FedScoop hosted its annual FedTalks Sept. 6 in Washington D.C. In its 14th year, the event is the largest annual gathering of C-level executives, leaders and innovators from the government and tech community. And to kick off the packed-house event, Deputy Federal CIO Drew Myklegard spoke with me during a rapid fire session focused primarily on the evolution of cloud in the federal government and how the Biden administration is looking to transform FedRAMP to better serve agencies and cloud service providers.

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The changing federal cloud marketplace

The Biden administration recently issued draft guidance to modernize the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program, better known as FedRAMP. With that policy in draft form, the Office of Management and Budget, led by the Office of the Federal CIO, has been engaging the public to solicit feedback on the proposed guidance. And already, that effort has been quite fruitful, Drew Mkylegard, deputy federal CIO, told FedScoop recently at CyberTalks. We’ll go now to that interview for more on the direction of the FedRAMP guidance and what comes next.

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Early feedback on the administration’s draft FedRAMP guidance

The Biden administration has issued a flurry of new IT mandates and policies in recent months, from the landmark AI executive order and guidance for agencies to new directives on digital experience and modernizing FedRAMP. While it may be a lot to digest for federal CIOs and IT professionals, there’s an obvious crossover among the mandates that makes their close timing seem like more of a feature than a bug. 

Here to talk about that is Jonathan Alboum, federal CTO for ServiceNow and former CIO of the Agriculture Department.

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Analyzing the recent flurry of federal IT policies

Based on the draft guidance OMB published recently to modernize the FedRAMP cloud security authorization program, it appears the practice of enlisting vendors to build government-specific cloud enclaves could be a thing of the past. As it stands, the policy would push federal agencies to use the commercial public cloud services that vendors provide most any of their other customers rather than these Gov Clouds.

Joining The Daily Scoop Podcast to discuss that change, other details from the new FedRAMP guidance and much more is Jeanette Manfra, Global Director, Risk and Compliance at Google Cloud and former Assistant Secretary for Cybersecurity and Communications at the Department of Homeland Security.

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Making the case to move away from GovClouds

It’s been 13 years since FedRAMP was created as the federal government’s cloud security compliance program. And like any federal technology program that’s been around that long, its mission and the services it set out to provide in 2011 are very different from what agencies need today. In particular, the FedRAMP program office recently wrote in a new roadmap for the prgram that it is critical that it be well-positioned to make sure federal agencies get the full benefit of software-as-a-service (SaaS) cloud offerings, acknowledging that while FedRAMP does have some SaaS offerinfs its marketplace, it’s not nearly enough and it’s not working the way that it should.

As the General Services Administration explores the future of FedRAMP, including seeking out its next leader, the agency’s executive director for cloud strategy, Eric Mill, joins the podcast to discuss how GSA is approaching this next chapter for FedRAMP.

The future of FedRAMP

In this episode of The Daily Scoop Podcast, Eric Mill, GSA’s Executive Director for Cloud Strategy, shares comprehensive updates on the modernization of the FedRAMP program, including strategic hires and a new partnership approach aligned with the Department of Defense to enhance cloud authorizations. Additionally, the episode delves into a recent DHS report that discusses the imperative of mitigating AI's potential threats in chemical and biological security. It also features insights from a Cisco Talos report on a Chinese cyberespionage group targeting international ministries and embassies, showcasing the evolving landscape of global cybersecurity threats.

Updates on GSA’s FedRAMP modernization

The General Services Administration (GSA) has launched a new initiative to prioritize generative AI technologies in the FedRAMP cloud authorization process, aligning with a 2023 executive order. This effort focuses on accelerating the approval of AI capabilities such as chat interfaces, code generation, and image generators to enhance their integration into government systems. 

Additionally, the Chief Data Officers (CDO) Council is facing significant challenges due to the absence of essential Phase Two guidance from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), which is necessary for implementing effective data governance practices. Despite these hurdles, the CDO Council continues to support federal agencies in managing and disseminating data effectively, underscoring ongoing efforts to incorporate advanced technologies and robust data management within the federal government.

AI Prioritization in FedRAMP and CDO Council Guidance Delays

As federal agencies patiently await final modernization guidance from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) finds itself navigating through a transitional period. Congressman Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), a staunch advocate for federal IT modernization and the author of the FedRAMP Authorization Act, voiced his concerns about the program's current limbo, attributed to the absence of OMB's final guidance and exacerbated by factors like agency backlogs and the unfilled directorial role at FedRAMP. Despite these hurdles, Connolly highlighted several positive strides, noting that the situation has evolved from 'the inferno' to a more stable 'limbo.' He remains hopeful about FedRAMP's trajectory and ongoing reforms, such as the Emerging Technology Prioritization Framework spearheaded by the General Services Administration.

Simultaneously, the White House is advocating for a substantial increase in cybersecurity budgets across federal agencies to fortify the nation’s defenses, aligning with the broader goals of the Biden administration's national cyber strategy. In a pivotal memo, OMB Director Shalanda Young and National Cyber Director Harry Coker Jr. called for agency budget requests to include significant enhancements to cyber defenses, including the adoption of zero-trust architectures and the bolstering of open-source software security. The memo underscores the critical need for investments in department-wide, enterprise solutions to unify cybersecurity efforts across various mission areas, facilitating better information sharing and bolstering the nation’s resilience against burgeoning cyber threats.

Stalled FedRAMP modernization and enhanced cybersecurity funding

The White House will issue final FedRAMP modernization guidance on Friday, addressing changes in the cloud market and agency needs for diverse mission delivery. The guidance aims to reform the cloud security authorization program by focusing on strategic goals, including rigorous reviews and swift mitigation of security weaknesses by cloud service providers. The memo emphasizes an automated process for security assessments to reduce participant burden and speed up cloud solution implementation. Agencies and the General Services Administration (GSA) have deadlines ranging from 180 days to two years to align with the new requirements, ensuring continuous monitoring and the use of Open Secure Control Assessment Language (OSCAL).

In other news, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a major reorganization of its technology policy functions. The chief technology, data, and AI officer roles will move from the Assistant Secretary for Administration to the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), now also titled Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy (ASTP/ONC). The 405(d) Program will transfer to the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response. HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra stated the reorganization aims to clarify and consolidate critical functions, preparing the department for future challenges. The new ASTP/ONC office will also seek to fill permanent roles for chief technology, AI, and data officers.

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White House to release final FedRAMP guidance; HHS announces major tech and cyber reorganization

Federal agencies with highly sensitive workloads now have the opportunity to use OpenAI GPT-4o. Microsoft announced that it received FedRAMP High accreditation to offer the OpenAI generative AI platform through its Azure Government cloud. The FedRAMP High designation denotes that the OpenAI services have met a higher security threshold to work with sensitive civilian datasets, including those in the fields of health care, law enforcement, finance and emergency response, among others.

The General Services Administration has a health robotic process automation program, but in some cases, those bots are putting data and systems at risk, the agency’s inspector general found in a recent audit. In a new report, GSA’s Office of the Inspector General stated that the agency’s RPA program did not comply with IT 
security requirements to “ensure bots are operating securely and properly.” The watchdog found a slew of security issues with the bots ranging from the agency not establishing a process for removing access to decommissioned bots to a lack of monitoring and reporting bot-related activity.

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Microsoft, OpenAI get FedRAMP High authorization

Pete Waterman, a former Technology Modernization Fund adviser and U.S. Digital Services engineer, has been tapped as the new FedRAMP director, the General Services Administration announced in an internal email Monday. His appointment comes after he served at GSA as a senior technical adviser for TMF until earlier this year. Waterman, who officially started Monday, will report to Lauren Bracey Scheidt, assistant commissioner of the agency’s Technology and Transformation Services Office of Solutions, and work to “build on the FedRAMP team’s considerable transformation momentum, and guide program strategy for 2025 and beyond.” 


The Biden administration is reporting major progress in its quest to deploy half a million public chargers by the end of the decade. The Energy Department on Tuesday said that there were now more than 192,000 public charging ports available throughout the country and that since the start of President Joe Biden’s term, the number of public EV chargers has doubled. The announcement of those milestones came as the government announced more than half a billion dollars to nearly 30 states, two tribes and Washington, D.C. to build even more charging infrastructure.

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FedRAMP has a new director; the Biden administration charges ahead on electric vehicle charger goals

In this episode of Game Changers for Government Contractors, host Michael LeJeune and cybersecurity expert Gary Daemer discuss FedRAMP, an essential certification for cloud service providers looking to sell to the federal government. With over 40 years of experience in cybersecurity, Gary provides a comprehensive overview of what FedRAMP entails, who needs it, and the challenges involved. Learn about the rigorous process, timelines, costs, and ongoing maintenance requirements for certification. Gary also shares strategic advice on whether pursuing FedRAMP is right for your business and tips for leveraging resources like SBIRs to offset costs. This episode is a must-listen for contractors aiming to enter or expand in the government market.
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Ep 346: FedRAMP 101 Insights To Prepare For Certification

ESChat President/CEO Josh Lober talks about his company receiving the “In Process” designation at the Moderate impact level from the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) and the impact that the security program will have on customers during the next year.

ESChat: Josh Lober discusses new FedRAMP designation

The FedRAMP Emerging Technology Prioritization Framework, which was established last year to accelerate the use of systems like artificial intelligence in the federal cloud, has been eliminated as part of President Donald Trump’s rescission of the Biden administration’s AI executive order. A person with direct knowledge of the matter confirmed the program no longer existed. The Emerging Technology Prioritization Framework, which recently switched to a rolling application process, aimed to allow cloud service providers to request prioritization of cloud services associated with emerging technology in the FedRAMP authorization process. The framework’s final draft was issued last summer, requiring interested cloud providers to apply for prioritization by the end of August 2024. The General Services Administration, which operates the FedRAMP program, said initial determinations would be announced the following month.

Pete Hegseth, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Pentagon, was confirmed as the next secretary of defense after Vice President JD Vance cast the tiebreaking vote in the Senate Friday night. Senators voted 50-50 before Vance had to be called in to tip the balance. Hegseth will take the helm at the Defense Department as the DOD gears up for potential wars against high-tech adversaries such as China. During his confirmation process, Hegseth pledged that as defense secretary he would prioritize investments in AI, drones and counter-drone systems, among other technologies that he considers key to military modernization. Soon after his confirmation, Hegseth issued a message to the military on Saturday that expressed his intent to quickly field emerging capabilities to deter China and others.

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Trump administration scraps AI-focused framework for FedRAMP

After serving for nearly 18 months as the Department of Defense’s first-ever customer experience officer in the Office of the CIO, Savan Kong earlier this month parted ways with the Pentagon. Previously a member of the Defense Digital Service during his first tour of duty with the DOD, Kong helped build the department’s CXO office from scratch, fostering a culture that prioritizes the needs of service members, civilians, and mission partners and striving to streamline governance processes, improve transparency, and ensure that IT solutions meet  operational needs. Kong joins the Daily Scoop for a conversation to share the progress his office ushered in to improve customer experience for DOD’s personnel, where things are headed under this administration and how AI will impact the CX space. 

FedRAMP is getting another overhaul, one that will involve far more automation and a greater role for the private sector, the program’s chief announced Monday. Through FedRAMP 20x, the General Services Administration-based team focused on the program aims to simplify the authorization process and reduce the amount of time needed to approve a service from months to weeks, Director Pete Waterman said during an Alliance for Digital Innovation event. The private sector will also have increased responsibility over monitoring of their systems, he noted. In a critical change, agency sponsorship will — eventually — no longer be necessary to win authorization.  As a first step, FedRAMP has launched four community working groups, which give the public a chance to share feedback, and focus on creating “innovative solutions” to formalize the program’s standards. But in the meantime, Waterman said existing baselines will remain in place and there are no immediate changes to the program.

The Office of Personnel Management and the departments of Treasury and Education are now barred from sharing individuals’ personally identifiable information with DOGE representatives, a federal judge ruled Monday. Judge Deborah L. Boardman of the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland said in her decision that in granting associates with Elon Musk’s so-called government efficiency initiative access to systems containing plaintiffs’ PII, the agencies “likely violated” the Privacy Act and the Administrative Procedure Act. The lawsuit was filed by the American Federation of Teachers, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association, the National Federation of Federal Employees, and six military veterans. 

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Reflections from DOD’s first-ever customer experience officer

Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins attempted to assuage lawmakers’ concerns Tuesday over how the agency plans to deliver critical health tech services amid drastic cuts to its workforce. Appearing before the Senate Appropriations Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, Collins said the VA is full steam ahead on planned deployments of its oft-troubled electronic health record at additional facilities, and is also pushing forward on the rollout of its External Provider Scheduling tool. The VA said in February that it had dismissed 1,000 employees, while the Associated Press reported in March that it planned to cut 80,000 staffers. The Oracle EHR system, meanwhile — plagued by technical problems since its launch during the first Trump administration — is scheduled to be deployed at 13 medical facilities by 2026.

A suite of Elastic products will be discounted for agencies by up to 60% under a new deal announced Tuesday by the General Services Administration. The agreement, part of the GSA’s OneGov strategy to modernize how the government purchases goods and services, will give agencies access to discounts of Elastic’s self-managed solution starting at 27.5%, climbing to higher savings based on governmentwide annual spending. Stephen Ehikian, GSA’s acting administrator, said in a press release that the pact “represents a significant step in our efforts to drive cost efficiencies and modernize IT infrastructure across the federal government.” Additionally, discounts start at 15% for FedRAMP Moderate cloud deployments via GovCloud, jumping to 32% at the top volume tier. The pricing options are locked in for orders made prior to Sept. 30, 2027.

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VA secretary pledges progress on EHR rollout amid workforce cuts; GSA inks deal with Elastic to discount products for agencies

The Supreme Court on Tuesday lifted a district court order that prevented multiple federal agencies from carrying out reductions-in-force, clearing the way for those actions to resume. In an unsigned opinion, a majority of the justices granted the government’s request for a stay of the lower court ruling, concluding that it will likely be successful on its argument that President Donald Trump’s executive order directing agencies to make plans for RIFs and corresponding guidance from the White House were lawful. The justices, however, also emphasized that their ruling doesn’t express a view on the legality of RIF or reorganization plans under that order and memo. The district court’s preliminary injunction hinged on that court’s view that Trump’s order and the Office of Management and Budget’s memo were unlawful and not on any of the plans specifically. Under the injunction from the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, a wide array of federal agencies were required to halt their RIF plans — which included the Department of Health and Human Services, Department of State, Department of Commerce, and many more. It also prompted OMB to pause reviewing or discussing those plans with agencies, per FedScoop reporting. While other legal challenges are moving forward on agency RIFs, the Supreme Court’s ruling, at least for now, means they can begin those actions again.

Anthropic is making the enterprise version of its chatbot Claude available to the entire staff of the Lawrence Livermore National Lab, the artificial intelligence company announced Wednesday.  The expansion comes as generative AI companies look to deepen their relationship with the federal government’s national lab system — and amid growing interest in agencies’ use of the technology. Anthropic said the expansion comes after a pilot, as well as an event in March that allowed thousands of scientists based at the California lab to learn about the technology. The company said the program, which involves its Claude for Enterprise product, constitutes one of the most significant lab deployments of AI at the Energy Department.  As many as ten thousand national lab employees will now be able to use generative AI for their work. Lawrence Livermore will eventually have access to a forthcoming FedRAMP High service, once it’s approved and accredited, meaning lab scientists will be able to use Claude on unclassified data that requires that level of accreditation. 

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Supreme Court allows federal workforce reductions to move forward; Anthropic makes generative AI widely available at major national lab

This week on Safe Mode, we talk with Scott Montgomery, VP of Federal at Island, about the realities of achieving FedRAMP authorization. Scott demystifies the often daunting FedRAMP process, shares lessons learned from real-world experience, and reveals the biggest pitfalls organizations face. From data sensitivity requirements to the growing importance of automation in security compliance, this episode is essential listening for anyone navigating federal cloud standards or considering a move into the government tech space. In our reporter chat, Greg talks with Matt Kapko about a whirlwind week around Clop's targeting of Oracle.

What's it like to go through the FedRAMP process?

A podcast covering the latest news & trends facing top government leaders on topics such as technology, management & workforce. Hosted by Billy Mitchell on FedScoop and released Monday-Friday.

Game Changers was designed BY government contractors FOR government contractors.  The focus of every episode is to give listeners a new tip, trick, or strategy that will help them find and win more contracts.  Each episode features Subject Matter Experts (SME), companies that are successfully winning contracts, or nationally recognized professional speakers and authors.  The show is hosted by government experts Michael LeJeune from Federal Access and Joshua Frank from RSM Federal.  Their award-winning program Federal Access has helped their clients win over $2 Billion in government contracts.  Game Changers releases a new episode every other week.

Keywords: Government Contractor, Government Sales, Government Contracting, Government Contracts, Government Subcontracting, How to Win Government Contracts, Where to Find Government Contracts, Government Contract Support, FPDS Training, The Government Sales Manual, How to Respond to RFPs, How to Write a Proposal, Capability Statement, Government Trainer, Government Coach, Government Consultant.

New tracks tagged #fedramp