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The Practical Applications of Artificial Intelligence in Government Programs

Posted on by Ryan Redman

A Government’s ability to lead, protect and serve is tied to how boldly it embraces technology. Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a distant concept. It’s a force already redefining the way agencies operate, safeguard resources and deliver services. In an era where global competitors are racing ahead with automation and advanced analytics, standing still is not an option. Agencies that adopt AI strategically will not only keep pace but set new standards for effectiveness, transparency and citizen trust.

Key Use Cases for Artificial Intelligence in Government

Across the Public Sector, AI is moving beyond pilot projects into critical programs. Government agencies are weaving AI into their daily operations. They are detecting fraud before it drains budgets, automating compliance that once accounted for many staff hours and analyzing risks too complicated for manual review. The practical applications are real, measurable and growing. What once seemed like gradual innovation is quickly becoming a foundation for modern governance.

Common AI use cases in Government include:

Fraud detection and prevention

The U.S. Government loses between a year to fraud. While no agency is immune to fraud, AI is helping the Government fight back. For example:

The uses machine learning to detect fraud in real time, enabling it to recover over $4 billion in fraudulent funds during fiscal year 2024.
The has integrated AI in its fraud prevention system to review claims before payment. Between January and August 2025 alone, it denied over 800,000 fraudulent claims, saving more than $141 million.
uses AI-powered tools, such as the Risk-Based Collection Model, to improve fraud detection and reduce the tax gap.

Compliance reporting

Compliance is time-consuming for agencies, but AI is now automating much of the process. Agencies use AI to monitor real-time data and flag inconsistencies to simplify reporting. With these capabilities, AI enables greater transparency and faster responses to regulatory requirements.

While AI doesn’t replace human oversight, it frees staff to focus on higher-value analysis, cutting the time and costs of compliance. A good example is the Securities and Exchange Commission’s to automate reporting for financial markets. It processes millions of filings and generates compliance reports to improve enforcement efficiency.

Risk management

Government programs face constant risks:

Operational
Financial
Security
Environmental
Third-party exposure

AI in Government is already helping agencies with minimum risk management practices. For instance, with AI-enabled Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) platforms helps agencies assess vendor reliability and track compliance to reduce exposure.

Supply chain monitoring

The COVID-19 pandemic revealed the vulnerability of the public supply chain. AI is now helping the Government strengthen resilience with real-time monitoring.

Machine learning models predict bottlenecks to help agencies optimize their logistics. Additionally, enhanced visibility allows policymakers to proactively , as they can monitor vendors and flag vulnerabilities before they escalate.

Policy cycle integration

Public policies move through cycles: setting the agenda, designing solutions, implementing programs and evaluating results. AI has a role at each stage.

Policy cycle stage	AI’s roles
Agenda-setting	Analyzes citizen feedback and emerging trends to identify priorities
Solution development	Models the likely impact of different policy options
Implementation	Automates program operations
Evaluation	Measures outcomes against goals

Used thoughtfully, AI makes the policy cycle more evidence-driven and adaptive.

Citizen services

According to a 2024 Salesforce report, expect Government digital technologies to match the quality of the best private sector organizations. To meet these expectations, U.S. and State Government agencies are using:

to answer common questions and improve the availability of Government services
Digital assistants to provide personalized help and handle more complex inquiries
Self-service portals to let citizens complete tasks like renewing licenses on their own

Benefits of Artificial Intelligence in Government

Beyond mere modernization, embracing AI in Government delivers measurable value:

Increased efficiency and productivity

According to a 2023 McKinsey report, generative AI can and add $2.6–4.4 trillion annually to global productivity. Federal and State agencies are using AI to reduce repetitive tasks such as data entry and document reviews to free Government employees’ time for more strategic efforts. This shift in focus raises productivity without adding headcount.

Improved strategy

Insights from AI help policymakers see the bigger picture. Agencies use predictive analytics to forecast outcomes and test scenarios so they can design public policies to prevent undesirable outcomes to begin with, instead of just reacting to them.

Greater responsiveness

AI makes public services more responsive. Examples include agencies using and sentiment analysis tools to better .

Implementation Challenges that Hinder the Strategic Use of AI in Government

While AI is already delivering results in Government agencies, several obstacles hinder its broader adoption.

Skill gaps and training

A 2024 Salesforce survey found that say limited AI skill is their top challenge in implementing AI.

Data biases and ethics

AI learns from data that often reflects existing societal inequities, which .

Data management

Many agencies rely on siloed or outdated systems. In fact, the Federal Government faces a , making it difficult to integrate and secure data effectively.

Public trust

Government agencies are expected to operate with a high degree of accountability and transparency. Public skepticism, shaped with legitimate concerns about bias and privacy, may stall or derail AI initiatives.

The Way Forward: Building Smarter, Trustworthy Public Programs

The potential of AI in Government is huge, but so are the risks. To enjoy the benefits while protecting public trust, it’s important to follow :

Treat AI as a strategic asset that drives smart, citizen-focused outcomes, rather than just a technical tool.
Pair AI with human oversight to address biases and provide context in decision-making, so the outcomes remain fair and ethical.
Invest in responsible governance frameworks to guide the development and deployment of AI within your agency.
Monitor AI continuously after deployment to address any unintended consequences.

Managing AI in GRC Solutions

Explore how to
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Billington CyberSecurity Summit: AI Takes Center Stage

Posted on by Vikram Thakur

Premier U.S. Government cyber conference previews AI on offense, on defense and as a target

While adversaries can boost the quality and volume of attacks with artificial intelligence (AI), defenders will apply AI to counter attacks with predictive and proactive defenses.
The advent of Agentic AIs will accelerate this trend and provide more avenues for attack, but defenders will always have the advantage by being able to train AIs with proprietary information and use them to identify vulnerabilities before attackers do.
The transition to post-quantum cryptography will be an industry-wide heavy lift, with extensive rewriting of code to meet post-quantum standards.

Recently, I had the opportunity to share some of my experience and insights at the in Washington, D.C. Moderated by Chris Townsend, Global Vice President of Public Sector at Elastic, our , “The Future of Cyber Threat: Anticipating Threat Actors’ Next Steps,” explored how threat actors are evolving and what organizations can do now to prepare. Not surprisingly, AI was a hot topic. We also discussed quantum computing, emerging threats and the cybersecurity staffing shortage.

How Attackers Will Leverage AI

Attackers are already using AI to power their attacks, but it is important not to over-sensationalize the impact that AI is having because the proportion of AI-driven attacks is still quite small relative to the overall amount of malicious activity we are seeing. However, we expect that proportion to grow quickly.

One of the main ways attackers are using it now is to create phishing materials, because it addresses what is a weak point for many threat actors, who often are not native English speakers. Attacks that are technically sophisticated can fail because they begin with a spear phishing email whose spelling or grammar is wrong. Large Language Models (LLMs) solve that problem brilliantly because if there is one thing they are good at, it is creating plausible narratives in perfect English.

The other area we see attackers using it is to automate their work. We have of code that appears to have been written by an AI.

In the short term, AI will not enable adversaries to do anything new, but we expect it to enhance the quality and volume of their attacks. AI is lowering the entry bar for threat actors. They do not even need to know how to code anymore. Naturally, the number of attacks will begin to go up.

In the medium term, the arrival of Agentic AI is likely to accelerate malicious activity levels, since agents can act autonomously, further minimizing the level of input needed from attackers.

on how agents could be abused and proven that they can already be used to carry out a basic spear phishing attack and deliver malicious code to a target. Agents are still in their infancy, and it is only a matter of time before they become capable of carrying out more sophisticated attacks with minimal instruction.

Preparing For the Quantum Era

The advent of presents another significant challenge for cybersecurity. Quantum computers have the potential to break current encryption standards, making it imperative for organizations to transition to post-quantum encryption algorithms.

Adversaries are already preparing for this shift. The “harvest now, decrypt later” strategy involves stealing encrypted data today with the intention of decrypting it once quantum computing becomes viable.

This process of transitioning to post-quantum encryption is not without its challenges. Decades of work have gone into refining and protecting the implementation of existing encryption methods, and we now face the task of revising and rewriting code using new, post-quantum standards. This will inevitably introduce a new generation of bugs, but we will have the benefit of AI to mitigate them.

It Does Not Stop Here

Conferences such as Billington are essential as we navigate this complex landscape. It embodies the Public and Private Sector collaboration that will be key to realizing better cyber defense outcomes moving forward. Together, with partners like ̽��Ƶ delivering mission-critical industry expertise to U.S. Federal and Public Sector agencies, we can anticipate and counter the next generation of cyber threats, ensuring the safety and resilience of our digital ecosystems.

Learn more about how industry icons like Symantec and Carbon Black are putting AI on the .

Want to learn how Symantec, Carbon Black and ̽��Ƶ can strengthen your cybersecurity posture? Contact us at Broadcom@̽��Ƶ.com for more information.

̽��Ƶ. is The Trusted Government IT Solutions Provider, supporting Public Sector organizations across Federal, State and Local Government agencies and Education and Healthcare markets. As the Master Government Aggregator for our vendor partners, including Broadcom, we deliver solutions for Geospatial, Cybersecurity, MultiCloud, DevSecOps, Artificial Intelligence, Customer Experience and Engagement, Open Source and more. Working with resellers, systems integrators and consultants, our sales and marketing teams provide industry leading IT products, services and training through hundreds of contract vehicles. Explore the ̽��Ƶ Blog to learn more about the latest trends in Government technology markets and solutions, as well as ̽��Ƶ’s ecosystem of partner thought-leaders.

This post originally appeared on , and is re-published with permission.

Tightening Federal OT Cyber Incident Reporting For Critical Infrastructure

Posted on by Michael G. "Schu" Schumacher

Process-Oriented OT Cybersecurity with SIGA

Federal agencies and regulated operators of critical infrastructure are entering a new phase in operational technology (OT) cybersecurity. While many sectors have long followed voluntary guidance such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication (SP) 800-82 Revision 3, recent years have seen a steady tightening of Federal cyber incident reporting requirements for critical infrastructure. This trend continues in 2025 with additional sector-specific rules taking effect and the Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act (CIRCIA) moving toward its final rule.

From Guidance to Requirements

Federal oversight of OT cybersecurity has moved beyond broad guidelines into a phase where specific reporting obligations are being set by sector. The shift reflects a growing emphasis on timely and consistent incident data that can be used for coordinated national response.

In 2025, several key developments are shaping the landscape:

Federal OT Cyber Incident Reporting, blog, embedded image, 2025

Pipelines: The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Security Directive Pipeline-2021-02F, effective May 3, 2025, continues to require mitigation measures, testing and contingency planning for pipeline operators. These measures have been in place since the Colonial Pipeline incident and are now firmly embedded in regulatory practice.
Water and Wastewater: The has updated its technical assistance and incident-response guidance. While participation is voluntary, the program mirrors many of the practices found in regulated sectors, indicating where expectations are headed.
CIRCIA: The Act is expected to be finalized in late 2025. Once in effect, it will require reporting significant incidents within 72 hours and ransomware payments within 24 hours, creating a cross-sector Federal baseline for incident reporting.

For Public Sector operators in energy, transportation, water and other essential services, these actions confirm that Federal expectations are moving toward consistent, evidence-based incident reporting across critical infrastructure.

The Reporting Challenge in OT Environments

Meeting Federal reporting requirements depends not only on having the right policies in place but also on the ability to detect and verify incidents quickly. In OT environments, many cyber events start as small changes in process behavior that do not appear in traditional network monitoring. When these early signs go unnoticed, agencies may be unable to confirm the incident, assess its impact or provide the detailed operational evidence that regulators require.

In the Purdue Enterprise Reference Architecture (commonly referred to as the Purdue Model), Level Zero refers to the lowest layer of an industrial control system. This is where raw input and output (I/O) signals from field devices report the actual status of equipment such as pumps, valves, circuit breakers and turbines. These electrical signals are the first and most reliable indicators of what is happening in a physical process, and they exist independently of the network data that higher levels use.

Without visibility into Level Zero, operators face several obstacles:

Difficulty confirming whether a cyber event has actually affected operations
Limited ability to quantify operational and safety impacts with precision
Gaps in the time-stamped evidence needed to meet short Federal reporting windows

The challenge is heightened in environments that mix aging legacy systems with modernized control platforms. These environments often lack unified monitoring, making it harder to capture the unaltered operational data regulators now expect.

Why Process-Oriented OT Cybersecurity Matters

In the Purdue Model, Level Zero is the process interface where the control system reads and drives raw I/O signals. Those unprocessed signals provide the closest, most reliable view of real operating conditions, so early signs of a cyber-physical impact frequently show up there first.

Process-oriented OT cybersecurity focuses on monitoring these raw signals in real time. By capturing them out of band from the operational network, agencies gain a trusted source of truth that cannot be spoofed or altered by a network-based attack. This data enables:

Clear timelines of operational changes before, during and after an incident
Early detection of anomalies that may indicate tampering or failure
Reliable forensic evidence for post-incident reporting and compliance audits

This approach bridges the gap between traditional IT security tools and the operational realities of critical infrastructure, ensuring that reporting requirements can be met with both speed and accuracy.

SIGA’s Role in Compliance Readiness

delivers process-oriented OT cybersecurity for critical infrastructure. SigaGuard connects directly to control-system I/O modules and continuously monitors raw electrical signals at Level 0, entirely out of band from the operational network. This preserves system performance and provides a tamper-proof view of operational data.

SigaGuardX: Early Threat Detection
SigaGuardX supports evidence-based determination of when a cyber event is underway. It classifies whether activity reflects normal operations or an OT cyber breach by applying multiple artificial intelligence (AI) models and cross-referencing the MITRE database of known attacks. It also performs real-time comparisons between Level 0 signal behavior and data from Levels 1 through 4 to surface possible false-data injection attacks, including Stuxnet-like patterns.

Siga-PAS: Process Attack Simulation
Software-based simulated anomalies replicate real-world attack scenarios. Siga-PAS enables agencies to prepare for and respond to OT-specific threats without disrupting ongoing operations, while validating detection logic, incident playbooks and reporting workflows.

Compliance Outcomes

High-fidelity operational evidence that aligns with CIRCIA and sector-specific reporting requirements
Regulator-ready forensic records of sequence, scope and impact
Faster reporting through actionable alerts with operational context
Rapid verification of whether a cyber event affected critical processes

By integrating SIGA’s Level 0 monitoring into existing security operations, agencies can meet tightening Federal reporting requirements and improve their ability to detect, contain and recover from OT cyber incidents. This strengthens both regulatory compliance and the continuity of essential public services.

Visit ̽��Ƶ’s SIGA solutions page to learn more about how SIGA’s cyber-physical security solutions can strengthen your agency’s infrastructure.

̽��Ƶ. is The Trusted Government IT Solutions Provider, supporting Public Sector organizations across Federal, State and Local Government agencies and Education and Healthcare markets. As the Master Government Aggregator for our vendor partners, including SIGA, we deliver solutions for Geospatial, Cybersecurity, MultiCloud, DevSecOps, Artificial Intelligence, Customer Experience and Engagement, Open Source and more. Working with resellers, systems integrators and consultants, our sales and marketing teams provide industry leading IT products, services and training through hundreds of contract vehicles. Explore the ̽��Ƶ Blog to learn more about the latest trends in Government technology markets and solutions, as well as ̽��Ƶ’s ecosystem of partner thought-leaders.

Transforming Public Services: A Digital Approach to Efficiency and Trust

Posted on by Josh Green

Since the founding of the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) in 1921, efficiency has been a focus of the Federal Government. According to the legislation, the GAO aims to provide “greater economy and efficiency in the conduct of public service” and has been integral in the effort to aid our Government to do more with less. Today, this mission continues with the adoption of modern technologies to expand Government outreach. The adoption of modern technology allows for increases in interactions such as website visits, applications for services and public outreach. The hope is that building on these foundations of new technology will meet and improve public expectations ().

Designing Trusted Digital Services

Today’s digital world has brought about a rising set of expectations from the constituents that public agencies work with. People now expect their Public Sector experiences to be on par with their favorite online retailers. This is likely why digital services are a priority of both the “America by Design” Executive Order and State CIOs (). To meet these expectations and create trusted services, Government websites need their digital offerings to be intuitive, personalized and responsive to the needs of every user. Making every interaction count is what is important. Everything from the smallest information request to the most complex, multi-year service transactions should be built with the user in mind. These user-centered designs can ensure that agencies construct the kinds of welcoming, trusted experiences that users want.

The potential for citizens to interact with their Governments in the digital space is limitless, and creating personalized content is pivotal to meeting those expectations.��Trusted, engaging experiences are built on equal pillars of data, content and meaningful delivery. However, they begin with a modern foundation to meet the demands necessary for true personalization.

Technology and Workforce Modernization

Modernization is about streamlining outdated processes that have long hindered efficiency. Many Government websites still struggle with outdated designs and inconsistent content, yet the website of a Government agency is often the first point of contact for constituents seeking information or services. Therefore, the America by Design EO requires agencies to “prioritize improving websites…that have a major impact on Americans’ everyday lives” (). With a well-designed website that is easy to navigate, constituents can quickly find the information that they need.

After agencies inform constituents about services, they must enroll them in the appropriate ones. Enrollment processes have traditionally been slow and time-consuming, often relying on paper-intensive systems. To reduce administrative burdens and improve data collection accuracy, agencies must transition from manual, paper-centric workflows to digital tools. When employees aren’t bogged down by administrative cleanup work, they have more time to work on tasks that make a bigger impact on their agencies’ missions.

This means that modernization is also about enabling the workforce to adapt to this new digital foundation. Efficiency here involves enhancing communication between employees, aligning project tasks with agency goals and providing transparency into this progress. Agencies that foster a culture of collaboration and trust in their workforce will see that workforce more empowered to deliver efficient results that align better with overall goals.

Looking Forward

Today, efficiency has expanded beyond the scope of the GAO itself and has been integrated into nearly every aspect of the Public Sector and how residents think about it. By prioritizing intuitive, personalized and efficient digital services that meet public expectations, agencies can increase trust in our Government.

Check out this on-demand webinar series to learn how Adobe’s digital experience solutions can help your agency modernize public services, digitize internal workflows and accelerate content delivery, while ensuring compliance and protecting sensitive data.

Securing Government AI: Why Federal Agencies Need a Trust Layer for Accountable, Compliant Deployment

Posted on by Seema Khinda Johnson

Federal agencies must deploy AI fast – but safely. The White House’s Executive Order, new OMB guidance requiring Chief AI Officers, and citizen expectations are driving rapid adoption., doubling in just one year.

The challenge? Traditional security can’t keep up with AI systems operating at machine speed and scale. Federal agencies need Zero Trust architecture built specifically for AI agents, not retrofitted legacy systems. The recent addition of Nuggets’ Trust Layer solutions to the GSA Schedule provides exactly that foundation.

The Zero Trust Imperative for Government AI

Here’s the reality: AI agents make thousands of decisions per second across multiple systems. Without Zero Trust verification, agencies can’t prove who authorized what action, when or with which data.

The core challenges are clear:

Speed vs oversight: AI operates faster than current security can verify
Scale: Thousands of simultaneous agent interactions with no unified oversight
Accountability gaps: No audit trails for autonomous decisions in black-box systems
Compliance blind spots: weren’t designed for autonomous AI
Sophisticated threats: AI-powered spoofing attacks that overwhelm legacy defenses

Federal agencies face intense pressure to adopt AI, but risks around bias, privacy, accountability and public trust threaten safe deployment. The gap between what agencies must deliver–secure, transparent, compliant services—and what legacy systems can support continues to widen.

Why Legacy Solutions Can’t Keep Up

Traditional identity systems were built for humans, not AI agents. While protocols like Agent-to-Agent (A2A) and Model Context Protocol (MCP) enable coordination between agents and tools, they don’t verify trust, intent or authorization, especially when handling sensitive Government data.

Point solutions create security silos and compliance blind spots. Legacy frameworks simply don’t account for autonomous decision-making, leaving agencies without proof of who or what acted, when and with proper authorization. Without this foundation, compliance and accountability are left to chance.

The Trust Layer Solution: Zero Trust for AI

Nuggets provides purpose-built Zero Trust architecture for agentic AI. Recognized by Gartner as a leader in decentralized identity, our trust layer embeds verification into every AI interaction, no matter the agent, system or data involved.

The comprehensive architecture creates compliance by design through three core capabilities:

Verifiable Identity: Cryptographically verified identity for every human, organization and AI agent that works across all platforms, contexts, devices and systems.

Complete Audit Trails: Every AI decision creates tamper-proof records with consent receipts and authorization proofs that meet Federal accountability requirements.

Standards Compliance: Built-in adherence to requirements, ensuring agencies can deploy AI while meeting stringent security standards.

The result: a Zero Trust foundation on which agencies can deploy autonomous AI systems with confidence that every action is verified, compliant and auditable. This will enable both rapid innovation and Government accountability.

Real Impact: Government AI That Works

For Government IT leaders, the practical outcomes are substantial and measurable. Agencies using Nuggets’ trust layer achieve:

Operational Confidence: AI agents operate autonomously while maintaining security standards, delivering efficiency without sacrificing oversight.

Compliance Assurance: Built-in adherence to Federal identity verification requirements eliminates compliance guesswork.

Mission Success: Complete audit trails for all AI interactions and decisions ensure accountability while preventing unauthorized actions that could compromise sensitive operations.

Real-world use cases demonstrate the impact: automated document processing across agencies with complete audit trails, AI-driven eligibility checks and fraud detection that withstand regulatory scrutiny, secure inter-agency data sharing with verified agent identities and AI-powered citizen services that maintain privacy while delivering efficiency.

Each deployment proves that agencies can achieve both AI innovation and Government accountability, systems that are trusted by regulators, citizens and the mission itself.

The GSA Schedule Advantage

Procurement complexity often slows Government adoption of new technologies, but Nuggets eliminates these barriers. The solution is available through multiple pre-vetted contract vehicles, including GSA Schedule No. 47QSWA18D008F, SEWP V contracts, ITES-SW2, NASPO ValuePoint, OMNIA Partners and E&I Contract.

This means agencies can move from evaluation to deployment quickly, leveraging ̽��Ƶ’s established Government relationships and support infrastructure. No lengthy procurement delays, no security gaps, no compliance questions.

Ready for Trusted AI Deployment?

As agencies expand AI capabilities, traditional security cannot keep pace with the speed, scale and complexity of autonomous systems. Purpose-built Zero Trust infrastructure is essential for agencies that must balance innovation mandates with compliance requirements and public accountability.

See how Federal agencies are deploying AI that’s secure, compliant, transparent and trusted. Schedule a personalized demo to explore how Nuggets’ Trust Layer can secure your agency’s AI deployment with the accountability that Government operations require.

Deploy AI that’s trusted by regulators, citizens and your mission. Contact ̽��Ƶ at (844) 214-4790 or Nuggets@carahsoft.com. Learn more at www.carahsoft.com/nuggets.

̽��Ƶ. is The Trusted Government IT Solutions Provider, supporting Public Sector organizations across Federal, State and Local Government agencies and Education and Healthcare markets. As the Master Government Aggregator for our vendor partners, including Nuggets, we deliver solutions for Geospatial, Cybersecurity, MultiCloud, DevSecOps, Artificial Intelligence, Customer Experience and Engagement, Open Source and more. Working with resellers, systems integrators and consultants, our sales and marketing teams provide industry leading IT products, services and training through hundreds of contract vehicles. Explore the��̽��Ƶ Blog��to learn more about the latest trends in Government technology markets and solutions, as well as ̽��Ƶ’s ecosystem of partner thought-leaders.

Secrets to Public Sector Sales Success: Insights from Marion Square’s Harvey Morrison

Posted on by Harvey Morrison

The Federal Government needs more solutions, not more software. That is the message we at get every day from our agency contacts. They do not want lists of product features or emails about why one technology is better than another. They want to know how that technology will meet their very specific needs, how it will fit into their unique IT architecture and, most importantly, how it will help them solve their challenges.

As such, successfully selling to agencies today looks a lot different from what it did a few years ago. It is not about getting 50 meetings with 50 different agencies; that scattershot approach is a waste of time. Instead, it is about ensuring that the right meetings are held and that each one matters.

That is where Marion Square comes in. We help technology vendors align their products with mission impact and operational fit. Our advisory approach blends deep market intelligence with tailored go-to-market strategies that position technology not as a product, but as an answer to an agency’s most pressing needs.

Based on our conversations with agency contacts, here are the key trends shaping Federal buying behavior, and how we recommend vendors respond.

The Three Pricing Archetypes Driving Public Sector Purchasing

The Government is still under immense pressure to bring costs down and increase efficiencies. Over the past few months, we have heard from many clients whose customers have called for price reductions. We advise them on three ways to respond:

designed to disrupt incumbents.
to consolidate functionality and edge out niche competitors.
The “default discount” simply lowers the price without a strategic hook.

Vendors must choose their approach carefully. A bold discount can open doors but risks setting unsustainable expectations. Value bundling requires clear articulation of how those added features meet specific mission needs. And while price cuts may help win deals in the short term, they should be anchored in a broader licensing or adoption strategy to avoid devaluation.

Partnering With Services Companies Is a Winning Strategy

Agencies need help navigating integration, implementation, training and sustainment. That is why partnering with services companies is essential. These firms bring institutional knowledge, procurement relationships and hands-on delivery capacity that agencies trust. When a vendor brings a product plus a credible partner to help stand it up, it reduces perceived risk and increases purchase confidence.

At Marion Square, we help clients align with the right service partners early in their go-to-market process. Doing so allows them to frame their offerings not as standalone tools, but as parts of larger, operationally relevant solutions.

Indeed, we have seen a lot of success when vendors position themselves alongside integrators or mission-focused contractors who already have traction within an agency. The collaboration strengthens the overall value proposition and gives agencies greater confidence that the solution can be deployed effectively and deliver measurable outcomes.

Agencies Look to Vendors For Education, Not Just Products

Many Federal stakeholders are overwhelmed by emerging technologies and new mandates. They value a partner who can help them unpack directives like the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Binding Operational Directive (BOD) 23-02, for instance, or understand how artificial intelligence (AI) tools can improve workflows, cybersecurity initiatives and so forth. Vendors who show up with insight, rather than just information, become trusted advisors and separate themselves from the pack.

We also see a significant knowledge gap around the innovation programs already available to agencies. Beyond well-known pathways like Small Business Innovation Research Programs (SBIRs), many Government stakeholders are unaware of other funding mechanisms and pilot opportunities that could support emerging technologies. So, we work with clients to help them think of new ways to present their technology and receive funding for their solutions.

For example, we worked with a client focused on AI data processing who was using a traditional hardware approach. We identified an opportunity to reposition their architecture to align with a lesser-known innovation program, helped craft a targeted proposal and they secured funding. It is proof that vendors can add value by not only educating agencies on their capabilities but also guiding them toward untapped opportunities to fund and implement them.

Join Us This Fall

In October, we will be co-hosting a strategy session with our partner ̽��Ƶ to discuss these and other issues. We will discuss current market trends and provide attendees with insights into crafting winning sales strategies that drive traction. We will cover what it takes to get agency attention, how to build messaging that resonates and how to position each solution as the one that helps Government teams deliver on their mission.

We hope you will join us!

̽��Ƶ. is The Trusted Government IT Solutions Provider, supporting Public Sector organizations across Federal, State and Local Government agencies and Education and Healthcare markets. As the Master Government Aggregator for our vendor partners, including Marion Square we deliver solutions for Geospatial, Cybersecurity, MultiCloud, DevSecOps, Artificial Intelligence, Customer Experience and Engagement, Open Source and more. Working with resellers, systems integrators and consultants, our sales and marketing teams provide industry leading IT products, services and training through hundreds of contract vehicles. Explore the ̽��Ƶ Blog to learn more about the latest trends in Government technology markets and solutions, as well as ̽��Ƶ’s ecosystem of partner thought-leaders.

How “America by Design” Will Transform Federal Services

Posted on by Tiffany Goddard

Consistent, accessible design allows customers to easily access and navigate Federal services.

The recent executive order (EO), “,” aims to modernize and improve the visual presentation of digital and physical Federal Government services.

Facilitated by a new Chief Design Officer and National Design Studio (NDS), this initiative aims to reduce duplicative costs, utilize standardized designs to enhance trust in high-impact service providers (HISPs) and improve the quality of experiences across the nation.

A New Executive Order for Digital Excellence Across the Federal Government

The EO establishes the initiative “America by Design,” which aims to modernize and improve the visual presentation and usability of Federal Government services. The initiative seeks to address the costly maintenance of legacy systems while dramatically enhancing the user experience (UX). This action plan will be facilitated through the new position of Chief Design Officer in the White House’s NDS. The Chief Design Officer will coordinate with thought leaders, researchers and design experts to implement standardized, aesthetically pleasing design solutions across both Federal websites and physical services. It is recommended that agency heads consult with the Chief Design Officer to implement the America by Design standards in their respective agency. Results must be delivered by July 4, 2026. While the NDS is a temporary creation that will terminate in three years, the design standards implemented will have an enduring impact.

Why Design Matters in CX

The recent initiative ensures Government-wide compliance with Federal policies, such as the 21^st Century Integrated Digital Experience Act (IDEA), which laid out requirements for digital services, and the U.S. Web Design System (USWDS) code, a visual style guide for Government websites. Together, these standards aim to reduce duplication, minimize customer support needs and improve the overall interoperability of systems. Standardized, accessible design improves customer experience (CX) and reduces costs.

Customer-focused design promotes standardization across Federal websites, maintaining consistency and compliance with the USWDS code. Standardized web designs increase efficiency and trust, as users recognize and find confidence in navigating across Federal spaces. These design standards also aim to replace legacy systems, which are costly, bog down users and erode efficiency in Government services. Overall, improved design correlates to operational efficiency, cost savings and service effectiveness.

The EO marks a pivotal modernization moment for CX. By creating standards for a seamless, customer-first experience, Improving Our Nation Through Better Design champions service excellence through design that is consistent, aesthetically pleasing and accessible.

̽��Ƶ and its partners are equipped to connect agencies with the latest compliant technology for CX and design. To learn more about the solutions that can help your agency achieve the requirements detailed in this recent EO, check out ̽��Ƶ’s Website Modernization and Mobile Enhancement Solutions. To revisit the 21^st Century IDEA and the US Web Design System initiatives, read our past blogs, Government Experience: Modernizing Websites and Enhancing Federal Customer Experience with Digital Transformation. Take our quiz to identify the CX technology solution area that can enhance your Government customer experience delivery.����

Streamlining Federal Identity Management: How Okta Workflows Accelerate Cost Savings for Government��

Posted on by Steve Jacyna

The OneGov strategy signals a major shift toward unified, efficient Government operations, breaking down technology silos and enabling agencies to work as a coordinated entity. At the core of this change is the need for modern identity management solutions that can automate complex processes while upholding top security standards. Automation can save agencies time, budget and drive outcomes for tool consolidation efforts. Okta Workflows provides Federal agencies with a no-code automation platform that simplifies identity operations and promotes collaboration across agencies.

Breaking Down Identity Silos Through No-Code Automation

Traditional identity management in Government often involves fragmented, manual processes that create operational bottlenecks and security vulnerabilities. Okta Workflows directly addresses these challenges by providing a unified automation engine that connects disparate systems without requiring custom coding. The platform’s pre-built connectors, reusable templates and Application Programming Interface (API) integrations enable agencies to orchestrate identity lifecycle events across multiple applications and cloud environments seamlessly.

This approach eliminates the need for point solutions and manual workarounds that have historically contributed to siloed operations. By centralizing identity automation, agencies can ensure consistent policy execution across business units while maintaining complete audit trails for compliance reporting.

Enhancing Cross-Agency Collaboration and Security

Okta Workflows excels in supporting the OneGov vision of cross-agency collaboration through its robust security framework and automation capabilities. With FedRAMP High authorization and Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 140-2 validated cryptography, the platform meets the Government’s most stringent security requirements while enabling streamlined operations.

The solution automates essential identity processes, including:

Joiner/mover/leaver workflows using Human Resources (HR) data and custom triggers

Complex account creation with automated app assignments based on user attributes such as organizational unit and clearance level

Real-time provisioning and deprovisioning across Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) applications, including Azure AD, Office 365 and Salesforce

These automated workflows greatly reduce the workload on IT staff by decreasing password-reset tickets and access requests, while ensuring consistent policy enforcement across all systems.

Accelerating Productivity While Maintaining Security Standards

Government agencies face mounting pressure to deliver services more efficiently while maintaining strict security protocols. Okta Workflows addresses this challenge by dramatically reducing the time and effort required for routine identity management tasks. The platform’s automation capabilities free IT personnel from repetitive administrative work, allowing them to focus on mission-critical initiatives.

The solution’s alignment with Zero Trust principles further enhances security posture by enforcing least privilege access, enabling continuous authentication and providing automated deprovisioning capabilities. This ensures that access rights are consistently managed throughout the user lifecycle, reducing security risks associated with delayed access revocations when personnel change roles or leave the organization.

Simplified Procurement and Deployment

Recognizing that Federal agencies often operate with limited technical resources, Okta Workflows is designed for rapid deployment and easy adoption. The no-code interface enables teams to build and implement identity automation processes without specialized programming skills. Pre-built templates and connectors accelerate time to value while minimizing the technical burden on agency staff.

The solution is readily accessible through the General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule, providing Federal buyers with a compliant procurement path featuring pre-negotiated pricing and terms. This streamlined approach eliminates lengthy contract negotiations and enables agencies to acquire the tools needed to support their modernization objectives quickly. ̽��Ƶ and Okta have collaborated to ensure the solution is available across major contracting vehicles with pricing structured to deliver optimal value, including:

Solutions for Enterprise-Wide Procurement (SEWP)

Information Technology Enterprise Solutions (ITES)

2nd Generation Information Technology (2GIT)

Supporting the Modern Federal Workforce

As Government agencies continue their digital transformation journey, the need for sophisticated yet accessible automation tools has become increasingly critical. Okta Workflows provides the foundation for agencies to modernize their identity operations while supporting the broader OneGov vision of unified, efficient Government services.

The platform’s combination of enterprise-grade security, intuitive automation capabilities and seamless integration with existing Government systems positions it as an ideal solution for agencies seeking to enhance productivity while maintaining strict compliance requirements.

Ready to transform your agency’s identity management and join the OneGov movement? Contact our Okta team at ̽��Ƶ today or call us at (833) 674-3990 to learn more and take advantage of this limited-time offer.

̽��Ƶ. is The Trusted Government IT Solutions Provider, supporting Public Sector organizations across Federal, State and Local Government agencies and Education and Healthcare markets. As the Master Government Aggregator for our vendor partners, including Okta we deliver solutions for Geospatial, Cybersecurity, MultiCloud, DevSecOps, Artificial Intelligence, Customer Experience and Engagement, Open Source and more. Working with resellers, systems integrators and consultants, our sales and marketing teams provide industry leading IT products, services and training through hundreds of contract vehicles. Explore the ̽��Ƶ Blog to learn more about the latest trends in Government technology markets and solutions, as well as ̽��Ƶ’s ecosystem of partner thought-leaders.

Maximizing Federal IT Investments Through Udemy’s Strategic Workforce Development��

Posted on by Tim Boltz

The Federal Government continues to invest billions in cutting-edge technology and digital transformation initiatives, yet many agencies struggle to realize the full return on these investments. The challenge is not always the technology itself, but ensuring the Federal workforce has the technical and soft skills needed to keep pace with rapidly evolving systems and processes. Udemy Business addresses this critical gap by offering comprehensive, on-demand training that upskills and reskills Federal employees, ensuring agencies maximize their IT investment returns while building a more capable, adaptable workforce.

Secure, Cross-Agency Learning Architecture

Federal agencies require training solutions that meet stringent security standards while enabling collaboration across organizational boundaries. Udemy Business delivers on both fronts through its secure cloud-hosted platform that complies with industry standards for data protection. The platform’s role-based controls allow administrators to manage permissions appropriately while maintaining security protocols.

Udemy Business delivers relevant training content with customized learning paths that are tailored to specific roles, compliance requirements and interagency goals. This capability ensures that workforce development efforts align with both individual agency missions and broader Government-wide objectives.

Udemy Business is aligned with the OneGov strategy. Udemy Business unifies agencies and breaks down technology silos that have historically fragmented Government operations. Udemy’s extensive on-demand content library directly supports this vision by providing Federal employees with access to both technical and soft skills training across agency boundaries. Agencies can leverage Udemy’s training platform to ensure consistent skill development that ensures customers receive the largest return on IT investments. Udemy Business enables agencies to better coordinate their technology initiatives, as employees across different departments develop shared competencies in emerging technologies, project management and collaborative workflows that are essential for cross-agency success.

Building AI and Zero Trust Capabilities

As Federal agencies increasingly adopt artificial intelligence (AI) and Zero Trust security frameworks, workforce preparedness becomes critical for successful implementation. Udemy provides comprehensive AI courses that teach machine simulation of human intelligence processes, knowledge that is essential for developers, researchers and anyone working with cutting-edge Government technology initiatives.

The platform also offers extensive Zero Trust security courses that help Federal teams understand and implement Zero Trust principles effectively. This training capability is particularly valuable as agencies work to maintain pace with the evolving cybersecurity climate and protect sensitive Government data and systems.

Streamlined Deployment and Accessibility

Government environments often present unique deployment challenges, particularly for agencies with limited technical resources. Udemy Business addresses these concerns through its cloud-based architecture that supports remote access from anywhere with an internet connection. This flexibility proves especially valuable for distributed Federal workforces and agencies operating across multiple locations.

The platform’s straightforward deployment model eliminates many of the technical barriers that can slow adoption in Government environments, allowing agencies to begin training initiatives quickly without extensive infrastructure investments or complex integration projects.

Enhanced Value Through Strategic Partnership

̽��Ƶ and Udemy have collaborated to make workforce development more accessible and affordable for Federal agencies. Udemy Business Licenses are available through GSA contracts via ̽��Ƶ, providing customers with established procurement pathways and additional savings opportunities. The partnership extends to other contract vehicles as well, giving agencies flexibility in their procurement approaches.

Currently, eligible Government customers can access additional savings of up to 50% off manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) through this strategic partnership. This promotion remains effective through the end of Federal fiscal year 25, providing agencies with a limited-time opportunity to invest in workforce development at significantly reduced costs.

The convergence of technological advancement, workforce development needs and strategic cost savings presents Federal agencies with a compelling opportunity to strengthen their human capital investments.

Ready to transform your agency’s workforce development strategy? Contact the Udemy team at ̽��Ƶ or to discover how comprehensive, on-demand training can maximize your IT investments while building the skilled Federal workforce of tomorrow.

̽��Ƶ. is The Trusted Government IT Solutions Provider, supporting Public Sector organizations across Federal, State and Local Government agencies and Education and Healthcare markets. As the Master Government Aggregator for our vendor partners, including Udemy Business, we deliver solutions for Geospatial, Cybersecurity, MultiCloud, DevSecOps, Artificial Intelligence, Customer Experience and Engagement, Open Source and more. Working with resellers, systems integrators and consultants, our sales and marketing teams provide industry leading IT products, services and training through hundreds of contract vehicles. Explore the ̽��Ƶ Blog to learn more about the latest trends in Government technology markets and solutions, as well as ̽��Ƶ’s ecosystem of partner thought-leaders.

Maximize Federal Data Protection with Commvault’s End-of-Fiscal-Year Bundle��

Posted on by Bryan Jenkins

As Federal agencies approach the final stretch of fiscal year 2025, the challenge of securing comprehensive data security coverage while maximizing remaining budget dollars has become increasingly critical. Commvault has partnered with ̽��Ƶ to deliver a strategic end-of-fiscal-year opportunity that combines substantial cost savings with the highest level of Federal security authorization available in the data protection market.

Consolidating Data Protection Under a Single Platform

Federal agencies often work with a range of vendors to meet their diverse data protection needs, which can introduce added complexity, training considerations and operational demands. Commvault’s Data Protection Bundle addresses this challenge by unifying data protection, Active Directory protection and air-gapped data security capabilities under one comprehensive platform.

This consolidation approach delivers measurable operational benefits that extend beyond cost reduction. Agencies can significantly minimize the time required for deployment and training, reduce management costs and improve their response capabilities during critical events such as ransomware attacks or data loss incidents. When every minute counts in a recovery scenario, having a unified platform can mean the difference between rapid restoration and extended downtime.

Setting the Security Standard with FedRAMP High Authorization

Federal agencies operate under stringent security requirements that often limit their technology choices, particularly when handling sensitive or classified information. Commvault distinguishes itself as the only data protection provider to achieve FedRAMP High authorization while maintaining availability across all major cloud platforms.

This security credential represents the highest level of authorization available for cloud services serving Government customers, demonstrating Commvault’s ability to meet the most demanding Federal security standards. For agencies required to maintain strict compliance protocols, this authorization eliminates the complexity of lengthy security evaluations while ensuring their data protection solution meets or exceeds all regulatory requirements.

Simplifying Deployment Across Diverse Government Environments

Government agencies face unique infrastructure challenges, from legacy on-premises systems to modern cloud deployments, often with varying levels of technical resources and expertise. Commvault’s unified platform architecture addresses these challenges by maintaining consistency across all deployment scenarios—whether on-premises, cloud, virtual or physical environments.

Since the underlying code remains consistent across all implementations, agencies experience significantly reduced deployment times compared to managing multiple vendor solutions. This consistency also translates to streamlined training processes and lower administrative overhead, particularly valuable for agencies with limited technical staff or those supporting geographically distributed operations.

Leveraging Strategic Procurement Advantages

The Data Protection Bundle is readily available through General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule contracting, providing Federal buyers with the streamlined procurement process they understand and trust. This availability is enhanced by ̽��Ƶ’s partnership with Commvault to offer additional savings of up to 60% off manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP)—savings that stack on top of existing GSA Schedule discounts that agencies have historically leveraged.

While the focus remains on end-of-fiscal-year procurement opportunities, Commvault has committed to honoring this pricing structure through the end of the calendar year, providing agencies with flexibility in their planning and implementation timelines.

Supporting Widespread Federal Adoption

Commvault’s platform is already deployed across numerous Federal agencies, spanning both Department of Defense (DoD) and civilian organizations. Many of these agencies utilize Commvault to protect shared environments through a single unified platform, demonstrating the solution’s ability to scale across diverse Government requirements while maintaining the security boundaries and operational control that Federal organizations require.

This existing Federal footprint provides new adopters with confidence in the platform’s proven ability to meet government-specific mandates while offering opportunities for knowledge sharing and best practice development across agency lines.

Federal agencies looking to strengthen their data protection capabilities while maximizing end-of-fiscal-year budget efficiency should evaluate how Commvault’s comprehensive bundle addresses their mission-critical requirements. With proven FedRAMP High authorization, substantial cost savings and streamlined GSA procurement, this solution offers a strategic pathway to enhanced data security and operational efficiency.

to discover how this end-of-fiscal-year opportunity can strengthen your agency’s data protection strategy and deliver significant cost savings.

̽��Ƶ. is The Trusted Government IT Solutions Provider, supporting Public Sector organizations across Federal, State and Local Government agencies and Education and Healthcare markets. As the Master Government Aggregator for our vendor partners, including Commvault we deliver solutions for Geospatial, Cybersecurity, MultiCloud, DevSecOps, Artificial Intelligence, Customer Experience and Engagement, Open Source and more. Working with resellers, systems integrators and consultants, our sales and marketing teams provide industry leading IT products, services and training through hundreds of contract vehicles. Explore the ̽��Ƶ Blog to learn more about the latest trends in Government technology markets and solutions, as well as ̽��Ƶ’s ecosystem of partner thought-leaders.