VA’s Appointment Scheduling Modernization Still Faces Major Gaps, GAO Finds
The GAO’s May 2025 report finds that the VA’s scheduling modernization efforts fall short of best practices in planning and requirements management, leaving veterans and schedulers to navigate fragmented, inefficient systems. Timely access to care remains at risk without critical improvements.
GAO Denies SOS International’s Protest Over Army Cyber Task Order Evaluation
GAO denies SOS International's protest over Army's cyber task order, affirming the reasonableness of the oral presentation evaluation and exclusion from award. The case underscores FAR 16.5’s streamlined process and importance of meeting solicitation thresholds.
Sharing Trustworthy AI Models Through Privacy-Enhancing Technologies: OECD’s Roadmap for Collaborative and Confidential AI
The OECD’s June 2025 AI Paper explores how privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs) support secure AI model sharing and co-creation. The report outlines use case archetypes, real-world applications, and policy strategies to ensure responsible AI innovation across sectors.
Scaling Peace in a World of Arms Races
This article explores why PeaceTech—the use of technology for conflict prevention and peacebuilding—must become the next major focus for innovation and investment, arguing that it holds multibillion-dollar potential and could reshape global security.
FAR Overhaul UPDATE: A Look at Key Changes to Parts 11, 18, 39, and 43
The Trump Administration’s Executive Order 14275 has launched a major rewrite of the FAR. This post highlights GSA’s class deviations to FAR Parts 11, 18, 39, and 43 under the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO), streamlining procurement with plain language, flexibility, and modernized standards.
GAO Denies and Dismisses AIX Tech Protest over DISA Task Order Award to DSG
GAO denies and dismisses AIX Tech’s protest over a DISA task order award to DSG, ruling allegations of improper evaluation and conflict of interest as speculative and unsupported. The decision reinforces key standards for bid protests and agency conflict of interest reviews.
Remote Work at a Crossroads: GAO Urges OPM to Reassess Guidance Amid Federal Return-to-Office Mandates
GAO’s June 2025 report on federal remote work reveals recruitment and retention gains across agencies—but warns that rescinded OPM guidance may hinder future workforce planning. With return-to-office mandates in place, GAO urges renewed analysis of remote work’s impact on performance and costs.
DoD Clears Path for CMMC Rollout with Regulatory Progress and Cost-Effective Certification Model
DoD is accelerating the rollout of CMMC by overcoming regulatory delays and piloting cost-effective certification models with MSPs and CSPs. With the second rule near finalization and a phased rollout planned, the cybersecurity initiative is gaining real momentum for the defense supply chain.
GAO Denies Protest in Air Force Intranet Support Award: Price Realism, Discussions, and Best Value All Upheld
GAO denies protest by SMS Data Products over Air Force award to Abacus Technology. The case upholds agency evaluations on price realism, discussions, and best-value determinations under FAR 52.222-46.
GAO’s Annual IT Assessment Warns DOD: Improve Cybersecurity Planning and Performance Reporting
GAO’s June 2025 IT assessment finds DOD needs stronger cybersecurity planning and performance tracking across its $10.9B IT portfolio. With cost overruns, missed metrics, and slow adoption of zero trust, the report underscores DOD’s urgent need for reform in software development and digital oversight.
Slowing the Pace of Innovation: GAO Calls on DOD to Reboot Weapon System Acquisition
GAO’s 2025 Weapon Systems Annual Assessment urges the DOD to overhaul its acquisition strategy. With nearly $2.4 trillion at stake, the report warns of increasing delays, cost overruns, and failure to implement leading practices. GAO recommends early integration of speed and innovation into new defense programs.
Improving Mental Health Screening at Military Separation: GAO Finds Gaps in Validation and Implementation
GAO's June 2025 report reveals gaps in the validation of mental health screening tools used during military separation. While VA has implemented a joint screening program, key tools for alcohol use, PTSD, and violence risk lack validation, putting service member care at risk.
Why FAR Reform Alone might not Fix Federal Acquisition
Lt. Col. Matthew J. Fleharty argues in The Nash & Cibinic Report that FAR reform alone cannot fix federal acquisition. True progress demands investment in people, not just policy. His piece challenges conventional reform logic and calls for a revolution in workforce education.
Army’s Long-Range Fires Modernization Falls Short Without Iterative Development Practices
GAO’s June 2025 report on Army modernization finds that inconsistent application of iterative development and digital engineering practices undermines efforts to field modern artillery and missile systems.
GAO Upholds USMC’s Corrective Action to Add Price Realism in Catalyst Solutions Protest
GAO denies Catalyst Solutions’ protest, affirming the USMC’s right to amend its solicitation to include a price realism evaluation during corrective action. The ruling highlights agency discretion in addressing procurement risks and ensuring fair competition.
the 2025 Set-Aside Rollback: Trump Administration’s Reduction of SDB Contracting Goal to 5%
In 2025, the Trump administration reversed the Biden-era 15% goal for Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) federal contracting, returning it to the statutory 5%. This post revisits the rollback, explores its legal foundation, and considers ongoing implications for contractors in today’s procurement environment.
How Federal Contractors Can Help Establish Commerciality of Their Products and Services
Federal contractors can streamline acquisition by helping federal agencies establish the commerciality of their products or services. Learn how to prepare persuasive evidence, conduct market research, and support the government’s Commercial Item Determination process in compliance with FAR Part 12.
Report Highlights Political and Procedural Complexities in U.S. Space Command Headquarters Decision
A May 2025 GAO report reveals how political discretion and analytical gaps shaped the final decision to keep U.S. Space Command's headquarters in Colorado Springs, despite an Air Force reevaluation favoring Huntsville, Alabama.
The Agentic State: Reimagining Government Through AI Agents
This blog post explores “The Agentic State” whitepaper by Luukas Ilves, which outlines how agentic AI will transform ten core functions of government. The report envisions a paradigm shift toward AI-driven public value, with implications for policy, leadership, and public services.
When Data Becomes Law: How Governments Use Information as a Regulatory Tool
This blog post explores the provocative thesis that data—how it is gathered, released, or suppressed—can serve as a powerful instrument of public policy. Drawing from Janet Freilich and W. Nicholson Price II’s forthcoming article Data as Policy, we examine the regulatory role of government-provided data in law, innovation, and society.