Introduction
Welcome to this edition of Ever to Conquer, where we spotlight the transformative initiatives reshaping America's public sector technology landscape. As we advance through August 2025, federal and SLED agencies are accelerating AI adoption, fortifying cybersecurity defenses, and modernizing procurement processes amid new policy directives and technological breakthroughs. This edition highlights critical developments from the past week, including key announcements on AI action plans, cybersecurity executive orders, and cloud modernization strategies, delivering urgent, high-impact stories to drive collaboration and action.
This edition highlights:
AI & Government Innovation: Trump's AI Action Plan and GSA's USAi launch propel federal AI strategies.
Cybersecurity: New EO strengthens defenses while agencies tackle rising threats.
Procurement & Partnerships: AI policy updates reshape federal acquisition processes.
Data Privacy & Protection: State AI laws and midyear regulatory enforcement demand compliance focus.
Government IT Modernization: Cloud-driven transformation and secure AI-ready playbooks guide progress.
AI and Government Innovation
Trump's AI Action Plan Accelerates Federal Innovation Through Deregulation
The White House released "Winning the Race: America's AI Action Plan" on July 23, 2025, outlining over 90 policy actions to boost U.S. AI leadership via deregulation, infrastructure investment, and international diplomacy. The plan emphasizes accelerating AI innovation, building infrastructure, and leading global diplomacy, with principles centered on American workers and ideological neutrality.
Why It Matters: This comprehensive plan shifts federal AI policy toward deregulation, potentially unlocking rapid innovation while addressing national security and ethical concerns in public sector applications.
Actionable Insights:
For Buyers: Align AI procurements with the plan's focus on deregulated, secure solutions, prioritizing vendors offering ideologically neutral models.
For Sellers: Adapt offerings to emphasize deregulation benefits and compliance with new export controls for federal clients.
Source: Holland & Knight Insights, Aug 2025
GSA Launches USAi to Drive AI Adoption Across Agencies
The General Services Administration introduced USAi on August 14, 2025, a secure generative AI evaluation suite at usai.gov, enabling federal agencies to experiment with AI tools like chat interfaces and code generation at no cost. This platform supports the White House’s AI Action Plan by providing a trusted environment for AI testing and decision-making.
Why It Matters: USAi democratizes AI access, fostering faster, safer adoption and reducing duplication in federal IT investments.
Actionable Insights:
For Buyers: Request USAi access for AI pilots, using its dashboards to track performance and inform procurement decisions.
For Sellers: Position AI solutions for USAi integration, highlighting measurable benefits in federal workflows.
Source: GSA News Release, Aug 2025
Agencies Race Against Tight AI Policy Deadlines
Federal agencies must update AI procurement and use policies by October 20, 2025, per OMB guidance, including standardizing data ownership, IP rights, and risk management for high-impact AI cases. GSA will launch an online portal for sharing AI solicitation templates and contract clauses.
Why It Matters: These deadlines ensure responsible AI integration, impacting innovation by balancing deregulation with robust governance in public sector IT.
Actionable Insights:
For Buyers: Form cross-functional teams to review AI acquisitions, focusing on IP protection and vendor lock-in risks.
For Sellers: Prepare compliant AI offerings with clear IP terms to capitalize on updated federal procurement processes.
Source: Federal News Network, Aug 2025
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Cybersecurity
Midyear Privacy and Cybersecurity Regulations Signal Deregulatory Shift
The midyear roundup highlights a reconfiguring of privacy and cybersecurity regulations under the new administration, with increased enforcement and litigation in areas like data breaches and AI governance. Key actions include updates to federal frameworks amid a focus on national security.
Why It Matters: This shift impacts public sector compliance, balancing innovation with robust enforcement against cyber risks.
Actionable Insights:
Source: Eversheds-Sutherland Insights, Aug 2025
AI Cyber Challenge Winners Advance Defensive Technologies
DARPA's AI Cyber Challenge announced winners developing AI-driven cybersecurity tools to detect and fix vulnerabilities automatically, with implications for public sector defenses. The challenge emphasizes rapid innovation in threat response.
Why It Matters: These advancements enable proactive cybersecurity, reducing breach impacts in government systems.
Actionable Insights:
Source: Federal News Network, Aug 2025
Strengthening Cyber Resilience Act Closes Gaps in Threat Protection
The Strengthening Cyber Resilience Against State-Sponsored Threats Act responds to growing foreign threats, calling for broader coverage in public sector protections and secure-by-design AI systems. It focuses on AI-specific vulnerabilities and biosecurity.
Why It Matters: The act enhances defenses against state-sponsored attacks, critical for national security.
Actionable Insights:
Source: TD SYNNEX Public Sector Blog, Aug 2025
Procurement and Partnerships
GSA's USAi, launched August 14, 2025, provides a no-cost evaluation suite for generative AI, supporting procurement decisions through testing and analytics. It aligns with the AI Action Plan for secure, scalable AI adoption.
Why It Matters: USAi streamlines AI procurement, reducing risks and costs for federal agencies.
Actionable Insights:
For Buyers: Use USAi for AI pilots and informed procurement, focusing on performance metrics.
For Sellers: Submit AI tools to USAi, highlighting integration and compliance benefits.
Source: GSA News Release, Aug 2025
New EO Mandates Secure Software in Federal Procurement
The June 2025 Cybersecurity EO requires vendors to comply with updated SSDF by January 2027, including Cyber Trust Mark labeling for IoT products. It emphasizes secure software development in procurements.
Why It Matters: This raises standards for federal procurement, ensuring secure, reliable technology.
Actionable Insights:
Source: TD SYNNEX Public Sector Blog, Aug 2025
Commerce and State Departments Partner on AI Exports
The Commerce and State Departments announced partnerships with industry for secure AI export packages, promoting U.S. AI leadership through full-stack solutions. This includes harmonized export controls.
Why It Matters: The initiative strengthens global AI competitiveness while securing technology transfers.
Actionable Insights:
Source: Federal News Network, Aug 2025
Data Privacy & Protection
August AI Law Updates Introduce New State Regulations
August 2025 saw Trump's AI Action Plan, EU GPAI guidelines, and six new U.S. state AI laws, imposing transparency and compliance requirements on AI decision-making. California's ADMT rules await final approval.
Why It Matters: Fragmented regulations impact public sector AI adoption and data privacy practices.
Actionable Insights:
Source: Orrick AI Law Center, Aug 2025
Data Breach Costs Hit $2.86 Million Average in Public Sector
IBM reports public sector data breach costs averaged $2.86 million in 2025, driven by sophisticated attacks and regulatory fines. This underscores the need for proactive protections.
Why It Matters: Escalating costs strain budgets and highlight the urgency for enhanced data safeguards.
Actionable Insights:
Source: Eversheds-Sutherland Insights, Aug 2025
Government IT Modernization
Modernization Playbook for Secure AI-Ready Federal Clouds
MeriTalk's playbook outlines key practices for federal cloud modernization, including zero-trust security, AI integration, and agile migration, balancing speed with safety. It emphasizes secure-by-design approaches.
Why It Matters: This guide supports rapid, secure cloud adoption essential for AI readiness in government.
Actionable Insights:
Source: TD SYNNEX Public Sector Blog, Aug 2025
Federal CIO Calls for Comprehensive IT Transformation
Federal CIO Greg Barbaccia stresses that true modernization goes beyond digitization, requiring outcome-driven strategies for AI and cloud integration. Focus on holistic approaches.
Why It Matters: This shifts government IT toward impactful, innovative modernization.
Actionable Insights:
Source: FedScoop, Aug 2025
GSA Doubles FedRAMP Authorizations in 2025
GSA achieved 114 FedRAMP authorizations in FY 2025, doubling last year's total, supporting broader secure cloud adoption across agencies. This exceeds goals for cloud security.
Why It Matters: Increased authorizations enable faster, compliant cloud deployments in government IT.
Actionable Insights:
Source: Federal News Network, Aug 2025
Closing
The public sector technology landscape is advancing at breakneck speed, driven by AI, cybersecurity, and modernization breakthroughs. From Trump's AI Action Plan to GSA's USAi launch, public-private partnerships are delivering transformative results.
As we tackle tight policy deadlines, rising breach costs, and cloud transformations, collaboration is the key to success. The stories in this edition highlight urgent challenges and innovative solutions for federal and SLED leaders.
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Ever to Conquer is published twice weekly to foster collaboration, break down marketplace barriers, and accelerate innovation across America’s federal and SLED technology ecosystem.
