Government Matters

Katherine Hammack, former assistant secretary of the Army (for installations, energy, and environment), discusses the impact of 'Buy American, Hire American' policies on federal agencies.

Sonny Hashmi, managing director of global government at Box, discusses the decision-making process for federal agencies around data center closure or consolidation.

Ron Marks, chair of the intelligence program at the Daniel Morgan Graduate School of National Security, discusses cybersecurity reforms contained in the House's version of the DHS authorization bill.

Al McGartland, director of the Natural Center for Environmental Economics at the Environmental Protection Agency, discusses the role of economics in creating environmental policy.

John Banghart, senior director of technology risk management at Venable, and Rob Knake, senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, discuss the growing attention to risk assessment in development of cybersecurity strategy.

Kim Weaver, director of external affairs at the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board, discusses the TSP’s newest investments in IT infrastructure and the future of the TSP withdrawal bill.

David Hawkings, senior editor at CQ Roll Call and Sarah Ferris, budget and appropriations reporter at Politico, discuss the potential budget and appropriations votes coming up this week on Capitol Hill.

Robert Shea, principal at Grant Thornton Public Sector, discusses the effort by the Trump administration and Congress to reduce the amount of improper payments being made by agencies.

Eric Crusius, senior counsel at Holland & Knight, discusses the major acquisition changes proposed in the House’s version of the FY18 National Defense Authorization Act.

The Office of Naval Research held its Future Force Science and Technology Expo this past week -- where the new chief of naval research, Rear Adm. David Hahn, introduced his strategic vision. Hahn said we live in "an age of acceleration" where data moves at the speed of light and researchers need to harness innovation wherever they can find it. The challenge is keeping up. Earlier this month, Hahn detailed that challenge and gave Government Matters exclusive access to some of NRL's most exciting labs.

In October of 2015, the Office of Management and Budget chartered a new organization dubbed USSM -- Unified Shared Services Management. It's stated goal: Transform the way government does business internally in order to improve the way government serves the American public externally. Elizabeth Angerman, executive director of USSM, was recently nominated for a Service to America Medal. She discussed the program's progress under a new administration and amid an effort to reorganize the government.

FCW editor-in-chief Troy Schneider, Federal News Radio reporter Nicole Ogrysko, and Nexgov reporter Mohana Ravindranath joined Colby for this edition of the Federal Beat. They discussed NAPA's call for civil service reform, FedRAMP's latest step forward, possible cuts to federal retirement, and other headlines.

Last week, the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General released a compendium of nearly 1,300 open recommendations made over the past decade. Troy Meyer, principal assistant IG for auditing, discussed that compendium with Government Matters.

Former NASA administrator Sean O'Keefe and former deputy secretary of defense William Lynn detailed their recent study, "Future Foundry: How Commercial Technology is Reshaping the Defense Industry." They also discussed Defense Innovation Unit Experimental, the Pentagon acquisition process, and research & development.

Chief of Naval Research Rear Adm. David Hahn discussed his strategic vision for the Naval Research Laboratory -- including the business opportunities that lie ahead -- in an exclusive interview with Government Matters' Francis Rose.

Hudson Hollister, executive director of the Data Coalition, explained the different agency responses to this spring's DATA Act deadline -- non-compliance, compliance, communication, and leadership -- and how agencies can move forward.

Rear Adm. Jamie Barnett (USN, ret.), a partner is Venable's cybersecurity practice, discussed the path forward after a recent Intelligence Community finding that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election.

Maria Horton, founder and CEO of EmeSec, discusses changes to U.S. cyber strategy as lawmakers in both the House and Senate push for the passage of the NDAA bill.

Nick Nayak, former chief procurement officer at the Department of Homeland Security and president of Green Light Acquisition, addresses industry concerns over the influence of politics on federal procurement following the GSA’s restructuring.

Tom Fox, vice president of leadership and innovation at the Partnership for Public Service, discusses the White House’s new focus on improving customer service in government.

Former U.S. Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James discusses National Defense Authorization Act negotiations (including the Space Corps proposal), plans to fix the pilot shortage, and challenges facing her successor Heather Wilson.

Jim Williams, former acting administrator at the General Services Administration, discusses concerns -- levied by some lawmakers -- the GSA is becoming too political. He also addressed the failed search for a new FBI headquarters and GSA's current leadership vacuum.

FCW editor-in-chief Troy Schneider, FedScoop managing editor Billy Mitchell, and Federal News Radio reporter Meredith Somers join Colby for this edition of the Federal Beat. They discuss a week in headlines for the General Services Administration, plus the Office of American Innovation's pitch for Centers of Excellence across government.

Inside Defense editor Marjorie Censer and Inside the Pentagon chief editor Tony Bertuca joined Colby for this edition of the Pentagon Beat. They discuss National Defense Authorization Act negotiations, Russia's approach to defense spending, and Lockheed Martin's investment in nanosatellite technology.

Terry Halvorsen, former chief information officer at the Department of Defense, discusses a proposal that would reorganize his former office. He also weighed in on the Cyber Excepted Service and plans to replace the Common Access Card.

Phil Carter, senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, discusses a new transparency effort at the Department of Veterans Affairs -- a public-facing list of employee terminations, demotions, and suspensions.

Former General Services Administration administrator Dan Tangherlini and former Office of Management and Budget controller Danny Werfel, co-hosts of FedScoop's Gov Actually podcast, discuss GSA's canceled search for a new FBI headquarters.

Paul Kirby, senior editor for TR Daily, discusses Virginia's decision to opt-in to FirstNet -- an initiative that aims to build a nationwide, wireless public-safety network.

Phil Sparks and Mary Jo Hoeksema, co-directors of The Census Project, discuss budget and leadership challenges facing the Census Bureau three years ahead of the 2020 count.