

00:19 State Deficit and its Impact on Small Businesses

00:43 Opportunities for Small Businesses Despite Deficit

01:38 Can Small Businesses Compete in the Current Environment?

02:30 State's Ambitious Policy Goals for Small Businesses

03:32 Certification Requirements for Small Businesses

04:38 Preferences for Small Businesses and Disabled Veteran Businesses

06:27 Partnership between Big System Integrators and Small Businesses

07:56 Role of Small Business Advocate

09:14 Advocacy and Education for Small Businesses

10:18 Problem Solving for Small Businesses

11:29 Identifying Opportunities for Small Businesses

12:49 Closing Remarks and Resources for Small Businesses

In this edition of GovTech Today, hosts Russell Lowery and Jennifer Saha discussed the shortage in the tech labor force, a problem that significantly affects the government sector. They touched on reform initiatives related to IT classifications in state government and provided details about how these classifications were consolidated from 36 to nine broad categories in 2018. They also emphasized the benefits offered by the government, such as substantial salaries and strong benefits packages, including retirement pensions and medical coverage. Additionally, they gave an overview of career progression and mobility within the government IT sector. Lastly, they provided advice on how to stand out when applying for gov jobs and reassured listeners that previous private sector experience can qualify them for higher positions within the government sector.

00:06 Introduction and Topic Overview

00:10 Understanding the Tech Labor Shortage in Government

00:30 Reform Initiatives and IT Classifications in State Government

02:00 The Role of State Employee Union in IT Classifications

03:29 Qualifications and Salary in Government IT

07:09 Benefits of Working in Government IT

09:28 Navigating the Career Ladder in Government IT

15:09 Transitioning Between Private Sector and State Employment

16:36 How to Apply for a Job in Government IT

18:08 Entering Government IT at Different Career Stages

19:01 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of GovTech Today, hosts Russell Lowery and Jennifer Saha discuss several legislative implications for the tech industry, notably touching on AI laws, cybersecurity, privacy rights, and the rise of zero trust architectures. They highlight the complexity of how these new legislations might realistically be implemented and enforced, also hinting at potential hurdles businesses might face. The discussion also anticipates the future legislative directions based on the recent two-year bills and executive orders, encouraging the idea of proactive involvement from private sector stakeholders in the legislative process.

00:06 Introduction to GovTech Today

00:10 Discussing the Impact of Legislation on Tech and Government

01:09 Highlighting High Priority Bills and Their Implications

01:21 Exploring AI Bias and Its Impact on the Department of Technology

02:30 Understanding the Role of Industry in High Risk Systems

02:41 Deep Dive into Data and Machine Learning

03:03 Unpacking the Complexity of AI Compliance

05:08 Exploring Cybersecurity and the Expansion of California Cybersecurity Integration Center

07:15 Standardizing the .gov Suffix Across Cities and Counties

09:53 Discussing the Impact of the Delete Act on Data Brokers

15:59 Preview of Upcoming Legislative Topics

18:06 Exploring the Future of AI Regulation

19:31 Closing Remarks and the Importance of Advocacy

In this episode of Gov Tech Today, hosts Russell Lowery and Jennifer Saha discuss the surprise government spending freeze issued by the government. They explore the ramifications, analyzing the unexpected freeze's impacts on budgets and current projects. Meanwhile, the hosts elaborate on how the freeze might be a response to projected budget deficits running into billions. They delve into the exemption process involved in the freeze, the high bars set for receiving an exemption, and how each agency has the authority to approve or disapprove exemptions. They also discuss the role of technology and IT spending during such challenging fiscal periods and underscore the importance of tech being acknowledged as critical infrastructure. Concluding in a rather optimistic note, our hosts encourage innovators to align their solutions with the government's needs and help it deliver better services despite budget constraints.

00:06 Introduction and Overview

00:29 Government Spending Freeze

02:53 Exemption Process and Challenges

04:35 Impact on Technology Projects

07:46 Potential Opportunities Amidst the Freeze

08:59 Impact on State Employees and Travel

11:24 Budget Negotiations and Future Projections

19:18 Navigating the New Budget Landscape

21:42 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of Gov Tech Today, hosts Russell Lowery and Jennnifer Saha discuss the vital topic of cybersecurity in the Gov Tech industry, specifically where the state of California stands. They refer to the National Association of State CIOs' survey which has shown cybersecurity as the top priority for the past 10 years. They explore the ever-evolving nature of cybersecurity, the increasing rate of ransomware attacks on state and local governments, and the CALSIC initiative where all relevant agencies come together to tackle cybersecurity. They highlight the importance of government protection of valuable private information, the need for proactive funding, and the importance of disaster recovery and business continuity. The episode ends with guidance for businesses aiming to assist the government in achieving CALSECURE. The discussion provides crucial insights on the pressing need for robust cybersecurity in the digital era.

00:06 Introduction to the Episode
00:15 Discussing Cybersecurity in California
00:57 Understanding the Importance of Cybersecurity
01:24 The State of Cybersecurity in California
01:47 The Impact of Ransomware Attacks
04:04 The Role of California Cybersecurity Integration Center
05:54 The Importance of Cybersecurity Funding
10:25 The Human Factor in Cybersecurity
17:22 The Role of Data Catalog in Cybersecurity
17:45 Recovery and Business Continuity in Cybersecurity
19:10 Understanding CalSecure and Its Role in Cybersecurity
20:17 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this edition of GovTech Today, Russell Lowery and Jennifer Saha dive into a discussion about AI, its various uses, and the way it is received by different states in the US, focusing on generative AI. They explore the role of AI in state government response and the issues surrounding AI bias and technology failure. They also share their ideas on future developments in AI regulations and the potential for state agencies to collaborate with the private sector to capitalize on AI technology.

00:05 Introduction and Overview of AI

00:23 Understanding AI and its Evolution

02:10 AI in Government: Current State and Challenges

02:55 AI Adoption: Different Approaches by States

03:28 AI Use Cases in Government

05:35 AI and Data Management: The Importance of Governance

10:24 AI and Bias: The Double-Edged Sword of Innovation

16:00 AI Regulation: State and Federal Perspectives

18:56 AI and Workforce: Filling the Gap

23:39 The Future of AI in Government

25:07 Conclusion: The Need for Speed in AI Adoption

Hosts Russell Lowery and Jennifer Saha discuss the vast potential in local government spending, particularly in regards to technology. Jennifer showcases her research into local governments' technology budgets, emphasizing their often overlooked opportunities. The hosts also highlight some unexpected innovation in small cities or counties, and discuss the growth potential in the State & Local Government (SLED) market. They also briefly touch upon Jennifer's services, which aim to facilitate businesses to understand and access these opportunities.

00:06 Introduction to GovTech Today

00:15 Broadening the Idea of GovTech

00:40 Exploring Local Governments

01:35 The Potential of Local Governments

02:11 Innovation in Local Governments

03:04 Local Governments as Policy Experiment Areas

03:20 The Rinse and Repeat Model in Local Governments

03:47 The Importance of Public Sector References

04:07 The Spending Power of Local Governments

04:43 The 10 Percent Rule in Government Technology

05:55 Understanding City Councils and City Managers

07:50 The Importance of Doing Your Homework

12:39 The Growth of IT Spending in Local and State Governments

15:01 Understanding the Services of GovTech Companies

17:07 Conclusion: The Scope of Opportunity in Local Governments

In this episode of Gov Tech Today, hosts Russell Lowery and Jennifer Saha discuss the roles and impacts of conferences, events, and summits in the field of government technology. The hosts shed light on how these events can be beneficial for technology professionals in the government, highlighting the networking opportunities, learning experiences, and potential for showcasing technological capabilities. Interestingly, they also delve into the factors influencing the locations and target audience of these conferences. The conversation expands to cover government purchasing practices, the inherent challenges for smaller businesses, and the complexities of sales cycles in the government technology industry. This episode provides an insightful glimpse into the intricate dynamics of the Gov Tech field.

00:06 Introduction to Gov Tech Today

00:10 Understanding the Role of Conferences, Events, and Summits

01:18 The Impact of Political Restrictions on Conference Attendance

02:12 The Value of Conferences for State Employees

03:11 The Role of Vendors at Conferences

05:37 The Importance of Networking at Different Levels

08:14 The Challenges of Government Sales Cycle

10:11 Understanding the Role of Resellers in Government Purchasing

12:23 The Reality of Competition in Government Purchasing

14:10 The Challenges for Small Businesses in Attending Conferences

15:42 Conclusion: The Importance of Networking in Government Technology

In today's episode, Jennifer Saha and Russell Lowery discuss the state of telework in California's government. They delve into the emerging hybrid model, which signifies a notable departure from the traditional in-person work dynamics. This transformation is triggered by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, necessitating a swift shift from predominantly in-office work to a remote work environment, redefining how state employees operate.

Before the pandemic, telework was a rarity in government positions, with most roles requiring employees to be physically present in the office. However, as the pandemic unfolds, the state swiftly adapts to a predominantly remote work setup.

While the initial transition is towards 100% remote work, it has since evolved into a hybrid model, with state departments implementing policies that blend in-office and remote work. This hybrid model provides employees with greater flexibility, enabling them to save time on commuting and allowing for the possibility of remote hires from outside the local area.

However, the diverse telework policies adopted by different state departments introduce challenges. Employees now have the flexibility to select their preferred work arrangements, potentially creating competition between departments for talent. This approach also impacts government service delivery, team dynamics, and communication. Balancing telework preferences with effective collaboration remains an ongoing challenge in California's evolving approach to remote work.