The New Phase of AI Governance: Update on AI Executive Order 14110
In October of 2023, the Biden Administration issued an Executive Order aimed at securing the United States’ leadership in the development and deployment of artificial intelligence while ensuring this technology is used responsibly to protect individual privacy and data. This landmark order sets new standards for AI safety and security, upholds Americans’ privacy, promotes equity and civil rights, safeguards consumers and workers, encourages innovation and competition, and reinforces American leadership on the global stage.
Navigating the Government’s Transition to Post-Quantum Encryption: A Strategic Approach
As quantum computing continues to evolve, the security of existing cryptographic systems faces an unprecedented threat. Post-quantum encryption (PQE) is no longer a distant goal; it is a critical, urgent priority. Marion Square has been actively tracking the federal government’s transition to PQE, working closely with both technology companies and government agencies to ensure a smooth and secure transition.
Federal mandates such as NSM-10 and OMB 23-02 have set the course for agencies to begin their PQE journeys. The stakes are high, and failure to meet these mandates could expose critical systems to quantum-enabled adversaries. According to the recent OMB report to Congress, the government is expected to spend approximately $1 billion annually over the next decade on this transition, though many experts predict the true cost could be much higher.
US Government Preparing for the Post-Quantum Era: The Opportunity for PQE Technology and Services Vendors
Marion Square is actively working with our partners and clients to understand and map the requirements Federal Agencies have for transitioning to Post Quantum Encryption (PQE). For PQE technology companies, this transition presents a unique opportunity: a growing market with billions in potential federal contracts.
Market Update: Artificial Intelligence
Marion Square is continually researching Government initiatives and programs to identify key opportunities for our clients. For those organizations that are focused on providing AI algorithms, infrastructure, and services an interesting, potential opportunity for FY 25 is the Dept of Energy’s (DOE) -Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence for Science, Security, and Technology- or FASST initiative.
Unlocking Federal AI Opportunities in FY 2025: Navigating the Two-Tiered Approach to Maximize Success
As Artificial Intelligence (AI) becomes an engine driving innovation across industries, its role in the Federal government is accelerating at an unprecedented pace. With FY 2025 federal funding poised to fuel AI initiatives across all agencies, it’s clear that AI has transcended from being a technological trend to a national priority.
Understanding and strategically leveraging this tiered structure will be crucial for companies looking to accelerate their go-to-market (GTM) strategies and secure contracts that matter.
Market Update: Post Quantum Encryption
With the recent release of the NIST Post Quantum Encryption (PQE) standards (NIST Releases First 3 Finalized Post-Quantum Encryption Standards | NIST) we at Marion Square anticipate there will be a focus from Federal Agencies in FY 25 to become compliant with the White House Executive Order and National Security Memo for Post Quantum Cryptography.
Market Update: Insider Threat
At Marion Square, our Market Research Analysts are continually following current and upcoming federal spending trends. Cybersecurity is always on our watchlist due to the critical need and continual update and modernization requirements. Insider threat is one we have seen recently pick up again (in recent years, the Government has been spending mostly O&M dollars on Insider Threat).
When to Expect Your First Federal Contract
A question we at Marion Square get asked often is “when can I expect my first Government sale to close?”. This answer to this question has many ‘depends on’ factors, but overall, the realistic expectation to closing your first Government sale could be anywhere from 6-18 months (or more) once you’ve executed your sales plan. The Federal sales process is more complex than the commercial sales process, leading to a longer closing timeframe.
Growing Your Government Business
Marion Square’s mission is to enable our clients to build successful government businesses through in-depth market research, actionable key insights and detailed data and funding analysis coupled with highly effective sales execution services.
Our market assessment engagement focuses on providing organizations with these critical market insights and information that will enable them to better understand the federal market for their technology. With this information, organizations can best determine where to invest their resources for the greatest and most likely return.
Webinar Recording from 5/8/24
5 Steps to Create a Successful Federal GTM Strategy
At Marion Square, we rely on market research to point our clients in the right direction for funding, with the ultimate goal of creating a healthy and solid pipeline. Each year, the Federal Government releases their budget request for the following fiscal year in March (FY25’s budget requests were just released this past March) – while there is still some time before it gets passed, it’s important to review the budget to identify where agencies are planning on spending their money to create a successful Federal Go To Market.
Government Industry Days - A Front Row Seat to New Opportunities
Our clients are always looking for new ways to get in front of potential Government customers and meeting new teaming partners. One of our primary recommendations is to participate in Government hosted Industry Days. Industry Days are typically held by a specific Program Management Office (PMO) soliciting and gathering vital information for an upcoming Request for Proposal (RFP).
The Government’s Growing Demand for OSINT, and what you need to know
In today’s session we want to discuss Open Source Intelligence market, how this market has changed with the introduction of social media and more recently AI, and some of the key areas Government is seeking assistance to help with their OSINT programs. We will also review the key resources that Carahsoft and Marion Square has to offer in this expanding market.
Webinar Recording from 3/26/24
The Rise and Importance of Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT)
According to market analysis the space is large, around $7B today, and is expected to grow at 28% CAGR annually thru 2030 when the market will be approximately $36B. Global Open Source Intelligence Market Size $36,241.2Mn 2030 (custommarketinsights.com) Law Enforcement followed by Government Intelligence Agencies and Defense Intelligence Agencies are by far the largest customers for OSINT technologies.
Preparing for PQE
Prepare for PQE: M-23-18 (whitehouse.gov)- June 2023
• Ensure that requirements under:
o NSM-10-US becomes a leader in QIS while mitigating risks to systems vulnerable to Cryptographic Resistant Quantum Computer. )CRQC)
o M-23-02-provides guidance on transitioning to PQE
o NMM-2022-09- outlines Zero Trust Security principles
are made transparent in FY 25 Budget submissions.
2023 In Review - eBook
As the 2023 year comes to an end, we wanted to round up the content we’ve curated throughout the year in an easy to review eBook. At Marion Square, we are continually researching new technology trends, opportunities and initiatives within the Government. We hope you find this useful as you're planning your Federal sales strategy for 2024!
Taking Care of Big & Small Vendors: Carahsoft’s 3rd Annual Marketing Summit
Marion Square attended Carahsoft’s 3rd Annual Marketing Summit on November 1st, 2023. Co-Founder and CEO Harvey Morrison presented with Carahsoft’s Vice President, Mike Shrader to discuss best practices for both large and small vendors looking to sell to the Federal Government.
What Should you do to be Productive during a Government Continuing Resolution (CR)?
The overarching theme around a CR to keep in mind is that CR's reduce the amount of time an agency has to complete a solicitation. Instead of a 12 month window to conduct market research, identify contracting vehicles and approaches to procurement, meet with vendors, etc agencies timeframes are compressed. If the FY 24 budgets aren't approved until Dec (which is the current consensus) then agencies will only have 9 to 10 months to complete their work or risk loosing their funding at year end.
AI/ML Federal Market Overview
The FY 24 budget includes $210B for federal research and development (R&D), this is the largest ever investment for Federal R&D.
Artificial Intelligence R&D is a main focus area for FY 24 investment with several agencies requesting $1B to fund AI research projects and programs in areas such as:
• Facial recognition technology
• Drone systems
• Systems to analyze large amounts of data
• Cyber Security
Quantum Information Science (QIS) Federal Market Overview
• Post Quantum Cryptography is becoming a focus area with the release of May 22nd National Security Memo- initial standards are being released by NIST. Though the FY 2024 budget request sees several investments in advancing quantum computing R&D, contractors will begin to see funding and needs in cyber budgets for PQC transitions as early as FY 2025.
FY25 Federal Cyber Priorities
The US Government is signaling its future cyber priorities with a recently released OMB Memo M-23-18 "The Administrations Cyber Priorities for FY 25" M-23-18 (whitehouse.gov). The memo instructs Federal Agencies to prioritize budgeting/funding around the key initiatives specifically outlined within the memo. In reading the memo, one will notice that several of the priorities are a continuation of funded initiatives that are currently going through the budget approval process as part of the FY24 budget.