Beyond the FAR

Latest Episodes:

People Before Rules: The Future of the Federal Acquisition Workforce Sep 11, 2026

Show notes

This week on Beyond the FAR, host Jessica Tillipman welcomes Will Roberts, a former contracting officer, and former Chief of Acquisition for the Department of Defense’s Joint Artificial Intelligence Center. Roberts discusses the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul, alternative acquisition pathways, artificial intelligence procurement, and the future of the federal acquisition workforce. Drawing on his experience in government and acquisition education, he examines the shift toward mission-focused, principles-based procurement and the importance of empowering contracting professionals to exercise sound judgment. The conversation offers valuable insights for law students, attorneys, acquisition professionals, and others navigating a rapidly changing federal procurement landscape.

Negotiating Innovation: Technology Procurement in the AI Era Aug 28, 2026

Show notes

This week on Beyond the FAR, host Jessica Tillipman is joined by Arash Heidarian and Phil Carter of Google and GW Law to explore the evolving intersection of technology and government procurement. Drawing on the innovative course they teach at GW Law, Government Procurement of Technology, the discussion examines how agencies acquire cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and other rapidly evolving technologies while balancing commercial practices with federal procurement requirements. The episode also explores technology negotiations, shared responsibility models, cybersecurity, data rights, and the growing importance of AI literacy for the next generation of government contracts attorneys.

The Global Fight Against Corruption in Government Procurement Aug 19, 2026

Show notes

This week on Beyond the FAR, host Jessica Tillipman welcomes Professor Sope Williams, one of the world’s leading scholars of comparative public procurement law and the newest member of GW Law’s Government Procurement Law Program. Their conversation explores the intersection of procurement, anti-corruption, and governance, drawing on Professor Williams’ research across Africa and Europe. Together, they discuss how corruption undermines procurement systems, the challenges of balancing efficiency with accountability, the lessons of South Africa’s state capture experience, and the growing importance of gender-responsive procurement. The episode offers valuable global perspectives for students, practitioners, and policymakers alike.

One Year Into the FAR Overhaul: A Conversation with Polly Hall May 28, 2026

Show notes

This week on Beyond the FAR, host Jessica Tillipman welcomes Polly Hall, GSA’s Chief Advisor for Acquisition Innovation and Policy and Executive Lead of the practitioner workstream for the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO). Marking one year since the executive order that launched the RFO, the conversation explores the policy changes, workforce strategy, and cultural transformation driving one of the most consequential procurement reform efforts in decades. Hall discusses acquisition innovation, practitioner engagement, leadership accountability, and the shift from a "check the box" acquisition culture toward one centered on mission outcomes, strategic judgment, and thoughtful risk-taking in federal procurement.

Trust but Verify: AI Hallucinations and the Future of Government Procurement Litigation Apr 28, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of Beyond the FAR, host Jessica Tillipman is joined by David P.J. Timm, a government contracts litigator, to examine the growing risks associated with generative AI misuse in Government procurement litigation. The discussion focuses on the rise of “hallucinated” legal citations, the increasing presence of AI-driven errors in bid protests, and the implications for tribunals and practitioners. Timm explores how both pro se litigants and law firms are contributing to the problem, as well as the broader risks to the integrity of the procurement system. The episode also considers potential safeguards and the importance of verification in an AI-enabled legal landscape.

Innovation, AI, and Acquisition Reform: The Future of Government Procurement Mar 10, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of Beyond the FAR, host Jessica Tillipman speaks with Scott Simpson, an acquisition professional known for advancing procurement innovation across the federal government. Simpson discusses his work with the Department of Homeland Security’s Procurement Innovation Lab, his role supporting acquisition reform initiatives, and his current work exploring artificial intelligence applications within government procurement. The conversation highlights the importance of experimentation, learning from failure, and empowering contracting professionals to innovate within the framework of procurement law. For law students and practitioners alike, the episode offers practical insights into how policy, technology, and creative problem-solving can transform the acquisition process.

Beyond Borders: How Tariffs and Policy Shifts Are Reshaping Global Procurement Law Feb 19, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of Beyond the FAR, host Jessica Tillipman is joined by Professor Christopher Yukins to examine how recent U.S. trade policies, tariff measures, and procurement reforms are reshaping the global procurement landscape. The discussion explores the international response to U.S. policy shifts, the impact of tariffs on government supply chains, and the resulting strain on trust between allied procurement systems. Yukins also considers how evolving FAR reforms, European regulatory developments, and market distortions may affect contractors and governments worldwide. For students and practitioners, the episode offers a timely analysis of procurement law’s growing role in international economic policy.

You can follow Christopher Yukins and read his latest pieces at https://publicprocurementinternational.com/

The Erosion of Oversight: Combating Fraud, Waste, and Abuse in Federal Procurement Dec 18, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Beyond the FAR, host Jessica Tillipman examines the role of oversight in combating fraud, waste, and abuse in federal procurement at a time of heightened scrutiny and institutional change. Joined by Robert Storch, former Senate-confirmed Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Defense, the discussion explores how inspectors general function as independent watchdogs, the legal distinctions between fraud, waste, and abuse, and the importance of whistleblower protections. The conversation also addresses recent challenges to the oversight infrastructure and the consequences of weakening independent accountability mechanisms for procurement integrity and public trust.

The Shrinking Small Business Landscape: FAR Reform and a Consolidating Federal Market Dec 08, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Beyond the FAR, host Jessica Tillipman speaks with Sam Le, former SBA Director of Policy, Planning, and Liaison, to examine the state of U.S. federal small business contracting amid unprecedented regulatory change. Together, they unpack the FAR overhaul, the legality and implications of the Model Deviations, the shifting understanding of small business success metrics, and the expanding pressure created by consolidation under GSA. Lee offers historical context, policy insights, and a candid assessment of how these changes may affect competition, compliance, and the overall health of the small business industrial base.

Follow Sam Le on his substack: https://www.govconintelligence.com/

The Talent Valley of Death: Reforming the Workforce Before the Rules Nov 12, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Beyond the FAR, host Jessica Tillipman speaks with Bonnie Evangelista, Karen Thornton, and John Willison about the “talent valley of death” facing U.S. federal acquisition. As sweeping policy reform—including the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul—promises speed, innovation, and empowered contracting officers, the panel asks whether the acquisition workforce is prepared to carry it forward. They examine persistent challenges in cultivating critical thinking, experiential learning, cross-agency mobility, and mission-driven culture. A central question emerges: Can meaningful reform succeed without first investing in people? Their conversation underscores the need to redefine education, leadership, and talent development to ensure reform endures.

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