Robert and Adam are sailing solo on this special episode of the GovNavigators Show, featuring an in-depth discussion of recent developments from OPM, OMB, GAO, and more. With the end of the fiscal year fast approaching, the GovNavigators are here to make sense of the storm. Hold on tight!

Show Notes: 

OPM: New Guidelines for Performance Reviews

OMB: Updates to A-11

GAO: New Video

Events on the GovNavigator’s Radar

September 24-25, 2025: AGA’s Internal Controls & Fraud Conference 

 October 9, 2025: FedInsider / Carahsoft Innovation Summit 

This week, the GovNavigators welcome back Charles Cooper of Brumidi Group for a frank look at Congress’s crowded to-do list. From looming shutdown risks, rescissions, and the fight over appropriations to the fate of healthcare extenders, the farm bill, and other expiring programs, Charles explains why the path forward is rockier than ever—and where bipartisan opportunities may still emerge.

Show Notes:

 Combined Federal Campaign: Website

 Treasury and GSA: SAVE Program

Events on GovNavigators' Radar:

September 16-18, 2025  

• Partnership for Public Service’s GovHR Conference 

September 18, 2025  

• GovExec’s GAIN Conference 

September 17, 2025 

• ACT-IAC's Digital Transformation Summit 

September 24-25, 2025 

• AGA’s Internal Controls & Fraud Conference 

This week, the GovNavigators welcome Anne Meeker, Deputy Director of the PopVox Foundation, for a conversation on making Congress work better. From the overlooked power of casework to AI’s role in shaping legislative oversight, Anne shares how small reforms can strengthen trust and improve service delivery across government.

Show Notes

OMB: Circular A-11

Circular A-129

GSA: New ServiceNow Deal

Events on GovNavigators' Radar

September 9-12, 2025  

• Billington Cybersecurity Summit 

September 11, 2025 

• RSM’s Quarterly Government Services Webinar 

September 16-18, 2025  

• Partnership for Public Service’s GovHR Conference 

September 18, 2025  

• GovExec’s GAIN Conference 

September 17, 2025 

• ACT-IAC's Digital Transformation Summit 

September 24-25, 2025 

• AGA’s Internal Controls & Fraud Conference 

In this special Labor Day pop-up episode of the GovNavigators Show, Adam and Robert reflect on the importance of the labor movement, tease some big news for the Navigators family, and preview what’s ahead as Congress returns to town. With the fiscal year’s end approaching, expect debates over rescissions, reconciliation, the NDAA, and the President’s Management Agenda—plus the looming possibility of a government shutdown.

This week, the GovNavigators welcome Jason Miller, Executive Editor at Federal News Network, for a wide-ranging conversation on the state of federal acquisition and IT leadership. From the long-awaited FAR overhaul and GSA’s contracting shifts to the evolving role of the federal CIO, Jason unpacks what these changes mean for agencies, industry, and small businesses alike.

Show Notes

OMB: Improper Payments Memo

EO: Improving our Nation Through Better Design

Events on the GovNavigators' Radar

August 25, 2025: A Hole in One with ACT-IAC

September 16-18, 2025: Partnership for Public Service’s GovHR Conference 

September 18, 2025: GAIN 2025 (Marketing Conference)

This week on the GovNavigators Show, Adam and Robert sit down with George Guszcza, President and CEO of the National Institute of Building Sciences, along with Tom Scott and Paul Firth of Alvarez & Marsal, for a timely discussion on modernizing federal real estate. From shifting work patterns and aging infrastructure to public-private partnerships, our guests highlight the challenges and opportunities facing agencies today.

Show Notes
OPM Award Guidance
Jason Miller Op-Ed: DHS Contract Reviews
DOJ Guidance
New Grants Guidance 

Events on the GovNavigators' Radar
Celonis: Public Sector Process Intelligence Day (08/19/25)
Data Foundation: Virtual AI Forum: Data and Policy in the Age of AI (08/20/25)
ACT-IAC: A Hole in One (08/25/25)

This week on the GovNavigators Show, Robert and Adam meet with Darren Ash, former federal CIO of multiple agencies, most recently at the Department of the Interior. Ash shares wisdom gained over an expansive career in government, including how IT innovation can transform public service.

Show Notes

NEW EO: Improving Oversight of Federal Grantmaking

GSA: Adding Leading AI Software to Award Schedules

GAO: Ruling on DOT Impoundment

NIST: Updated Digital Identity Guidelines

FOR ADAM'S FELLOW EM-DASH LOVERS: Wisdom from Poe

Events on the GovNavigator’s Radar

August 19, 2025: Celonis’ Public Sector Process Intelligence Day 

August 20, 2025: Data Foundation’s AI Virtual Forum: Data & Policy in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (Nominate presenters by 7/31 here; register here.)  

Karen Lee, co-founder of FedsForward, joins the GovNavigators to talk about her journey through federal service, the challenges of transitioning in and out of government, and how her organization is building scalable tools to help civil servants navigate career change.

Show Notes

FedsFoward Website

The Data Foundation

FCC Rural Healthcare Program

Upcoming Events
August 5, 2025

• Data Foundation’s Evaluating for Efficiency: Lessons from GAO and IGs 

August 19, 2025

• Celonis’ Public Sector Process Intelligence Day

August 20, 2025

• Data Foundation’s AI Virtual Forum: Data & Policy in the Age of Artificial Intelligence  

This week, the GovNavigators sit down with Brian Friel, Co-Founder of BD-Squared, for a discussion on how federal procurement looks in the age of consolidation. An expert in procurement data, Friel offers great insight into how past efficiency efforts have led us to this administration's push to rid the federal government of duplicative and unnecessary contracts. 

Show Notes:

• Leadership shakeup at GSA
•  M-25-31 (OMB memo on procurement consolidation)
• America's AI Action Plan
• Three AI-related EOs released

Events on the GovNavigators' Radar

July 28-29th: AGA’s Professional Development Training 

July 30th: Rare HSGAC markup scheduled

August 5th: Data Foundation’s Evaluating for Efficiency: Lessons from GAO and IGs 

August 19th: Celonis’ Public Sector Process Intelligence Day 

August 20th: Data Foundation’s AI Virtual Forum: Data & Policy in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

This week on the GovNavigators Show, Nick Mastronardi, founder and CEO of Polco and a former Air Force economist, joins the show to talk about transforming local government with data. Nick shares his journey from national security to civic tech, explains how cities are using performance metrics to make better decisions, and reveals what 400 jurisdictions have taught him about trust, ROI, and the power of listening at scale.

Show Notes

• Government Finance Officers Association
• Bloomberg Cities Network