WT 360: The market from all angles

When publicly traded companies release their financial results, the most interesting aspect of the conference calls have little to do with the numbers themselves and everything to do with trends across the market.Luis Avila, a managing director in BDO’s technology and transformation practice, joins our Ross Wilkers for this episode that is also a note-swapping exercise of sorts. Both listened to the most recent round of GovCon investor calls in their respective roles of research and analysis, plus journalism.The Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency, the race to technology superiority, supply chain health and wealth, and new entrants all were themes of those calls and feature in the conversation between Luis and Ross.Keep in mind throughout their conversation that government contractors have their own unique approach to transparency, given their customers have publicly available budgets and policy documents.Parsons explores 2 growth pathways for missile defenseLeidos eyes missile defense, border security tech as growth avenuesMaximus CEO sees tech modernization as opportunity in Trump's efficiency pushHow the CEOs of Booz Allen, L3Harris view DOGE's visionCACI's CEO weighs in on efficiency and acquisitionLockheed's CEO: Efficiency push is 'an opportunity' for both industry and government

It goes without saying that success in the government contracting ecosystem requires more than just having good methodologies and processes, both of which are significantly enhanced by strategy and knowledge.Amber Hart and Lisa Shea Mundt, cofounders of The Pulse of GovCon, believe that taking a true “BD 360” approach to the market means enhancing all aspects of the federal sales process with the goal of achieving an intuitive understanding of how agencies buy things.They have now put permanency to their concept in the form of a book aptly named BD 360, from which the ideas in it are the foundation for this episode with our Ross Wilkers.Legislation, policy and knowing how people work is where much of the conversation centers around. Yes, they talk about proposals too.

Few doubt that quantum computing will have a tremendous impact on the tech world and beyond.But as NextGovFCW's emerging technology reporter Alexandra Kelley explains in this episode, it is important to look beyond the buzzwords and assumptions."Alexa," as we and other GovExec colleagues call her, walks Editor Nick Wakeman through some common misconceptions that include why just using the term “quantum” is imprecise. Some active use cases involve quantum sensing and quantum telecommunications, which are built on quantum physics principles.Alexa is tracking post-quantum cryptography and investments at the Energy, Commerce and Defense departments to build the infrastructure that would enable full-scale quantum computing.Quantum information sciences represent enormous potential that is attracting both government and private sector investment. Quantum also is one technology area where the federal government of the curve with investments, infrastructure and a variety of initiatives.AWS unveils its quantum chip prototype, OcelotMicrosoft debuts new superconductor chip designed for quantum computingDARPA taps Microsoft, PsiQuantum for scalable quantum computer researchIndustry group calls on Trump to appoint a quantum czarAgencies look to automation software to usher in next phase of post-quantum securityFY2025 NDAA angles to enhance DOD’s AI and quantum sciences capabilitiesSenators introduce quantum reauthorization bill with little time left in this CongressMicrosoft and Atom Computing unveil 24-qubit quantum machineNIST approves 14 new quantum encryption algorithms for standardizationMicrosoft and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory bring AI to quantum chemistry research

Ernst & Young needs little introduction as one of the world’s professional services Big Four firms, which gives it reach into every industry and ways of taking lessons learned from there into the public sector.How does EY go about doing so, while seeking to blend its consulting core with technology know-how? That is the starting point for this episode featuring Doree Keating, leader of the EY Americas government and public sector practice.As Keating tells our Ross Wilkers, success in any tech implementation effort begins and ends with strategic intent on the buyer’s part. Workforce expectations are a factor in that, which includes whether people will need new training or upskilling.Keating also goes over the thinking behind EY’s acquisition of Dignari in the fall, plus how she sees defense agencies in particular taking a pre-emptive approach to resilience and anti-fragility.

Government contractors reside in the unique intersection of macroeconomics and industrial policy, both of which are relevant in the conversation surrounding President Trump’s use of tariffs.Tariffs are very relevant for companies that mostly focus on services to their government customers as explained in this episode featuring Larry Sher, a government contracts attorney and partner at Winston & Strawn.Sher tells our Ross Wilkers that while companies may not know what the tariff rates will be in the long-term, they still must be foundational in how they operate and support the business of government. The regulatory framework and policy tools contractors have to get some relief for increased costs also feature in their discussion.For more information, check out these client alerts from the Winston & Strawn team:Prospective Tariffs on Goods from Mexico, Canada, and ChinaSummary of America First Trade Policy

The Department of Government Efficiency is the new Trump administration’s main vehicle for at least starting the process of change at many federal agencies and on a very fast turn.Natalie Alms, who covers federal technology policy and tech workforce matters at our partner publication NextgovFCW, broke the story that DOGE’s leader Elon Musk visited the General Services Administration’s headquarters and is asserting his influence there.What was he doing there? Nat joins our Ross Wilkers in this episode to answer that question and many others surrounding GSA’s role in the Trump 2.0 transition.Be sure to read Nat’s articles below as they take you close to the action, and are the foundation for her discussion with Ross.Senate Democrats call for DOGE to halt until details are providedMusk takes aim at GSA tech shopMusk visits and asserts growing influence at GSAMusk's role as ‘special government employee’ raises ethics questionsGSA announces new FAS, TTS leadershipGSA will ‘recommit’ to ‘founding purpose,’ says acting administratorAs the Trump administration gathers names of recent hires, some are being asked to justify their jobsTrump administration opens the door to politicize government tech executivesGregory Barbaccia named federal CIO

The first two weeks of President Trump’s second but non-consecutive term in office have brought with it a breathless pace of executive orders and other actions that government contractors must take note of.Clarity on many of those moves, including a (maybe? sort of? but not really?) freeze on certain contracting activities remains hard to come by.In this episode, Nick and Ross work through the questions that they can provide some answers to on what has happened so far. They also highlight the questions everyone in the ecosystem is seeking answers to.As they say, drop a line if you have an answer or at least part of one to help solve more of the mysteries.Where can GovCon find clarity in the Trump transition turbulence?ANALYSIS: Signs of small business shifts to watch out forGSA procurement pause sparks confusionLockheed's CEO: Efficiency push is 'an opportunity' for both industry and governmentFirst wave of DEI-related contract cancellations hit the marketContractors face greater scrutiny from anti-DEI executive ordersCACI's CEO weighs in on efficiency and acquisitionCOMMENTARY: Contractors embrace Trump's potential to modernize procurementAccenture Federal’s new CEO eyes AI-driven transformation during Trump 2.0Industry execs weigh potential impacts of presidential transition

Many questions about talent in public sector often center around the hiring process and what happens after the offer letter is signed, that being the onboarding phase.Where technology fits into agencies’ efforts at making the entire lifecycle more seamless is the focus of this episode featuring Jill Jones and Yoko Jolly, respectively chief strategy officer and federal market leader at CrossVue.In talking with our Ross Wilkers, Jones and Jolly also offer their perspectives on how agencies are addressing the challenge of scaling the tech they use for human capital management.(The survey mentioned in this episode was produced by Market Connections, which is owned by WT’s parent company GovExec)

Jacobs carved out its Critical Mission Solutions and Cyber and Intelligence businesses in late 2024, but still remains a technology company for the markets it does work in.In this episode, Shannon Miller — Jacobs' president of growth, strategy and digital — discusses how Jacobs has evolved following that divestiture of its federal-facing units to Amentum.Miller told WT Editor Nick Wakeman that Jacobs' tech strategy focuses on applying digital solutions and artificial intelligence to critical infrastructure, environmental sustainability, and life sciences challenges.That includes incorporating AI into water treatment plants, infrastructure resilience tools at Air Force bases.She also outlines Jacobs' strategic focus areas: addressing climate challenges, advancing life sciences solutions, developing sustainable transportation infrastructure, and tackling talent shortages through AI and automation.WT 360: Where Amentum wants to go next following its big mergerA reader's guide to 'New Amentum' on its launch dayWT 360: Our snap reax to Jacobs' spinoff planWT 360: Jacobs' third wave is all about data and tech

The ongoing transition to a Trump 2.0 administration is far from the only key happening that government contractors have to take note of and follow closely with 2025 now underway.But our first episode of this New Year has to start with transition talk. We do just that with the help of Stephanie Smith, GovCon industry senior analyst and valuation services director at the global professional services firm RSM.Here are the other big-picture items Smith and our Ross Wilkers went over:The nexus of macroeconomics and industrial policyCyber and supply chain security prioritiesThe U.S.’ push to regain global tech leadershipCustomer demand areas that remain paramountM&A transaction themes to watch in 2025