Former GSA executive, Erv Koehler, dives into the federal government’s long-running challenge with bid protests—and offers practical, innovative solutions. From football-inspired “timeouts” to rethinking price assessments, Erv explains how the government can cut down on frivolous protests without undermining legitimate contractor concerns.

You’ll learn how the Government Accountability Office's recent stats—showing that over half of protests lead to some form of remedy—reveal both the value and the burden of the current protest system. He discusses how implementing a protest “timeout” policy could incentivize contractors to think twice before filing baseless objections.

Subscribe and listen to the Fed Gov Today Podcast anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com.

The Fed Gov Today TV Show airs on Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m. E.T. on ABC 7. You can also watch on Demand on Youtube. Listen to Fed Gov Today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anytime at FedGovToday.com.

Todd Harrison, Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, joins Francis to examine the fiscal year 2026 defense budget proposal from the Trump administration, which totals $848 billion. Harrison discusses how the reconciliation process is being used to fund Department of Defense programs and compares it to the previous use of Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) funding.

He explains the procedural and political differences between the two methods and outlines the implications for future budgeting, particularly in FY27. You’ll learn how these fiscal mechanisms influence national defense planning, what’s at stake for high-priority programs like Golden Dome, and how political dynamics could shape future funding decisions.

Subscribe and listen to the Fed Gov Today Podcast anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com.

Chris Hamm, CEO of FIN Acquisitions and former director of FEDSIM at GSA, joins the program to discuss a provision in the Senate’s version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that aims to reduce frivolous bid protests in federal contracting. Hamm outlines the intent behind Section 816 of the NDAA, which seeks to create financial disincentives for contractors who file meritless protests. He explains why, despite the good intentions, the proposed clawback mechanism is unlikely to succeed due to limitations in appropriations law and challenges in enforcing profit recovery.

You’ll hear Hamm describe how the current protest system can create incentives for incumbent contractors to delay transitions by filing protests, and how that affects the efficiency of federal acquisition. He compares the current protest environment to stoppages in a football game, and proposes an alternative model—similar to the NFL’s challenge system—to limit the frequency and impact of protests.

Subscribe and listen to the Fed Gov Today Podcast anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com.

The Fed Gov Today TV Show airs on Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m. E.T. on ABC 7. You can also watch on Demand on Youtube. Listen to Fed Gov Today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anytime at FedGovToday.com.

In this episode of Fed Gov Today, you will get an inside look at a groundbreaking transformation taking place at the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). Acting Commander Kenneth Watson of DLA Land and Maritime joins the show to detail the agency’s Technical Data Management Transformation (TDMT), a bold initiative aimed at digitizing and modernizing how the DLA handles technical specifications for military parts and equipment.

You will learn how DLA is working closely with the Army as a pilot case, using new tools to streamline data flows and create a more responsive, transparent, and efficient contracting process. The episode also explores the broader impact of this effort: increasing resilience across the defense industrial base, attracting new vendors, and reducing single points of failure in military supply lines. Ken shares his vision of TDMT as a “universal translator” for tech data, simplifying integration across various military services and ensuring industry receives accurate, timely information.

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Former ODNI and DOD Chief Information Officer, John Sherman, joins the show to break down the sweeping implications of the Intelligence Community Efficiency and Effectiveness Act of 2025. If passed, this legislation could dramatically reshape the structure, mission, and operational dynamics of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) and the broader intelligence community.

Sherman shares his personal perspective on why the legislation “mostly hits the mark,” what aspects give him pause—like the proposed closure of the National Intelligence University—and why the balance between reform and continuity is so critical. Drawing from his extensive experience inside ODNI and DOD, Sherman outlines both the opportunities and risks of redistributing major national intelligence centers to operational agencies like the CIA and FBI. He warns of the security vulnerabilities that could emerge during transitions and emphasizes the importance of keeping adversaries in mind during any structural shifts.

Subscribe and listen to the Fed Gov Today Podcast anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at FedGovToday.com.

The Fed Gov Today TV Show airs on Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m. E.T. on ABC 7. You can also watch on Demand on Youtube. Listen to Fed Gov Today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anytime at FedGovToday.com.