Government Matters

The role of the FTC in vertical mergers

Gen. Herbert “Hawk” Carlisle (USAF, Ret.), president and chief executive officer of the National Defense Industrial Association, explains why vertical mergers are important for encouraging innovation and competing with China

The importance of data for Naval Information Forces

Rear Adm. Gene Price, vice commander of Naval Information Forces, explains the role of NAVIFOR and the importance of information warfare to the military

Reviewing the key elements to define DoD battle networks

Todd Harrison, director of defense budget analysis and the Aerospace Security Project at the Center for Strategic & International Studies, discusses his idea for a framework for communicating about the military’s Joint All-Domain Command and Control concept

Implementing new CISA platform at federal agencies

Bob Bigman, founder of 2BSecure, discusses the new vulnerability disclosure policy platform that enables agencies to collaborate with the public to improve cybersecurity

Preparing for biological incidents at federal agencies

Chris Currie, director of homeland security issues at the Government Accountability Office, explains what went wrong in preparing for biological attacks prior to the Covid-19 pandemic

Recommendations for DoD leaders to align resources and strategy

Stacie Pettyjohn, senior fellow and director in the Defense Program at the Center for a New American Security, discusses why the high-end deterrence strategy is the best path forward and how Pentagon leaders can implement it

Adjusting RTO plans at federal agencies

Mika Cross, federal workplace expert, discusses what agencies should consider as they develop or revise return-to-office plans in light of uncertainty surrounding the Delta variant

Focusing on acquisition pipeline for government contractors

Larry Allen, president of Allen Federal Business Partners, discusses efforts to expand opportunities for small businesses in government contracting and priorities for the end of the fiscal year

Reviewing the future of the defense budget request

Mackenzie Eaglen, resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, discusses defense spending for fiscal year 2022, competition with China and support for the defense civilian workforce

Recommendations for creating a Bureau of Cyber Statistics

Sen. Angus King (I-ME), chair of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission, discusses reasons to establish a new cyber statistics bureau and priorities for the national cyber director

The importance of securing contractor PIV cards

Michael Missal, inspector general of the Department of Veterans Affairs, goes over findings about adequately tracking contractor personal identify verification cards

Challenges and opportunities for OFPP leadership

Angela Styles, partner at Akin Gump, and Jim Williams, partner at Schambach & Williams Consulting, discuss priorities for the next leader of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy

Reviewing federal contracts from the Covid-19 pandemic

Marie Mak, director of contracting and national security acquisitions at GAO, reviews a new report from her office outlining challenges agencies faced in contracting with new vendors during the pandemic

Considering benefits of OTA contracts for agencies

Jason Knudson, vice president of product development at Second Front Systems, discusses Other Transaction Authorities and explains how agencies can best take advantage of them in procurement

Responding to vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure

Rita Foster, infrastructure advisor at Idaho National Laboratory, discusses implications of 14 major cybersecurity vulnerabilities affecting the federal government and steps for defending against them

Recommendations for contractors following Covid-19 protocols

David Berteau, president and chief executive officer of the Professional Services Council, discusses what needs clarification in the White House’s announcement about vaccination and testing for federal contractors

Responding to climate change at the Pentagon

Sharon Burke, president of Ecospherics, discusses national security, climate change and Defense Department investments in reducing operational energy demand

Considering data localization for national security

Erol Yayboke, director and senior fellow for the Project on Fragility and Mobility at CSIS, explains risks and challenges posed by data localization mandates from other countries

Gathering data for storm predictions at NASA

Dr. Karen St. Germain, director of the Earth Science Division at NASA, discusses her organization’s use of data from satellites in its partnerships with other agencies

Recommendations for the federal cyber workforce

Michelle Amante, vice president of Federal Workforce Programs at the Partnership for Public Service, goes over recommendations for recruitment and retention of cyber talent at federal agencies

Prioritizing Army challenges under new budget

Billy Fabian, adjunct senior fellow for the Defense Program at the Center for a New American Security and senior analyst at Govini, explains the “iron triangle” of missions the Army believes it needs to prepare for

Reconsidering workforce policies with hybrid work options

Jeff Neal, author of www.ChiefHRO.com, discusses what federal agency leaders are considering as they develop flexible telework policies and manage the return to offices

Reviewing increased participation in L Funds

Kim Weaver, director of external affairs at the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board, explains what is driving increased participation in the Thrift Savings Plan Lifecycle Funds

Implementing IT modernization for hybrid federal workplaces

Jonathan Alboum, federal chief technology officer at ServiceNow, discusses why now is a good time to evaluate the sustainability of processes implemented during COVID and adjust as needed

Priority recommendations from DoD’s 2021 OIG Compendium

Troy Meyer, acting deputy inspector general for audit at the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, goes over the significant progress the Defense Department has made in implementing his office’s 2021 Compendium recommendations

Implementing new full-time telework policy at GPO

Dan Mielke, chief human capital officer at the U.S. Government Publishing Office, discusses his agency’s new expanded telework options and advice for other federal agencies

Preparing for new COVID-19 requirements for federal workers

Janice Lachance, executive vice president at the American Geophysical Union, and Jeff Pon, national co-chair of the Training and Development Optimization Council, provide advice for agencies in implementing the new vaccination, testing and mask policies for federal employees

Recommendations for confronting trust in agencies

Dave Wennergren, chief executive officer of ACT-IAC, discusses agility, character and the most important thing leaders can do to build trust with their employees

Prioritizing biosecurity in government

Rose Butchart, associate fellow in the Defense-Industrial Initiatives Group at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, discusses government efforts to assess and manage risks posed by biological agents and the importance of working with the bioeconomy community