When the Shutdown Ends: The Chaos and Comeback Inside Federal Agencies

Former FBI Chief Information Officer and current Executive Vice President for Public Sector at ITI, Gordon Bitko, joins Francis to unpack what agency leaders and contractors should expect when the doors open again. Bitko explains how months of uncertainty disrupt technology rollouts, contract execution, and long-term modernization efforts, especially as critical initiatives like the FAR rewriteand AI implementation lose valuable momentum.

You'll learn how the shutdown’s ripple effects extend beyond paused projects. Many agencies will find themselves facing a changed workforce — missing contracting officers, retired experts, and vacant leadership roles — making coordination and communication even more essential. Bitko emphasizes that the first major challenge will be simply locating and realigning the work left behind. Some projects continued under funded contracts, others halted entirely, leaving agencies struggling to sync progress across departments.

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