How to Make Your Federal Tech Marketing Count
One thing is clear these days: the federal tech landscape is not standing still. Agencies are under more pressure to justify spend, defend outcomes, and align investments directly to mission objectives. Whether you are sharpening your federal messaging or entering the space for the first time, the rules of engagement are shifting.
HHS Artificial Intelligence Strategy → FY26 Budget Alignment
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has published a comprehensive Artificial Intelligence Strategy outlining how AI will be governed, deployed, and scaled across healthcare delivery, public health, and research.
While the FY 2026 HHS Budget does not create a single “AI program,” it does fund the strategy in practice through investments in technology modernization, data infrastructure, public health analytics, digital health, and research systems.
The Warfighting Acquisition System: What the Biggest Shift in DoD Buying Means for Technology Companies
Last week’s release of Transforming the Defense Acquisition System into the Warfighting Acquisition System is likely the most consequential change in defense acquisition policy in decades and it sends a very clear message to the industrial base, startups, and commercial vendors:
Speed, modularity, and mission impact now outrank process, compliance, and tradition.
For companies building AI, cybersecurity, PQC, quantum, edge compute, cloud, analytics, sensors, or advanced manufacturing technologies, this is not just a policy update.
It’s an open door.
Funding Uncertainty, Clear Opportunity: Navigating the FY 26 Federal Budget Maze
The headlines are all about gridlock: the Senate racing to pass a three-bill “minibus,” the House waiting for the green light, and another short-term continuing resolution (CR) keeping the lights on only through January 30. It’s tempting to read this as a signal for technology companies to pause their government efforts.
That would be a mistake.
While Washington wrestles over process, the underlying mission priorities driving government IT, cybersecurity, and AI investments haven’t changed. Agencies are still under binding mandates from Zero Trust and post-quantum encryption to AI governance and data modernization that require continued action regardless of the budget dance on Capitol Hill.
At Marion Square, we see this as one of the best times to be positioning for growth.
Navigating Government Shutdowns: A Contractor’s Guide with Marion Square
When Congress fails to pass funding legislation, the federal government officially shuts down. For federal contractors, a shutdown introduces a period of significant uncertainty, affecting ongoing projects, payment schedules, and future business opportunities.
FY26 is Around the Corner: Why Tech Companies Need to Act Now to Win in Government
The federal government’s FY26 budget cycle begins October 1st, and agencies are already shaping acquisition plans. Billions are being directed toward AI, cybersecurity, post-quantum readiness, infrastructure, and defense making this one of the largest opportunities yet for technology companies
Whether you’re already working with federal agencies or just starting to explore the market, the message is clear: the time to act is now.
How and Why Crypto Posture Management Is Indispensable for Quantum-Ready Zero Trust Architectures
Many organizations make the mistake of treating quantum readiness and the deployment of a Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) as distinct initiatives. In this webinar, ISARA and Marion Square discuss the connections between these two undertakings and explain why having a strong cryptographic posture management program is indispensable to adopting a Quantum-Ready ZTA.
Webinar recording from August 12, 2025
The Senate Proposes National Quantum Cybersecurity Strategy: What It Means for Your Organization
On August 6, 2025, Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) introduced bipartisan legislation that could significantly accelerate the nation’s migration to post-quantum cryptography (PQC). The bill, known informally as the National Quantum Cybersecurity Strategy Act, underscores a growing federal urgency: quantum computing is no longer just a research milestone it’s a looming cybersecurity disruptor.
For technology providers, government contractors, and agencies alike, this legislation represents both a challenge and a market defining opportunity.
Post-Quantum Discovery & Inventory: Navigating Options for Compliance and Action
As federal agencies accelerate their timelines for post-quantum encryption (PQE) readiness under NSM-10, OMB M-23-02, and forthcoming FIPS 140-3 mandates, a foundational requirement is completing a comprehensive cryptographic inventory and discovery process. However, how agencies get there and what tools or partners they use can vary widely. In this timely webinar, co-hosted by Marion Square and Square Peg Technologies, we broke down the evolving landscape of PQE inventory requirements and provided a practical guide to the approaches agencies are taking to meet them.
Webinar recording from July 24, 2025
The Federal Government Is Spending-Here’s How to Position for FY26 Funding Now
If you're in AI, cybersecurity, infrastructure, or defense tech and still sitting on the sidelines of the federal market, now is the time to move. A recent Financial Times article called attention to the surge of interest and investment in defense tech start-ups. But the trend goes far beyond drones and weapons systems. It’s a signal that the U.S. government is actively buying, planning, and modernizing and the window for engaging in FY 26 is already open.
FY26 Budget Status: What You Need to Know
As of July 21, 2025, the federal Fiscal Year 2026 budget has not been fully passed. While both chambers of Congress have made substantial progress on individual appropriations bills, the complete budget package awaits final approval. FY2026 officially began on October 1, 2025, creating pressure for lawmakers to finalize funding or resort to temporary measures.
How Smaller Software Vendors Can Align with GSA's OneGov Strategy
GSA's OneGov initiative is reshaping how the federal government buys IT software and while the spotlight is currently on major vendors like Google, Adobe, and Salesforce, the implications extend far beyond the big players.
Pricing Isn’t Enough: Why Federal Tech Vendors Need to Show Value, Not Just Cost
Federal IT spending continues to grow, but how agencies choose technology partners is changing fast. GSA’s OneGov initiative and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) mandate are redefining what it means to be a competitive vendor in today’s procurement landscape.
Aligning Sales Strategies with DOGE Priorities: Navigating the New Federal Marketplace
The federal buying landscape is undergoing a fundamental transformation. With the rise of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), agency decision-makers are now laser-focused on one thing: results. Features and functionality alone no longer win contracts — vendors must clearly demonstrate how their solutions drive measurable business outcomes aligned to mission priorities.
SWIFT Is Here: What DoD’s New Software Acquisition Model Means for Vendors – And How to Win
One of the most important developments in recent years arrives this week: the Department of Defense's formal launch of SWIFT the Software-Initiated Fast Track.
Backed by the Office of the DoD CIO and spearheaded by Katie Arrington, SWIFT is designed to radically accelerate the acquisition and deployment of commercial software across the Department. More than a program, SWIFT represents a shift in philosophy – one that software companies must understand and adapt to if they want to stay competitive in defense.
Quantum Momentum in Washington: Why Now is the Time for Quantum Tech Companies to Engage with the U.S. Government
Since 2018, federal quantum funding has grown steadily year-over-year from just over $400 million in FY19 to nearly $1 billion in FY23. This surge is anchored by the National Quantum Initiative Act (NQIA), which authorized over $1.2 billion in its first phase to support national labs, academia, and private-sector collaboration.
What a Full-Year CR Means for Technology Companies
On March 15, 2025, President Trump signed a full-year Continuing Resolution (CR) into law for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025, a move that significantly impacts various sectors, including technology companies. This legislation funds the government at FY24 enacted levels through September 30, 2025, accompanied by notable increases in defense spending and reductions in non-defense allocations. For technology companies working with or adjacent to government programs, this CR brings both opportunities and challenges.
Understanding Budget Reconciliation and Its Impact on Selling to the Government
Budget reconciliation is an internal tool that Congress uses to adjust revenue and spending but does not directly fund government operations. The real impact for vendors comes from the appropriations process, which determines actual agency budgets and purchasing power. Understanding where we are in the process helps you better time your federal sales efforts and align with government priorities.
Government Spending on AI in FY25: Key Insights and Opportunities
With 1,700 AI use cases identified in U.S. Government agencies, FY25 will be an important year for both established and emerging tech companies focused on AI and machine learning. Gain critical insights into the rapidly evolving government AI landscape and learn how to align your strategies with federal priorities.
Webinar Recording from February 19, 2025
Unlocking Federal Markets: Why Data-Driven Technology is Essential for Government Agencies in FY 25
The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into federal operations is a cornerstone of government technology priorities for Fiscal Year 2025. At Marion Square, we’ve been closely tracking the federal AI market and uncovering significant trends that indicate where technology investments are heading.