Michael J. Keegan

The traditional approach to defense acquisition has long been criticized for its complexity, rigidity, and slow pace. However, the rapid advancement of digital technology and AI has compelled the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to rethink its acquisition strategies. Bonnie Evangelista, acting chief digital and AI officer for acquisition with her extensive experience in federal contracting and acquisition, is working on accelerating tech procurement.

DHS launches new AI safety and security board. The board will be made up of 22 representatives from private sector, government and academia and will advise the DHS Secretary on risk mitigation for AI in critical infrastructure. 

Leadership is a complex and dynamic endeavor, requiring adaptability, resilience, and a forward-thinking mindset. This is especially true in today's fast-paced, disruptive world, where leaders must be prepared to embrace change and navigate uncertainty. Over the last year, I have had the opportunity to interview innovative thinkers on leadership, including, Eduardo Briceño, Jen Pahlka, and Roger Spitz, who were spotlighted on this week's The Business of Government Hour.

“Leadership is not a static trait—it is a dynamic state,” declares Hitendra Wadhwa in his article, Leading in the Flow of Work, which appears as part of the spotlight feature, "The Leadership Mindset", in the Harvard Business Review January-February 2024. He offers a critically important insight especially at a time when disruption and disorientation seem to be ever present and the need for effective leadership even more pressing.  

IRS seeks $104B for multi-year modernization fund maintain high level of customer service. The IRS is telling lawmakers that billions of dollars in multi-year modernization funds are helping the agency provide a level of customer service that taxpayers expect — and is asking for more funding to keep up with that demand.

Managing Strategically: A Thought Process for Federal Managers. Federal managers are expected to advance measurable progress against an increasing number of competing demands, but making sense of these demands can often be overwhelming. This paper by Donnie Matlock and Amy Squires from Mitre attempts to address challenges by outlining a thought process for federal managers to make strategic decisions.

Just before the start of 2024, the IBM Center released its latest book, Transforming the Business of Government: Insights on Resiliency, Innovation, and Performance, to mark its 25^th anniversary. We recognize that government leaders continue to face the unforgiving realities of disruption and uncertainty. They need, now more than ever, practical, actionable insights on how best to manage and lead through uncertain and disruptive periods.

OMB’s new guidance, RFI boost grant modernization efforts. The long-awaited and much-anticipated update to the basic management standards for the federal grants community is out. The Office of Management and Budget’s 2024 Revisions of the Uniform Grants Guidance aim to streamline, simplify and expand the overall reach of the $1.2 trillion in grants and cooperative assistance agencies pay out each year.  

Senate to take $100M back from TMF, $10M from USDS. Despite the efforts by industry and the Office of Management and Budget over the last six plus months to change the committee’s mind, Senate appropriators rescinded $100 million from the TMF for fiscal 2024.

Recently,  Paul Courtney, chief procurement officer at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security joined me on The Business of Government Hour to discuss the mission of his office, DHS' procurement and acquisition strategy, operational improvements, efforts leveraging emerging technologies, and his insights on leadership. The following is an edited excerpt highlighting key topics we discussed.