Opinion

The federal market is entering a new operating model

Artificial intelligence, commercial-first buying and demands for proof of returns on investment are rewriting the rules for contractors, writes GovExec CEO Tim Hartman.

How IT vendors should approach the federal post-quantum cryptography market

From inventory support to DARPA's $282M benchmarking initiative, here's where the opportunities are — and what to avoid, write immixGroup’s Joshua Iseler and Grier Egan.

Find opportunities — and win them.

The data accountability trap: Why federal AI success hinges on stewardship over software

Agencies won't unlock AI's potential until they treat their existing data as a strategic asset, not an administrative burden, writes Tyler Morris of Iron Mountain Government Solutions.

COMMENTARY: A year of OneGov: Over a billion in savings and still growing

COMMENTARY | The Trump administration's landmark initiative proved that consolidated, smart purchasing is not only good for government operations but also the bottom line.

FedRAMP and CMMC compliance deadlines are looming

Federal contractors have less than six months to get their cybersecurity houses in order — or risk losing access to government work, writes immixGroup’s Amanda Mull.

AI and CMMC: A double-edge sword for defense contractors

Here’s how to get ahead of the problem and turn AI into a compliance asset, writes AJ Yawn, governance, risk and compliance expert.

The GovCon uncertainty principle: Navigating the 2026 market collision

Commercial-first procurement mandates and 40% reduction in contracting officers create new survival requirements for government suppliers, writes marketing expert Mark Amtower.

AI finds the bugs. Humans still have to fix everything else.

The Mythos experiment is real and impressive. But the threat actors who actually breach organizations aren't waiting on it, writes A. Stryker of Fable Security.

Public offerings put GovCon in a new spotlight as SpaceX's listing looms

Think the recent run of initial public offerings over the past 16 months were big? Get ready for SpaceX to break all-time records, and its IPO is one all of GovCon should care about, even if your company does not launch anything at all.

Why your program managers are winning deliverables but losing recompetes

Execution excellence can become the enemy of on-contract growth, writes business development expert Nic Coppings.

Budget pressure is simplifying federal procurement, and separating winners from losers

LPTA, HTRO and controlled competition are rewriting the rules of federal contracting, writes Katie Helwig, president of Mild Red LLC.

The war against fraud should be a war for tech modernization

COMMENTARY | Combating fraud is a noble exercise, but combating longstanding systemic barriers to innovation and performance is often harder.

New cyber strategy shifts attention to cloud and supply chain security

The strategy's six pillars include shaping adversary behavior and securing critical infrastructure through enhanced supply chain requirements, writes Gina Scinta, deputy chief technology officer of Thales Trusted Cyber Technologies.

How 20 airports are avoiding spring break security lines

Jim Carroll, CEO of the Professional Services Council, highlights the Transportation Security Agency's Screening Partnership Program as a model for future collaboration between government and industry.

Stop trying to prevent every cyberattack. Start planning to survive one.

Iran-linked intrusions targeting defense software suppliers are a wake-up call for agencies and contractors, writes Gary Barlet, public sector CTO at Illumio.

The hidden infrastructure challenge of the Genesis Mission

COMMENTARY | AI ambition without infrastructure alignment is just aspiration.

Army blacks out large portions of $50 billion strategy

The MAPS vehicle consolidates two major Army contracts for IT and professional services, but much of the strategy remains a mystery because of heavy redactions.