From Seabed to Space: Inside NRL’s Game-Changing Tech & Congress’s Big Protest Dilemma

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Fed Gov Today, Francis Rose, Host, August 17, 2025

In the second segment, Kenneth Patton, Managing Associate General Counsel at the Government Accountability Office (GAO), discusses trends in federal contract protests. He notes filings have dropped significantly in the past decade, partly due to the Department of Defense’s enhanced debriefing process, which gives companies more information upfront. Patton explains the effectiveness rate of GAO’s protest process, addresses the long-running “loser pays” debate in Congress, and emphasizes the need for better data before reforming procurement rules. The episode blends technology insights with procurement policy realities, offering valuable perspectives for both government and industry leaders.

Watch the broadcast.