The GovNavigators Show

Adam

Welcome, everyone, to the The GovNavigators Show - a government focused show that won’t make you seasick. We hope to enlighten and enliven your week with news and insightful, entertaining guests all on the topic of government management.Check out more at www.govnavigators.com 

  1. 6d ago

    Back in the Saddle at GSA: Larry Allen on the FAR Overhaul, AI in Acquisition, and What's Coming Next

    This week on The GovNavigators Show, Robert and Adam welcome Larry Allen, Associate Administrator for GSA's Office of Government-wide Policy, now 15 months into the role. Larry brings a big update on the historic FAR overhaul, with the first four chapters expected to be out for public comment within the next two weeks. He describes the enthusiastic engagement from the acquisition workforce and shares what it will really take to relieve the burden on contracting professionals as agencies rebuild after staffing losses. The show digs into AI's growing role in acquisition, the administration's ambitious executive order agenda, and how GSA has maintained its momentum through the transition to a permanent administrator. Larry also covers the complete overhaul of the Federal Property Management Regulations, a revamp of the Federal Travel Regulations, and drops some breaking per diem news for FY27.  Show Notes:  GSA Office of Government-wide Policy: OGP Overview  GAO: The Nation's Fiscal Health Report  Social Security Trustees: 2026 Annual Report Summary  FISA Section 702: U.S. Intelligence FISA Section 202 Overview  Financial Data Transparency Act: Final Rule Details  FAR Overhaul: RFO  DEI EO 2025: Ending Radical And Wasteful Government DEI Programs And Preferencing  DEI EO 2026: Addressing DEI Discrimination by Federal Contractors   Firm-Fixed Price Contracting EO: Promoting Efficiency, Accountability, and Performance in Federal Contracting   GSA: Edward C. Forst Sworn in as GSA Administrator  GSA: Federal Managment Regulation  GSA: Federal Travel Regulation  EO on Gold Standard Science: Restoring Gold Standard Science  House Armed Services Committee: FY27 NDAA House Version  What's on the GovNavigators' Radar?  June 16th:  VeeamOn Tour DC 2026 at Convene, Washington DC (Adam moderating) Defense One Tech Summit, Arlington, Virginia June 22nd:  National Academy of Public Administration Celebrating the American Public Servant Gala, Library of Congress (GovNavigators sponsor) June 23rd:  ACT-IAC Insights to Action for Procurement Market Dynamics (Robert co-moderating) June 24th:  Celonis Process Intelligence Day GovExec SAP NOW 250

    25 min

  2. Jun 8

    As Close as We Can Get to Breaking News? SIN Launch at Grant QSMO

    This week on the GovNavigators Show, Robert and Adam are joined by Andrea Sampanis, Director of the Grants Quality Service Management Office (Grants QSMO) at HHS, and Stacie Massey, Deputy Director for Grants and Financial Reporting at the Office of Budget and Management for the state of Ohio. Andrea takes us on a deep dive into the new SIN launch for grants management services, walking us through what the new Special Item Number (SIN 518210GM) means for federal agencies and how cooperative purchasing opens it up to state, local, and tribal governments as well. Stacie brings the recipient side of the equation, sharing what it's actually like to manage $11 billion in grants across a patchwork of systems and agencies, and why this SIN changes the game. They also dig into the shift from compliance-heavy grants management to outcomes-focused oversight, the proposed Uniform Grants Regulation and what it means for the field, and why data standards are the foundation everything else is built on. Show Notes: Federal News Network: Grants QSMO Shifting Approach to Meeting Market DemandsOMB: Proposed Uniform Grants Regulation (UGR) — Comments Due July 13, 2026OPM: Policy Career (formerly Schedule F)Policy/Career Executive Order: Implementing Schedule Policy/Career in the Excepted ServiceAI Executive Order: Promoting Advanced Artificial Intelligence Innovation and SecurityWhat's on the GovNavigator's Radar? June 10–11th: Government Service Delivery 2026 ConferenceJune 11th: GovExec 35th Annual Government Procurement ConferenceJuly 21–23rd: AGA Professional Development Training (PDT)

    27 min

  3. Jun 1

    Welcome Back, Oracle! Charles Cooper Covers the Midterm Countdown and Congressional Chaos

    This week on The GovNavigators Show, Robert and Adam welcome back Charles Cooper, Managing Director at Brumidi Group and GovNavigators' resident oracle of all things Capitol Hill. With six months until the midterms and a staggering legislative to-do list full of reconciliation, the farm bill, the surface transportation bill, 12 appropriations bills, the NDAA, FISA, and more, Charles breaks down why Congress is already fracturing along election-year fault lines. He explains why the White House and rank-and-file members are increasingly operating on different frequencies, makes his signature bold prediction on a government shutdown, and offers a candid look at what savvy clients are doing right now to position themselves for the lame duck and beyond. He also weighs in on the bipartisan fraud prevention push out of House Oversight and whether momentum can survive the politics. As always, the oracle has spoken. Show Notes: House Oversight Committee: Markup Sweeping Legislation to Stop Fraud in Federal Programs OPM: Draft Rule Eliminating Time-in-Grade Requirement OMB: Cybersecurity Incident Logging Update NDAA: House Armed Services Committee Markup What's on the GovNavigator's Radar? June 3rd:  House Oversight Committee Hearing on Medicaid Fraud June 5th:  Data Foundation 2026 Data Summit June 10-11th: Government Service Delivery 2026 Conference June 11th: GovExec 35th Annual Government Procurement Conference June 16th: VeeamOn Tour DC 2026

    30 min

  4. May 25

    Pop-up Episode: Remembering our Heroes on Memorial Day

    In this Memorial Day pop-up episode of the GovNavigators Show, Robert and Adam break down a week of Washington false starts and delayed announcements, namely the Senate’s stalled reconciliation push and the White House pulling the plug on a major AI EO signing at the last minute. They also spotlight a new HHS fraud oversight initiative aimed at tightening grant accountability using AI-powered audit review. Plus, a reminder of the real meaning behind Memorial Day as the hosts honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

    7 min

  5. May 18

    Robbie Holmes on AI, Identity, and What Government Gets Wrong About Technology

    This week on The GovNavigators Show, Robert and Adam are joined by Robbie Holmes, founder and CEO of Holmes Consulting Group and member of the GovNavigators Network, for a wide-ranging and deeply personal conversation on technology, government modernization, and what it really takes to build systems that serve people. Robbie traces a remarkable career arc, from the New York City welfare system and Sony Music to Zagat Survey, Google, USDS, and local government, and draws from each stop to make the case for pragmatic, constituent-centered technology. He reflects on his evolution from AI skeptic to cautious optimist, explains why so many well-intentioned government systems have created more friction than they've solved, and makes a compelling argument for why identity infrastructure and unified case management should be the government's next big bets.  Show Notes: CMS: Nationwide Moratorium on Hospice and Home Health Agency EnrollmentGAO: 2026 Annual Report on Fragmentation, Overlap, and DuplicationHouse Oversight Committee: Markup on Legislation to Stop Fraud in Federal ProgramsFederal News Network: House Committee Advances 9 Anti-Fraud BillsNPR: Senate Votes to Kickstart Reconciliation to Fund ICE and CBPEvents on the GovNavigators' Radar: May 20th: GovCIO Federal IT Efficiency Summit at Carahsoft May 21st: PSC FedHealth Conference

    32 min

  6. May 11

    Inside America’s Global Back Office: How the State Department Keeps Government Running Overseas

    This week on the GovNavigators Show, Adam and Robert sit down with Daniel Gaush, Acting Director of the International Cooperative Administrative Support Services Service Center at the U.S. Department of State, for a fascinating look at one of the federal government’s largest and least understood shared services operations. Daniel explains how the ICASS system coordinates administrative support for more than 300 federal entities across embassies and consulates worldwide, everything from HR and motor pools to security, facilities, and logistics. He shares stories from a 24-year career spanning Morocco, China, Afghanistan, and Washington, including negotiating trade agreements, touring a Chinese nuclear reactor, and managing support operations in wartime environments. The conversation explores the promise and pain points of shared services: balancing costs, managing interagency consensus, handling global crises, and adapting to major structural changes, such as the integration of USAID functions into the State Department. Daniel also reflects on the unique culture of the Foreign Service and offers advice for the next generation of Americans considering international public service careers. Show Notes: Final Report from The President’s Council to Assess the Federal Emergency Management AgencyWhat's on the GovNavigators' Radar? May 13: House Oversight & Government Reform Committee Hearing: DoW Financial Management: Examining Progress and New Audit Approaches May 14: House Oversight & Government Reform Hearing: Reducing America’s National Debt: Rooting Out Federal Waste, Fraud, and Overregulation May 14-15: ACT-IAC’s Emerging Technology & Innovation Summit

    26 min

  7. May 4

    Bots Writing RFPs? Josh Martin on the Future (and Risks) of AI in Procurement

    This week on the GovNavigators Show, Adam and Robert sit down with the GovNavigator Network's Josh Martin, former Chief Data Officer for the State of Indiana turned founder and AI practitioner, for a candid, highly practical conversation about what AI can (and can't!) do in government today. Josh shares how he’s building AI-powered tools to solve real-world problems, like instantly preparing for vendor meetings or streamlining procurement reviews, and explains why AI’s biggest value isn’t replacing people, but accelerating decision-making. He also offers a clear-eyed warning: agencies that over-automate without human oversight risk serious errors, hallucinations, and reputational damage. We dive into how governments can responsibly adopt AI, the importance of understanding data and prompting, and why “personal responsibility” is the missing ingredient in most AI strategies. Josh also reflects on his transition out of government, what he misses, and where he sees the biggest opportunities for innovation across the public sector. Show Notes: Partial DHS funding measure passedHouse Oversight advances nine anti-fraud billsDoW strikes new AI deal with major companiesNew EO pushing fixed-price contractingWhat's on the GovNavigators' Radar? May 2-4: Professional Services Council Annual ConferenceMay 5: AGA’s Performance Counts SummitMay 6: Service to America MedalsMay 14-15: ACT-IAC’s Emerging Technology & Innovation Summit

    23 min

  8. Apr 27

    Too Few Data Chiefs? Inside the Data Foundation and Deloitte's CDO Survey

    This week on the GovNavigators Show, hosts Adam and Robert sit down with Dr. Amanda Cash of the Data Foundation and Dr. Adita Karkera of Deloitte to unpack the latest Federal Chief Data Officer (CDO) Survey and what it reveals about the state of data, AI, and capacity across government. Drawing on six years of survey data, Amanda and Adita explain how the federal CDO role has evolved since the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act and why today’s environment may be the most challenging yet. With more than half of CDOs operating with five or fewer staff, agencies are being pushed to do more with less, even as expectations around AI, data governance, and transparency continue to rise. The conversation explores the growing overlap between Chief Data Officers and Chief AI Officers, the risks and opportunities of combining those roles, and how agencies can use AI to compensate for workforce gaps. They also highlight the critical role of the federal CDO Council in enabling collaboration and scaling best practices across government. Show Notes: Check out the CDO Survey hereCDO Survey webinar recordingWhat's on the GovNavigators' Radar: Apr 26 – 28: NASCIO’s mid year conferenceApr 30: Fed100 Evening of Honors

    25 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

Welcome, everyone, to the The GovNavigators Show - a government focused show that won’t make you seasick. We hope to enlighten and enliven your week with news and insightful, entertaining guests all on the topic of government management.Check out more at www.govnavigators.com 

Information

  • Creator
    Adam
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    169
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The GovNavigators Show
  • Show Website
    The GovNavigators Show

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