Episode 124: Anne Meeker on Making Congress Work Better
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
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
Episode 123: Pop-up Episode: Honoring the Labor Movement
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.
Episode 122: Jason Miller on the Future of Federal Procurement
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
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)
Episode 121: Unlocking Federal Real Estate: Efficiency, Partnerships, and the Path Ahead
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 NotesOPM Award Guidance
Jason Miller Op-Ed: DHS Contract Reviews
DOJ Guidance
New Grants Guidance
Events on the GovNavigators' RadarCelonis: 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)
Episode 120: Remember the Mission: Darren Ash Reflects on His Career in Public Service
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.)
Episode 119: Empowering Public Servants with Karen Lee
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
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
Episode 118: Understanding Federal Procurement Consolidation with Brian Friel
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
Episode 117: The Performance Playbook with Nick Mastronardi
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
Events on the GovNavigators' Radar
July 23, 2025: AI Acquisition Forum
July 28-29, 2025: AGA’s Professional Development Training
August 19, 2025: Celonis’ Public Sector Process Intelligence Day
Episode 116: The Past, Present, and Future of FEMA with Eric Leckey
This week on the GovNavigators Show, Adam and Robert dive in with Eric Leckey, former Associate Administrator for Mission Support at FEMA, about the state of emergency response management. With hurricane season upon us and the administration considering big changes to the agency, Eric reveals how FEMA has adapted overtime, and offers valuable insight into what may be on the agency's horizon.
Show Notes
Events on the GovNavigators' Radar
July 17th, 2025: GovExec Government Efficiency Summit
July 17th, 2025: Shared Services Leadership Coalition Webinar
Episode 115: From OMB to IRS: Danny Werfel on Making Reform Stick
This week on the GovNavigators Show, former IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel joins us to unpack the Trump administration’s rapid-fire push to modernize the IRS—and what gets lost when speed outruns strategy. Drawing on decades of federal service, including senior roles at OMB and DOJ, Danny reflects on his team’s detailed IRS transformation plan, contrasts it with today’s approach, and raises big questions about transparency, workforce cuts, and cybersecurity risks. Plus, a bonus deep dive into the future of financial reporting under M-25-30, the limits of paperwork-based oversight, and why civics literacy might be the government’s most underrated reform tool.
Show Notes
OMB: M-25-30
IRS: IRS FY25 Budget Justification
Episode 114: Pop-up Episode: Celebrating Independence Day!
The GovNavigators prepare for Independence Day weekend in this special pop-up episode of the GovNavigators Show. Unfortunately, leadership in Congress likely won't be enjoying the fireworks, as the administration insists everyone stay in town until the "Big, Beautiful Bill" is on the President's desk. Meanwhile, Russ Vought calls for a shakeup in federal auditing, and HUD gets a new headquarters.
Episode 113: Karen Kerrigan on Small Business at a Crossroads
This week on the GovNavigators Show, Karen Kerrigan, head of the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council, shares insights from 30 years at the forefront of small business advocacy. From tax uncertainty and regulatory challenges to the promise of technology and smarter federal procurement, Karen breaks down what small businesses need now—and what policymakers can do to help.
Show Notes
SBE: Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council
SBA: Small Business Administration
CTA: Corporate Transparency Act
Events on the GovNavigator’s Radar
June 25th, 2025: ACT-IAC's Data & Analytics Forum
Episode 112: The Impoundment Saga featuring Doug Criscitello
This week on the GovNavigators Show, Doug Criscitello, Program Integrity Fellow at Arnold Ventures, returns to unpack the resurgence of impoundment in the federal budget discourse. Doug sheds light on the Impoundment Control Act’s history and relevance, explains why the GAO is investigating 39 potential violations, and breaks down the tension between Executive authority and the Legislature’s power of the purse. From rescission packages to apportionments and Anti-Deficiency Act risks, Doug offers a clear-eyed take on what lies ahead for agencies and appropriators as fiscal pressures mount.
Show Notes
Arnold Ventures: Doug’s Webinar on ImpoundmentICA: Impoundment Control Act of 1974
GAO: Ruling on DOT Impoundment
Rescission Package Passed by the House
Dominic Pino’s Op-Ed in the Washington Post
ADA: The Antideficiency Act of 1870
Events on the GovNavigator’s Radar
June 17th, 2025: Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals
June 25th, 2025: ACT-IAC's Data & Analytics Forum
Episode 111: Soraya Correa on Rethinking Federal Procurement
This week on the GovNavigators Show, Soraya Correa, President and CEO of National Industries for the Blind and a longtime leader in federal acquisition, joins the show to reflect on her career and what's next for procurement reform. Soraya shares stories from her time building the Procurement Innovation Lab at DHS, offers a no-nonsense take on the FAR overhaul, and explains why empowering contracting officers—and bridging the gap between government and industry—matters more than ever.
Show Notes
JWOD: Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act
PIL: Procurement Innovation Lab
EO: Restoring Common Sense to Federal Procurement
Events on the GovNavigators' Radar
June 10, 2025: Arnold Ventures event on Impoundment
June 11, 2025: House Oversight and Government Reform Hearing on Reforming Defense Procurement
June 25, 2025: ACT-IAC's Data & Analytics Forum
Episode 110: The Oracle Returns: Charles Cooper on What’s Next
This week on the GovNavigators Show, Charles Cooper, Managing Partner and Founder of the Brumidi Group, returns to offer his no-nonsense forecast for what’s next on Capitol Hill. From budget reconciliation drama and appropriations gridlock to tariff tensions and the 2026 election, Charles breaks down the policy, politics, and personalities shaping the months ahead—and why even a missed vote could change everything.
Show Notes
OMB: Technical Supplement to the 2026 Budget
GAO: DOT and the Impoundment Act
Events on the GovNavigators' Radar
June 3, 2025:
Forum Global’s USA AI Summit
Carahsoft’s Customer Experience and Engagement Summit
June 5, 2025: Committee on oversight AI in Government Hearing
June 6, 2025: ACT-IAC's Health Innovation Summit
June 25, 2025: ACT-IAC's Data & Analytics Forum
Episode 109: Pop-Up Episode: Honoring Memorial Day!
The GovNavigators take a moment to honor Memorial Day and reflect on the sacrifices made in service to our country. With Congress narrowly advancing a reconciliation package before the long weekend, Robert and Adam also remember longtime good government champion Gerry Connolly.
Episode 108: Looking Under the Hood: Joshua Seawell and the Abundance Agenda
This week on the GovNavigators Show, Joshua Seawell, Head of Policy at the Inclusive Abundance Initiative, joins to break down the thinking behind the Abundance Agenda. Joshua shares how this emerging framework blends high-return public investment with regulatory reform to tackle challenges in housing, energy, AI, and government modernization.
Show Notes
GAO: 2025 Annual Report
Book: Abundance, by Ezra Klein & Derek Thompson
EPRA: Energy Permitting Reform Act
Events on the GovNavigators' Radar
May 21, 2025: GovNavigators Webinar with National Journal
May 22, 2025: PSC's FedHealth Conference
Episode 107: Reimagining Evaluation: A New Vision with Justin Baer
This week on the GovNavigators Show, Justin Baer, Senior Vice President at Fors Marsh, returns to share his perspective on the future of federal evaluation. Drawing from his recent article, Justin outlines why traditional approaches to evidence building are falling short—and what needs to change.
Show Notes
GovExec: The Baer Method: A Roadmap for Agile Evidence Building
Events on the GovNavigators' Radar
May 13: AGA's Performance Counts Summit
May 22: PSC's FedHealth Conference
Episode 106: Rethinking Government with David Walker
This week on the GovNavigators Show, former Comptroller General David M. Walker joins to discuss his tenure leading the Government Accountability Office and his mission to drive lasting reform across the federal government. He reflects on how he transformed GAO into a more efficient, strategically focused agency and makes the case for why the rest of government must follow suit.
Show Notes
GSA: OneGov Strategy for IT
Events on the GovNavigators' Radar
May 4-6: ACT-IAC's Emerging Technology & Innovation Conference
May 5-9: Public Service Recognition Week
May 7: AABPA Panel on Budget and Performance
May 13: AGA’s Performance Counts Summit
Episode 105: Navigating Federal Real Estate with Norm Dong
This week on the GovNavigators Show, Norm Dong, Partner at FD Stonewater, joins to share insights from his distinguished career managing the federal government’s vast real estate portfolio. Reflecting on his tenure in public service, he discusses the complexities of property disposal, the impact of return-to-office policies on government facilities, and how agencies are adapting their real estate strategies for the future.
Show Notes
GSA: Top Ten Contractor Update
Executive Order: Strengthening Probationary Periods in the Federal Service
Events on the GovNavigators' Radar
April 29: UiPath's Ushering in the Era of Efficiency
May 4-6: ACT-IAC's Emerging Technology and Innovation Conference
May 13: AGA's Performance Counts Summit