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Ever to Conquer: The Relentless Pursuit of Public Sector Innovation
December 6, 2025
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Welcome to this week's edition as we continue building a coalition of leaders from all across the public sector ecosystem. This week's briefing includes: AI’s Breakthroughs and Backfires: From slashing red tape to stumbling in rollouts, AI’s reshaping government—but not without growing pains. Cybersecurity’s Crunch Time: Budget cuts and rising threats put agencies on edge, creating openings for innovative defenses. Procurement’s New Playbook: Big budgets and bold policies are rewriting how tech gets bought, with opportunities for agile vendors. Data Privacy’s Tightrope: Trust is the currency as agencies navigate surveillance fears and strict new laws. IT Modernization’s Momentum: Cloud and digital tools are transforming services, but execution is everything. Policy’s Power Plays: Regulatory battles and workforce shifts are setting the stage for what’s next.
Onward! AI and Government InnovationAI isn’t just hype—it’s rewriting the rules of governance and opening doors for bold industry players. Colorado’s AI Permitting Breakthrough Slashes Red Tape Colorado’s Department of Natural Resources has unleashed an AI system that’s cutting permitting times by 40%, using predictive analytics to sift through decades of environmental data and flag compliance risks [Source: StateScoop, Jun 2025]. The result? Renewable energy projects are moving faster, and other states are eyeing the tech with envy. Pentagon’s $500M AI Startup Gambit Shakes Up Defense The DoD just dropped a $500M bombshell at the AI+ Expo, courting startups to deliver real-time battlefield analytics and outpace global rivals [Source: DefenseNews, Jun 2025]. General Sarah Zabel didn’t mince words: “We need Silicon Valley’s hustle—or we’re toast.” FDA’s AI Flop ‘Elsa’ Triggers a Federal Reckoning The FDA’s shiny new AI tool “Elsa” crashed and burned after a hasty rollout, leaving egg on the agency’s face and sparking a GAO probe into AI readiness across government [Source: NextGov, Jun 2025]. The fiasco? No testing, no trust, and a whole lot of chaos. Cybersecurity Under PressureThe stakes are sky-high as cyber threats evolve faster than defenses can keep up. CISA’s $135M Budget Slash Ignites a Firestorm A House panel just greenlit a $135M cut to CISA’s FY 2026 budget, even as ransomware and nation-state hacks skyrocket [Source: Cybersecurity Dive, Jun 2025]. Industry leaders are sounding the alarm: critical infrastructure’s on the chopping block if this sticks. Ransomware’s New Playground: Water Utilities Under Siege Ohio and Texas water systems got hammered by ransomware that exploited creaky operational tech, prompting CISA and the FBI to roll out an OT security playbook [Source: FedScoop, Jun 2025]. The attacks didn’t just lock systems—they threatened clean water for millions. Chinese Hackers Breach DoD Contractors in Supply Chain Coup A slick Chinese cyber op infiltrated three major DoD contractors, exposing how fragile the supply chain really is [Source: NextGov, Jun 2025]. The breach nabbed sensitive specs, and now everyone’s pointing fingers.
🎙️ Check Out The Latest Episode of the Ever To Conquer Podcast 🎙️Procurement and PartnershipsBig money and big fights are rewriting the playbook for government tech buys. DoD’s $1T Budget Bets Big on Hypersonics and Space The 2026 defense budget’s closing in on $1.05T, with $200B funneled into next-gen toys like hypersonic missiles and space-based surveillance [Source: Defense Daily, Jun 2025]. Oh, and there’s a $5B small business carve-out for naval tech—game on. DOGE’s AI Procurement Push Hits a Legal Wall The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) wanted AI to slash VA contracts, but a federal judge slammed the brakes over privacy fears, leaving the plan in limbo [Source: EFF, Jun 2025]. Unions and vets are cheering, but efficiency’s taking a hit. SLED’s $10B Broadband Bonanza Kicks Off New federal grants are pouring $10B into broadband and smart cities, with Michigan and Nevada racing to snag the cash for 5G and IoT rollouts [Source: Smart Cities Dive, Jun 2025]. It’s a feeding frenzy for local projects with national muscle. Data Privacy & ProtectionPrivacy’s the third rail of public sector tech—touch it wrong, and you’re toast. DHS Social Media Snooping Sparks a Lawsuit Storm DHS’s plan to mine social media for immigration intel got hit with lawsuits claiming it’s a Privacy Act trainwreck [Source: EFF, Jun 2025]. Critics say it’s Big Brother gone wild; DHS says it’s just security. California and NY Schools Lock Down EdTech Data New laws in California and New York are clamping down on student data, forcing K-12 vendors to prove they’re FERPA bulletproof [Source: EdScoop, Jun 2025]. One slip, and it’s game over for contracts. Government IT ModernizationOut with the old, in with the bold—agencies are racing to catch up. GSA’s Cloud-First Leap Hits 80% by 2027 The General Services Administration’s betting big on cloud, aiming to shift 80% of its apps to AWS and Azure by 2027 [Source: FedScoop, Jun 2025]. It’s a full-on sprint to ditch the server closets. Chicago’s Digital Portal Slashes Permit Times in Half Chicago’s new online permitting system cut wait times by 50%, and now cities like Austin and Raleigh are copying the playbook [Source: StateScoop, Jun 2025]. Citizens love it; bureaucrats are breathing easier. Public PolicyPolicy’s pulling the strings—ignore it, and you’re out of tune. AI Regulation Tug-of-War Splits Congress A Senate bill wants to override state AI laws, but SLED leaders are pushing back, saying it kills local control [Source: NextGov, Jun 2025]. The result? A compliance mess looms on the horizon. Telework’s Death Rattle Boosts Hybrid Tech The Trump admin’s war on federal telework is forcing agencies to scramble for secure hybrid tools [Source: GovExec, Jun 2025]. Remote work’s fading, but the tech needs are roaring back. Why This MattersThe public sector IT game is heating up. AI’s promising miracles but tripping over its own feet, cybersecurity’s a battlefield with shrinking ammo, and procurement’s a wild west of opportunity and chaos. For FED and SLED buyers, it’s about threading the needle—innovation, security, and trust. For sellers, it’s a chance to shine in a crowded ring if you bring the right tools. These aren’t just headlines—they’re your next move. Onward! Thanks for riding with Ever to Conquer. Drop us your thoughts, subscribe for the next round, and let’s keep pushing the public sector tech frontier—together. 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Kettl, https://www.govexec.com/workforce/2025/06/trumps-push-executive-order-loyalty-risks-undermining-federal-workforce-and-constitution/405959/ [50] "Criminalizing masks at protests is wrong", Adam Schwartz, https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/06/criminalizing-masks-protests-wrong/ [51] "Market Research, GovTech, Spend Analysis...", Nicole Smith, https://www.linkedin.com/posts/smithne930_marketresearch-govtech-spendanalysis-ugcPost-7338190075249192960-Zgjo?utm_source=social_share_send&utm_medium=member_desktop_web&rcm=ACoAAFulJYYBr4AIqgBu9uQ9_0TznUsmxDWww5g [52] "Public Procurement, Vendor Performance Management...", David Yarkin, https://www.linkedin.com/posts/davidyarkin_publicprocurement-vendorperformancemanagement-activity-7336792468706734081-UPGf?utm_source=social_share_send&utm_medium=member_desktop_web&rcm=ACoAAFulJYYBr4AIqgBu9uQ9_0TznUsmxDWww5g [53] "HASC leaders offer proposal with sweeping reforms to speed up DoD acquisition process", Matthew Beinart, https://www.defensedaily.com/hasc-leaders-offer-proposal-with-sweeping-reforms-to-speed-up-dod-acquisition-process/congress/ [54] "DoD awards six small businesses $5 billion contract vehicle for naval integrated weapons systems equipment", Rich Abott, https://www.defensedaily.com/dod-awards-six-small-businesses-5-billion-contract-vehicle-in-naval-integrated-weapons-systems-equipment/navy-usmc/ [55] "Bipartisan House proposal aims to speed up defense acquisition work", Leo Shane III, https://www.defensenews.com/news/pentagon-congress/2025/06/09/bipartisan-house-proposal-aims-to-speed-up-defense-acquisition-work/ [56] "SECNAV says Navy should consider competing SSNs", Rich Abott, https://www.defensedaily.com/secnav-says-navy-should-consider-competing-ssns/navy-usmc/ [57] "USAF slashes F-35 buy, boosts next-gen fighter in unconventional 2026 budget proposal", Audrey Decker, https://www.defenseone.com/policy/2025/06/usaf-slashes-f-35-buy-boosts-next-gen-fighter-unconventional-2026-budget-proposal/405997/ [58] "Air Force radar plane may be cancelled", Audrey Decker, https://www.defenseone.com/policy/2025/06/air-force-radar-plane-may-be-cancelled/ [59] "Driscoll: Army on track to field hypersonic weapon by end of FY 25, exploring cheaper version", Matthew Beinart, https://www.defensedaily.com/driscoll-army-on-track-to-field-hypersonic-weapon-by-end-of-fy-25-exploring-cheaper-version/army/ [60] "Small Business Administration would have to relocate field offices from sanctuary jurisdictions under House-passed bill", Sean Michael Newhouse, https://www.govexec.com/management/2025/06/small-business-administration-would-have-relocate-field-offices-sanctuary-jurisdictions-under-house-passed-bill/405884/ [61] "USDOT FHWA commits funds for highway bridge construction, repair, maintenance", Dan Zukowski, https://www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/usdot-fhwa-funds-highway-bridge-construction-repair-maintenance/750261/ [62] "Phoenix light rail extension opens", Julie Strupp, https://www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/phoenix-light-rail-extension-opens/750296/ [63] "New York State lags on NG911 transition", sfoxsowell, https://statescoop.com/new-york-strate-lags-ng911/ [64] "San Jose California data strategy 2025", Colin Wood, https://statescoop.com/san-jose-california-data-strategy-2025/ [65] "Utah doesn't issue identities anymore, it endorses them", Colin Wood, https://statescoop.com/utah-doesnt-issue-identities-anymore-it-endorses-them/ [66] "Two areas for K12 schools to assess for when to work with a managed services provider", thejournal.com, https://thejournal.com/articles/2025/06/10/two-areas-for-k12-schools-to-assess-for-when-to-work-with-a-managed-services-provider.aspx [67] "Canary, Public Procurement, Hiring...", David Yarkin, https://www.linkedin.com/posts/davidyarkin_canary-publicprocurement-hiring-activity-7336397424367751168-CSYH?utm_source=social_share_send&utm_medium=member_desktop_web&rcm=ACoAAFulJYYBr4AIqgBu9uQ9_0TznUsmxDWww5g [68] "Here's how to spot the prospects who will...", Krysten Conner, https://www.linkedin.com/posts/krystenconner_heres-how-to-spot-the-prospects-who-will-activity-7337825851528372225-Pyta?utm_source=social_share_send&utm_medium=member_desktop_web&rcm=ACoAAFuvZ7UBTIEhLCQorlXawPi8xcVDulawmPc [69] "SpaceX NASA Trump Elon Musk tensions", Kenneth Chang, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/05/science/spacex-nasa-trump-elon-musk.html [70] "DOGE: 100% Musk out, more than 100 of his followers remain to implement Trump's blueprint", Al Shaw, Jake Pearson, Avi Asher-Schapiro, Christopher Bing, and William Turton, ProPublica, https://www.govexec.com/management/2025/06/doge-100-musk-out-more-100-his-followers-remain-implement-trumps-blueprint/405966/
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