The Federal Drive with Terry Gerton

A new guide from the Open Contracting Partnership frames procurement as the key to effective AI adoption in government. It highlights how agencies can manage risk, cut through vendor hype, and foster collaboration between IT and acquisition teams. We’ll explore those insights with Kathrin Frauscher, Deputy Executive Director at the Open Contracting Partnership (OCP). See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Defense leaders warn that fragile supply chains and maintenance bottlenecks could undermine readiness. Advanced AI-powered world models can help integrate real-time logistics data, predict disruptions, and accelerate manufacturing agility. Here to explain what “smart logistics” means for the military and the defense industrial base is Jon Gerrity, CEO of Tagup Inc.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Pentagon’s plan to fix its decades-old material weaknesses, specifically its inability to reliably track government property in the possession of contractors, is failing. The Defense Department inspector general warns that if the services don’t implement a department-wide solution soon the Pentagon risks missing its goal of achieving a clean audit opinion by 2028. For more, Federal News Network’s Anastasia Obis spoke with Mark Thomas, DoD IG’s supervisory auditor.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A federal judge in San Francisco is temporarily blocking the State Department from finalizing hundreds of employee layoffs. Foreign Service employees were slated to be officially separated from the agency last week. But federal employee unions are making the case that State and several other agencies aren’t fully adhering to a provision in the shutdown-ending spending bill. That provision temporarily blocked the Trump administration from carrying out layoffs. Federal News Network’s Jory Heckman has more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Justice Department has directed all 93 U.S. attorneys to compile extensive data on enforcement mandates including immigration, political violence, and sanctuary jurisdictions. Bloomberg Law’s Ben Penn explains what triggered the move, what DOJ wants, and the implications for prosecutorial independence.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

With full funding restored and a quorum in place, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is moving fast to enforce Trump administration executive orders. Here to discuss what employers should expect, and how to prepare, is Debra Leder, Partner in Labor and Employment at Akerman.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Government Accountability Office reviewed the Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection’s reliance on soft-sided facilities amid surging apprehensions and billions in contract obligations. Here to explain what GAO found, why it matters for cost and oversight and what’s next for border infrastructure planning is Travis Masters, Director of Contracting and National Security Acquisitions at GAO.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton DOJ ordered a sweeping data collection from U.S. attorneys on Trump-era priorities days before ThanksgivingThe EEOC powers up for swift action with full funding, a quorum and new priorities With billions spent on temporary border facilities, GAO says DHS needs a better planSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Trump administration has just laid out its President’s Management Agenda. The PMA details the administration’s vision to drive changes in government for the next few years. But with many of President Trump’s goals already underway, the PMA’s priorities may look familiar. Here with more, Federal News Network’s Drew Friedman.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today on the Federal Drive with Terry Gerton Can our safety net programs survive stress and deliver more than short-term relief? GSA’s next-generation contract vehicle is expanding—and small businesses need to pay attention Jamie Morin helped shape defense strategy from inside the Pentagon. Now he’s being honored for his contributions to public serviceSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.