As the government technology media continues to keep tabs on the uncertainty resulting from the flood of executive orders and the activities of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), reporters this week have also turned their attention to the effects of those actions on contractors. Below, we offer a roundup of that news and more.
GovCon Response to DOGE, DEI Actions
We saw quite a few publications attempt to tackle contractors’ responses (or lack thereof) to recent Trump administration actions:
- Jason Miller of Federal News Network noted that government contractors have been “unusually quiet” regarding administration actions such as contract cancellations.
- A piece in Breaking Defense by Valerie Insinna and Michael Marrow focused on how defense contractors are “beating a hasty retreat” from their previous commitments to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).
- Contractors are reviewing DEI policies out of concern of running afoul of a new Trump executive order, according to an analysis by Nick Wakeman in Washington Technology.
- Also in Washington Technology, Ross Wilkers interviewed Natalie Alms of sister publication Nextgov/FCW for an overview of recent DOGE activities on the WT 360 podcast.
- Along similar lines, Bloomberg Law published a deep dive by Isabel Gottlieb on how government contractors are scrambling to respond to the administration’s new rules on DEI.
- Professional Services Council President David Berteau has been making the media rounds:
- In an interview with Tom Temin for Federal News Network, Berteau discussed contractors’ concerns about cancelled contracts with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
- Megan Norris of Homeland Security Today reported on Berteau’s letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio warning that contractors are suffering adverse effects due to Trump’s recent order on foreign aid.
- Berteau was also quoted on the ongoing general confusion within the government contracting community in an article by Mimi Montgomery for Axios.
- In addition, he will appear on a panel on an upcoming segment of “Fed Gov Today” with host Francis Rose to discuss the recent “turbulence in government contracting.”
Focus on AI Continues
While the executive orders and DOGE command lots of attention, the media’s interest in AI has not diminished. A number of publications reported on new developments:
- In widely covered remarks, Vice President JD Vance told industry and attendees at the Paris AI Summit that innovation and competition with China would be bigger priorities than ensuring AI safety. Derek B. Johnson shared his take on those comments in CyberScoop.
- The White House is seeking feedback on its AI action plan while Congress considers a new AI task force and a move to codify the AI Safety Institute, according to coverage by Weslan Hansen in MeriTalk.
- Edward Graham covered a congressional hearing for Nextgov/FCW in which Republicans solicited input from industry on policies to enable manufacturers to successfully leverage AI.
- Graham also reported this week on Congress’ efforts to bar federal employees from downloading Chinese startup DeepSeek’s AI chatbot app onto government-issued devices due to security concerns. In StateScoop, Keely Quinlan wrote that New York State officials have already implemented a ban.
- NASA is preparing a significant update to its core Flight System, enhanced with new AI capabilities, reported by Debra Werner in industry publication Space News.
- In DOGE-related AI news, MeriTalk’s Grace Dille noted concerns raised by congressional Democrats about DOGE feeding sensitive Education Department data into AI software.
- In state/local government tech publication Route 50, Chris Teale shared comments by a California congressman on the need for lawmakers to address the “patchwork” of competing state laws governing AI. In other coverage, Teale spoke to an array of observers who said state officials are determined to push forward with AI initiatives, despite the “head-spinning” changes brought about by recent pronouncements from the Trump administration.
- Also in Route 50, Kaitlyn Levinson reported that AI translations proved a boon for Los Angeles County law enforcement as they shared information on the recent wildfires there.
Thanks for reading. I’ll be back next week to update you on more trending news in government tech media. Enjoy the Presidents Day weekend!