Government Matters

Reviewing the efficacy of defense spending

MG Arnold Punaro (USMC-ret.), chief executive officer of The Punaro Group and retired Major General in the Marine Corps, explains the importance of maximizing value in defense spending as Chinese capabilities continue to advance

Reviewing security changes under CISA’s role

Ron Marks, president of ZPN Cyber and National Security Strategies, discusses the national cyber director and changes in cybersecurity authority for government agencies

Shaping security assistance programs at the Pentagon

Brent Sadler, senior fellow for naval warfare and advanced technology at The Heritage Foundation and retired Navy Foreign Area Officer, discusses a proposed idea to address challenges of United States security assistance

Following DoD cloud capabilities after JEDI cancellation

Jack Wilmer, chief executive officer at Core4ce and former deputy chief information officer for cybersecurity at the Defense Department, provides his take on the cancellation of the Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure cloud computing contract

The future of effective IT implementation at the VA

Carol Harris, director of information technology and cybersecurity issues at the Government Accountability Office, discusses serious deficiencies in cybersecurity at the Department of Veterans Affairs

Reviewing technology evolution at the Pentagon

Timothy Walton, fellow at the Center for Defense Concepts and Technology at the Hudson Institute, discusses a piece he co-authored explaining the need for a new approach to joint force design and integration

Investing in new initiatives for the Navy

Thomas Harker, acting secretary of the U.S. Navy, discusses major efforts the Navy has undertaken, including mental health treatment improvement and technology modernization

The future of the National AI Research Resource Task Force

Dr. Erwin Gianchandani, deputy assistant director of Computer and Information Science and Engineering at the National Science Foundation, details the goals of the task force he co-chairs for driving innovation in artificial intelligence and machine learning

Recommendations for DoD in light of JEDI cancellation

Emily Murphy, former administrator of the General Services Administration, and Mark Forman, former E-Gov administrator and federal CIO at the Office of Management and Budget, discuss what to expect from the next defense enterprise cloud computing contract

Recommendations for implementing new Evidence Act

Nick Hart, president of the Data Foundation, discusses how agencies should go about developing the learning agenda and evaluation plan as part of the Evidence Act

Effects of sole-sourced components on readiness

Stephen Rodriguez, founder and managing partner at One Defense, discusses F-35 aircraft sustainment costs and challenges with the military’s spare parts supply chain

The future of fighter programs for global defense

Brian Burton, international business development specialist in the Defense, Space and Security division at Boeing, discusses the importance of collaborating effectively with allies as they make decisions about investments in future fighter aircraft fleets

Following DoD cloud capabilities after JEDI cancellation

Jack Wilmer, chief executive officer at Core4ce and former deputy chief information officer for cybersecurity at the Defense Department, provides his take on the cancellation of the Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure cloud computing contract

Reviewing the efficacy of defense spending

MG Arnold Punaro (USMC-ret.), chief executive officer of The Punaro Group and retired Major General in the Marine Corps, explains the importance of maximizing value in defense spending as Chinese capabilities continue to advance

Shaping security assistance programs at the Pentagon

Brent Sadler, senior fellow for naval warfare and advanced technology at The Heritage Foundation and retired Navy Foreign Area Officer, discusses a proposed idea to address challenges of United States security assistance

Analyzing the new Pentagon spending bill

Roman Schweizer, managing director for Aerospace and Defense at the Washington Research Group at Cowen and Company, provides insight into the $706 billion defense spending bill Congress will mark up

Reviewing TSP returns in latest Senate bill

Kim Weaver, director of external affairs at the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board, discusses how Sen. Marco Rubio’s two bills would affect the Thrift Savings Plan and investments for participants

Recommendations for agencies following diversity EO

Ahkesha Murray, principal for change management, culture, diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility at LMI, advises federal agencies on implementation of the executive order on diversity, equity and inclusion

Reviewing funding for Advanced Battle Management System

Gen. Hawk Carlisle (USAF, Ret.), president and chief executive officer of the National Defense Industrial Association and former commander of Air Combat Command, and Deborah Lee James, 23rd secretary of the Air Force and author of “Aim High: Chart Your Course and Find Success,” discuss the Air Force’s challenge of demonstrating ABMS program value to Congress

The latest on IG government shutdown legislation

Jon Rymer, principal at Lynch Consultants and former Inspector General at the Department of Defense, and Daniel Levinson, former Inspector General at the Department of Health and Human Services and the General Services Administration, present their thoughts on legislation for IGs to work during shutdowns and a proposal to investigate telework success

The latest on cybersecurity initiatives in federal agencies

Essye Miller, chief executive officer of Executive Business Management and former principal deputy chief information officer at the Defense Department, and Suzanne Spaulding, senior advisor of homeland security at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and former under secretary at the National Protection and Programs Directorate at the Department of Homeland Security, discuss investment in cyber resilience and progress on top cyber position confirmations

Reviewing the results of the Best Places to Work survey

Loren DeJonge Schulman, former chief of staff to the assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs, discusses the latest Best Places to Work in the Federal Government data and tips for agencies based on the results

Reviewing the EDOS contract at the IRS

Jim Williams, former head of the IRS procurement organization, provides recommendations regarding the Enterprise Development, Operations Services contract at the IRS

Reviewing trends in multiple-award contract spending

Paul Murphy, senior data analyst for government contracts at Bloomberg Government, presents insight and analysis into government multiple-award contract spending increases

Reviewing the importance of AI in national security

Angela Sheffield, senior program manager for AI for Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation R&D at the National Nuclear Security Administration, discusses what needs to be done to use artificial intelligence to its full potential for national security

Tracking internal success in federal agencies

Danny Werfel, former acting IRS commissioner and former OMB controller, discusses the latest numbers for the best places to work in the federal government and advice for agencies based on the results

Reviewing the future of the defense budget request

Mackenzie Eaglen, resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, discusses negotiations between Congress and the Defense Department about research, development and technology

The debate over the future of the federal workforce

Donald Kettl, Sid Richardson professor at the LBJ School, details four recommendations for revamping the federal workforce to focus primarily on the mission of government