The Buzz with ACT-IAC

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ICYMI: Lessons Learned and Best Practices in C-SCRM Feb 22, 2023

Show notes

This week, The Buzz presents a session from ACT-IAC's January C-SCRM Forum.
The federal government has identified Cybersecurity Supply Chain Risk Management (C-SCRM) as one of the pillars of a safe and secure IT environment. In the wake of the SolarWinds attack, the Biden Administration released EO 14028, mandating enhanced C-SCRM practices in the federal acquisitions process.
In this panel, you'll hear how some agencies are instituting these policies and what they've learned throughout the process.
Panelists:
Shon Lyublonavits - C-SCRM Initiatives Lead, CISA
Rajiv Uppal - Acting CIO, CMS
Kevin Cox - Deputy Chief Information Officer, DOJ

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Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform to never miss an episode! For more from ACT-IAC, follow us on LinkedIn or visit http://www.actiac.org.
Learn more about membership at https://www.actiac.org/join.
Donate to ACT-IAC at https://actiac.org/donate.
Intro/Outro Music: See a Brighter Day/Gloria Tells
Courtesy of Epidemic Sound
(Episodes 1-159: Intro/Outro Music: Focal Point/Young Community
Courtesy of Epidemic Sound)

A Federal Quantum Primer with Tim Gilday and Sabina Sokol Feb 16, 2023

Show notes

Even for those with significant experience in the technology field, the concept of quantum computing can feel intimidating. After all, it is a field involving the notoriously complex theories governing subatomic particles, the physical engineering challenges of supercomputer construction, and the higher-level mathematics of computer cryptography.
And if that sentence made your head spin, then this episode of The Buzz might be a good place to start. The potential applications of quantum computing make it an area of research for the federal government, and while the technology is still in its infancy, we should be prepared for what it may bring in the near future.
So to help us understand why quantum computing matters, we're joined by Tim Gilday and Sabina Sokol, Industry Chair and Resource Management & Education Advisor, respectively, for ACT-IAC's Quantum Knowledge Group.
Resources:
Quantum Panel from Emerging Tech Conference 2022
Sabina's Briefing on Federal Quantum Cyber Guidance
Learn more at Girls in Quantum
Register for the 2023 Emerging Technology Conference from May 7th - 9th!
Use code EARLYBIRD for $75 off registration until February 28th.

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The Innovation Delusion and the Value of Maintenance with Andrew Russell and Lee Vinsel Feb 07, 2023

Show notes

"Innovation" is one of those words that has, unfortunately, been used so frequently as to almost be without meaning. What began as an economic term to describe productivity gains from technology, has morphed into a catch-all for anything new or different, regardless of whether it improves our lives or not.
The pursuit of this nebulous idea of innovation as an ultimate goal has crowded out much of the important, less exciting work that keeps our world functioning. We idolize "innovators" and "disruptors", but undervalue the simple, daily tasks of maintenance necessary for the upkeep of both our physical and digital infrastructure.
This week on The Buzz, we're joined by Andrew Russell and Lee Vinsel, authors of the book, "The Innovation Delusion" and co-founders of The Maintainers, a global research network studying the concepts of maintenance, infrastructure, repair, and the myriad forms of labor and expertise that sustain our human-built world.
More from The Maintainers at https://themaintainers.org/
Referenced in this episode:

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The Power Law with Sebastian Mallaby Jan 31, 2023

Show notes

In the annals of tech history, few places carry as weighty a reputation as Silicon Valley. The very name is synonymous with the US technology sector. Somehow, this small region of Northern California has managed to produce nearly all of the most successful and most dominant technology companies in modern history. To the untrained eye, the story of Silicon Valley appears almost magical.
Yet to this week's guest, the success of Silicon Valley is perfectly logical, and indeed, replicable, under the right conditions. The key is venture capital.
In his book, The Power Law: Venture Capital and the Making of the New Future, journalist Sebastian Mallaby, examines the unique attributes that enabled the venture capital system to produce such rapid innovation, in Silicon Valley and beyond.

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A Peek Behind the Curtains of Federal Procurement Jan 19, 2023

Show notes

This week, the Buzz presents a presentation from our Small Business Alliance.
The ACT-IAC Small Business Alliance is member community chartered to promote the interests and contributions of small businesses in the federal contracting space.
In this presentation, veteran contracting specialist and educator William Randolph will give a peek behind the curtains of federal procurement and help small businesses get a leg up in understanding and competing for federal contracts.
William Randolph is the Chief Executive Officer of THINK Acquisition. William was selected into the Senior Executive Service (SES). He is a decorated United States Navy veteran (1998-1993), a David Packard Excellence in Acquisition Award winner (2008) and the recipient of the Navy/Marine Corps Meritorious Civil Service medal (2009). In August 2016, William retired from the federal government with over 26 years of public service.
This presentation previously aired on our webinar platform and has been edited for time.
Learn more about the Small Business Alliance here!

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ICYMI: The Francis Rose Sessions Jan 10, 2023

Show notes

This week, the Buzz presents some more highlights from last year's ELC conference.
Veteran broadcaster and interviewer Francis Rose closed out ELC 2022 with two insightful interviews about how federal agencies are carrying out IT modernization efforts.
First, Francis interviewed Guy Torres, Deputy Chief Procurement Officer at the IRS and experienced federal acquisitions specialist.
Next, Francis sat down with Danielle Metz, recently named Director of the Information Management and Technology Directorate in the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD).
You can get access to all of last year's ELC sessions online here: https://web.cvent.com/event/1635a9e7-5864-4abe-b742-6a3abfe9d325/summary
Save your spot at ELC 2023 now and save $75 with code EARLYBIRD!

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Rejuvenating the Civil Service Jan 05, 2023

Show notes

Much like the government's legacy IT systems, the federal workforce has grown a bit long in the tooth. Based on OPM data collected in 2017, it is estimated that roughly 30% of the federal workforce will be eligible for retirement this year. In addition, more than 70% of the federal civil service is older than 40, and fewer than 1 in 10 are younger than 30.
For the federal government to provide effective services and confront the challenges of today, it must build a workforce that is skilled, energetic, and technologically savvy - none of which can be accomplished without the help of younger Americans, few of which currently choose to make careers in the public sector.
This week on the Buzz, we're looking at how to change that, as well as hearing perspectives from some young civil servants on federal employment.
Guests:
Michelle Amante - Vice President of Federal Workforce Programs at the Partnership for Public Service
Brianna Stinsman - 2022 USAID Payne Fellow
Railyn Moyers - Digital Content Specialist at the GSA
Resources for this episode:

Find all open federal jobs at https://www.usajobs.gov/
Pew Research Centers Data on Gen Z

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2022: Year in Review Dec 21, 2022

Show notes

For our last episode of 2022, The Buzz is revisiting some of the big ideas from the last year in the federal technology sector. We'll return in 2023. Happy Holidays!
References:
Unpacking DeFi and Financial Risk
How Government Built This Series at Bureau of the Fiscal Service
Building Trust Through Service Design
Brookings data on disparate impact of PPP loans
Episodes about Estonian Digital Society:
Carmen Raal
Taavi Kotka
Recording of the 12/14/22 Senate Banking Committee Hearing courtesy of C-SPAN

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ICYMI: The CX Journey of High-Impact Service Providers Dec 07, 2022

Show notes

This week, The Buzz presents a panel from our 2022 CX Summit.
High-Impact Service Providers (HISPs) are federal entities that provide necessary services directly to the American public, as designated by the Office of Management and Budget. In this panel discussion, customer experience leaders at some of our nation's most critical agencies break down their service delivery efforts.
Panelists:
Lee Becker (Moderator) - Senior VP, Public Sector & Healthcare, Medallia
Nicole Callahan - Voice of the Customer, Customer Analytics at Federal Student Aid, Department of Education
Amber Chaudry - Customer Experience Lead, Department of Housing & Urban Development
Vashon Citizen - Digital Services Division Chief, Office of Access and Information Services at U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services
Kenneth Corbin - Chief Taxpayer Experience Officer, Internal Revenue Service
Ben Sweezy - Director of Federal Digital Strategy, Salesforce

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ICYMI: GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan on Making Government Serve the People Nov 30, 2022

Show notes

This week, The Buzz presents a keynote session from ACT-IAC's ELC 2022 Conference.
GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan joined Winnie Lin, VP of Government and Administrative Services at Peraton, to share how the GSA is helping to upgrade the federal government to improve service delivery to the American people. They discuss the Technology Modernization Fund, the President's Management Agenda, and the GSA's sustainability investments to combat resilient infrastructure.
You can get access to all of this year's ELC sessions online here: https://web.cvent.com/event/1635a9e7-5864-4abe-b742-6a3abfe9d325/summary

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