This week, the GovNavigators welcome Allison Brigati, former Deputy Administrator of the General Services Administration, and Daniel Heckman, CEO of MSI Consulting, to share lessons learned from the first Trump administration’s push for government efficiency. They discuss overcoming resistance to change, and harnessing automation and AI to modernize government functions. Additionally, they reflect on how these strategies could shape current reform efforts as we enter Trump’s second term.

Show Notes
President's Management Agenda: Trump Administration(2018), Cap Goal 6 Pg. 32

Events on the GovNavigators' Radar
March 24: FedRAMP 2025 Discussion with Pete Waterman 

March 26-28: Coleridge Initiative's Annual Convening

March 28: NAPA’s Standing Panel on Executive Organization and Management

Ed Amorosi, partner at Haynes Boone, joins the GovNavigators this week to discuss the legal battles over executive orders, personnel dismissals, and contract cancellations. He unpacks the jurisdictional disputes complicating these cases, their broader implications, and the upcoming court decisions that could set major precedents—including long-awaited clarity on the Impoundment Act.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Show Notes
Executive Order 14222: Federal agencies review all federal contracts & grants

Executive Order 14151: Eliminating DEI Programs

NIH: Indirect Cost Rates: Supplemental guidance 

"Well-nigh irrefragable proof:" The high standard for showing bad faith by a government official in terminating a contract for convenience

Events on the GovNavigators' Radar
March 19: ACT-IAC's Emerging Tech Demo Day
March 20: AWS’ Federal Forum 

This week, the GovNavigators welcome Nikki Clowers, Managing Director of the Office of Congressional Relations at GAO, to explore the vital role GAO plays in supporting oversight on Capitol Hill. She breaks down the GAO High Risk List—why it matters, how it guides government reform, and what it reveals about agencies in need of transformation. 

Show Notes
GAO: High-Risk Report
Trump's Joint Address to Congress: Key Highlights

Events on the GovNavigators' Radar

March 11: The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Hearing: Moving from Recovery to Prevention of Improper Payments and Fraud 

March 13: FedScoop’s Federal Forum 

March 12: ACT-IAC's Federal Tech Market Update

March 19: ACT-IAC's Emerging Tech Demo Day

From Silicon Valley to just north of Capitol Hill, Betsy Beaumon joins the GovNavigators Show to share how she brought tech-driven transformation to the Social Security Administration. She reflects on her personal connection to SSA’s mission, the creation of the Office of Transformation, and the major strides made in improving security, operations, and customer experience.

Show Notes
GAO: High-Risk Report
DOGE EO: Implementing the President's "Department of Government Efficiency" Cost Efficiency Initiative 

Events on the GovNavigators' Radar
March 4: The President addresses a Joint Session of Congress at 9:00 p.m. ET
March 12: ACT-IAC's Federal Tech Market Update
March 19: ACT-IAC's Emerging Tech Demo Day

This week, The GovNavigators welcomes one of our favorite guests, Kelly Morrison, Senior Vice President at HumanTouch. With a distinguished 16-year tenure in the federal government she shares insights from her federal service and explores how data management and modernization can drive efficiency within DOGE's mission. 

Show Notes
Presidential Actions:  

• Radical Transparency about Wasteful Spending 

• Ensuring Accountability for all Agencies 

• Commencing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy 

• Ensuring Lawful Governance-DOGE Initiative 

OPM Memos: 

• Amendment to Temporary Transitional Senior Executive Service Appointment Authorities 

Events on the GovNavigators' Radar
February 25: House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Hearing on GAO’s High-Risk List. 

March 12 : ACT-IAC's Federal Tech Market Update 

March 19: ACT-IAC's Emerging Tech Demo Day

The GovNavigators would like to take a moment to honor Presidents Day as we prepare for another busy week. The DOGE mania is in full swing, and Congress is scheduled to hear a budget resolution on the House floor following the Presidents' Day recess.

As the new administration takes shape, C-SPAN's Director of Communications, Howard Mortman, joins the GovNavigators to share insights on the network's coverage, from confirmation hearings to shifts between administrations and what's on the network's horizon.

Show Notes
Trump Administration Actions: Deferred Resignation Program Blocked by Federal Judge
Find Federal Expenditures: USASpending.gov

Events on the GovNavigators' Radar
February 13: Shared Services Leadership Coalition’s Forum on its Transformation Proposal. RSVP by emailing Info@sharedservicesnow.org or registering here.   February 19-20: AGA’s National Leadership Training  
February 20: PSC’s Federal Law Enforcement Conference 

As the Bloomberg Center for Government Excellence marks its 10th anniversary, Executive Director Amy Edwards Holmes joins the GovNavigators show to reflect on GovEx’s impact and unveil her next steps. She discusses the center’s strides in modernizing data for real-world change and shares her insights on the future of AI in government.

Show Notes
OMB Memo: Federal Financial Assistance Pause Rescinded
OPM Memo: Federal Administrative Leave 
2025 Fed 100: List Announced

Events on the GovNavigators' Radar
February 2: PSC’s Annual Leadership Summit  
February 4-6: Shared Services Leadership Coalition’s Event: Federal Shared Services - Leveraging a Best Practice to Improve Government 
February 19: ACT-IAC's Digital Transformation Summit
February 19-20: AGA’s National Leadership Training  
February 20: PSC’s Federal Law Enforcement Conference 

As the new administration takes control, government efficiency takes center stage. Congressman Pete Sessions, Chair of the DOGE Caucus, joins the GovNavigators to discuss the role of the DOGE Caucus, his vision for government modernization, and his efforts to reduce waste, fraud, and abuse in government.

Show Notes
Trump Administration's First Week: Presidential Actions
Congressional Testimony: Examining a Path Forward to Assess Agencies’ Efforts to Prevent Improper Payments & Fraud
Inauguration Recap: Five Key Moments

Events on the GovNavigators' Radar
January 30: Growth Officers Association’s Navigating Federal Procurement Event
February 2: PSC’s Annual Leadership Summit  
February 4-6: Shared Services Leadership Coalition’s Event: Federal Shared Services - Leveraging a Best Practice to Improve Government 
February 19: ACT-IAC's Digital Transformation Summit
February 19-20: AGA’s National Leadership Training  
February 20: PSC’s Federal Law Enforcement Conference 

Loren DeJonge Schulman, Associate Director of the Office of Performance and Personnel Management within the Office of Management and Budget, joins the GovNavigator show to reflect on her experiences in the federal government and celebrate her team's achievements. In her discussion with Adam and Robert, Loren shares her favorite memories from OMB, what she is most proud of, and what she would pursue if she had more time. Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day!

Events on the GovNavigators' Radar
January 20: Inauguration of the 47th President of the United States 
January 23: Data Foundation’s Live Virtual event: Understanding OMB’s new “Open by Default” Data Management Guidance  
February 2: PSC’s Annual Leadership Summit  
February 19: ACT-IAC's Digital Transformation Summit
February 19-20: AGA’s National Leadership Training  
February 20: PSC’s Federal Law Enforcement Conference 

With January 20 approaching, Federal News Network Executive Editor Jason Miller joins the show to discuss DOGE and brings some much needed reality to the reported trillion-dollar cuts to the federal budget. He also shares his insights on the upcoming presidential transition and shares an update on the current efforts of the agency landing teams.

Show Notes
Trump Administration Announcement: 100 Executive Orders
DOGE Update: $2 Trillion is Best Case Scenario
President Jimmy Carter Funeral Service: Memorable moments

Events on the GovNavigators' Radar
January 15: ACT-IAC's Winter Membership Meeting
February 2: PSC’s Annual Leadership Summit 
February 19: ACT-IAC's Digital Transformation Summit
February 19-20:AGA’s National Leadership Training 
February 20: PSC’s Federal Law Enforcement Conference 

Season 3 kicked off with Charles Cooper, Founder and Managing Partner of the Brumidi Group, celebrating the new year with Robert and Adam by crafting significant predictions for 2025. His expert insights on the infamous Department of Government Efficiency and the future of Congress under the Trump Administration are sure to pique your interest. Happy New Year!

Show Notes
Congressional Updates: Speaker Johnson Re-elected
Biden Message: Message to the Congress on Death of James Earl Carter, Jr.

Events on the GovNavigators' Radar
January 7-9: Events surrounding the funeral of President Jimmy Carter.
January 15: ACT-IAC's Winter Membership Meeting

Robert and Adam wrap up the year with a look back at the season’s podcast highlights, a dive into DOGE mania, and insights into what’s ahead for next year. Wishing you happy holidays!

Show NotesGAO : Fraud Risk Management Report
Biden EO: Executive Order on the safe, secure, and trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence    
FedRAMP: Securing Cloud Services for the federal Government Evaluations

Events on the GovNavigators' RadarATARC's Public Sector Summit (December 18th) Register
Meritalk’s TechTonic celebration of FITARA’s A’s (December 19th) Register

#FOGN Ann Dunkin joins the show shortly before departing the federal government after her second tour of duty running the IT shop of a major federal agency. Ann shares her reflections on the good, the bad, and the ugly of working in federal IT, the importance of collaboration, and some of the things she's learned along the way.

Show Notes
Axios: Vivek Ramaswamy: Firing federal workers will be good for them
Biden-Harris PMA Celebration
Evaluations.gov: Launching the New Evidence Project Portal! 

Events on the GovNavigators' Radar
Trump and GovCon: Preparing for 2025 and Beyond (Use code GovExecVIP100 for a registration discount courtesy of the GovNavigators)

The Lacey Lewis #Era has begun at GovNavigators. Our first employee joins the show to talk about her background and Texas roots, interest in public policy, and spills the tea about her internship at OMB. Don't miss this one!   

Show Notes
WashPost: ‘DOGE’ tweets illustrate an almost impossible budget-cutting agenda
OMB Releases Annual Data Showing Lowest Government-wide Improper Payment Rate Since 2014
O'Malley: SSA’s 2024 progress refutes government doubters

Events on the GovNavigators' Radar
ACT-IAC’s Fighting Fraud in Government (Virtual)
**GovExec: Trump and GovCon: Prepping for 2025 and Beyond (sign up for the GovNavigators weekly policy updates for an exclusive discount code for this event)

With the transition to the incoming Trump administration well under way (and somewhat behind schedule), Jim Cook, Strategic Engagement Executive and Chair of the Innovation Institute at ACT-IAC and Troy Schneider, Principal at TKS Strategies join the show to talk about the deep dive they are helping to lead at ACT-IAC on the presidential transition.

Show Notes

• OMB (OIRA) Memo: Supporting Usability Testing Through Paperwork Reduction Act Flexibilities 

• Washington Post: Supreme Court to examine power of Congress to delegate authority

• Wikipedia: List of Announced Political Appointments by President-elect Trump

Events on the GovNavigators's Radar
GovExec Outlook Event: Trump & GovCon: Prepping for 2025 and Beyond (December 16) 

The Program Integrity Alliance is a new nonprofit dedicated to strengthen integrity and data-driven fraud prevention in the U.S. for a more trustworthy, effective, and efficient government. Linda Miller and Gavin Ugale, co-founders of the PIA join the show to talk about why they created the "do-tank" and some of the big plans they have to help strengthen fraud prevention in government.

Show Notes

• CBS News: What to know about Trump's Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy

• Douglas Holz-Eakin in The Hill: Musk’s bold plans for ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ face roadblocks

• George Will in the Washington Post: The World's Richest Person is about to Receive a Free Public Education

• Contact Linda Miller (Linda.Miller@programintegrity.org) or Gavin Egale (Gavin.Ugale@programintegrity.org).   

Events on the GovNavigators' Radar
Data Foundation CDO Survey Report Release (11/19)
PSC Vision Federal Market Forecast Conference (11/19)
CDO Symposium (11/21)

In this special pop-up episode of the GovNavigators Show, Robert and Adam recap an historic week with the release of an updated OMB Circular A-50 (and also the election again of Donald Trump).

But most important of all, this episode honors the commitment and sacrifice of our country's veterans and their families. Please make sure to thank a veteran the next chance you get and get involved to help the more than 18 million living veterans with the support they need.

Show Notes
OMB Circular A-50
Ways to Help Veterans

Events on the GovNavigators's Radar
ACT-IAC CX Summit
NAPA Fall Meeting

Amira Boland, Chief of Staff at the New Practice Lab, and former OMB lead for Customer Experience joins the GovNavigators Show to reflect on her time in government, her tips for re-architecting a bureaucracy (don't be afraid of the source document; taking risks is ok!), and her Sammies win!

Show Notes
Supreme Court ignites wave of lawsuits against federal regulations
Learn about the Service to America Medals 2024 Management Excellence Medal Winner: Amira Boland 

Events on GovNavigators's Radar
AGA's Technology Transformation Summit (November 6, 2024)

Terry Gerton, President and CEO of the National Academy of Public Administration joins the GovNavigators Show to share groundbreaking research commissioned by NAPA about how to best communicate the value, results, and role of government to everyday Americans.

Show Notes
Open Government Federal Advisory Committee Holds First Public Meeting
GSA Release: Technology Modernization Fund announces investments upgrading customer experiences in housing and Social Security services
Council on Federal Financial Assistance

Events on GovNavigators' Radar
Data Foundation GovDATAx: Data to Results: Mapping the Future of Effective Government (October 30)
NAPA Fall Meeting (November 13-15)