Getting on the same page is a significant challenge in Federal government contracting. Experts from government and industry - numbering from a few to hundreds and representing every technical, management, contractual, program, legal, human resource and budget aspect of a problem and solution - must get on the same page, and stay there, to succeed. What's more, those same experts strive, together, to constantly innovate the acquisition process. My guest this week, Dr. Tim Cooke, CEO and owner at ASI Government, is passionate about this mission.

ASI Government has a reputation for helping the Federal government innovate the acquisition process. Tim and ASI have decades of experience, insights and lessons about exactly how the enormous enterprise which is the Federal government has improved its acquisition practices over time. And about how it continues innovating in the face of relentless technological change which impacts acquisition in ways no one can predict.

Tim and I recorded our discussion in two parts and here are some of my ahh-ha! moments from Part 1:

6:38 - Busting myths to change behaviors and, eventually, a mindset.

8:33 - The "mindset" adoption curve, innovators, and early adopters.

10:43 - The DHS Procurement Innovation Lab: The power of Federal officials showing Federal officials

15:58 and on - Working across government silos within an acquisition team.

24:11 - The forcing function for change: Acquisitions take too long.

25:29 - The secret to completing acquisitions in less time: Talk to one another.