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Federal Tech Spend in FY26: AI, Cloud, and Cybersecurity with Brittany Winkler
Federal Tech Spend in FY26: AI, Cloud, and Cybersecurity with Brittany Winkler
This guide provides urgent details on the strategies Brittany Winkler, Sr. GTM Enablement Manager at GovDash, presented during the recent webinar “Federal Tech Spend in 2026: AI, Cloud, and Cybersecurity.”
We aren't just approaching a new budget cycle; we are witnessing an operational reset of the entire federal government. With the 2026 NDAA and the President's Management Agenda (PMA) dropping simultaneously this week, the rules of engagement have fundamentally changed.
The GovDash report, “Winning the 2026 Pipeline,” provides a deeper analysis for BD and capture teams preparing for this shift.
The goal is urgent and clear: help committed contractors rapidly build a plan that aligns with the new "Performance Era" mandates, explicitly targeting the massive procurement consolidation and the aggressive push for commercial speed.
The Big Shift: An Operational Reset
Federal agencies are shifting toward a "One Gov" strategy for three reasons:
Consolidated Buying Power: The White House is explicitly mandating a shift away from siloed agency contracts toward Best-in-Class (BIC) vehicles such as OASIS+, SEWP, and Alliant 3.
Commercial Speed: The "FAR 2.0" overhaul is stripping procedural bloat to empower Contracting Officers to use rapid down-selects and prototypes.
Performance Over Relationships: The days of winning on relationships alone are over. The new administration is demanding tangible proof of capability before an RFP even drops.
Brittany emphasized,
“Do not mistake deregulation for weakness. They know exactly what they want... It is up to us to make sure that we are aligned with everything that they're asking.”
This trend is confirmed across the board. Contractors who monitor policy deviations and funding cliffs will be in the strongest position.
The Hard Truth: Compliance is the New Gatekeeper
Brittany was direct. Winning in 2026 requires exact compliance and immediate readiness. The stakes have never been higher, particularly for small businesses and defense contractors.
“No certification means no contract. Level the playing field with where you are right now... Make sure your house is in order immediately.”
Contractors must pay attention to three critical "cliffs" right now:
The SBA 8(a) Audit: A massive fraud audit deadline is looming. All 8(a) participants must provide three years of financial records by January 5, 2026. Missing this means potential decertification.
The TMF Cliff: The Technology Modernization Fund authority is set to expire this Friday, December 12. If your funding relies on TMF, verify your sources immediately.
CMMC 2.0: The 2026 NDAA directs "harmonized cybersecurity regulations" by June 2026, effectively locking CMMC Level 2 (NIST compliance) as the minimum standard for defense work.
Tactical Advice: Follow the Money (and the "Hidden" Money)
Brittany urged contractors to "aggressively pivot" their pipelines in response to the stark winners in the 2026 budget request.
“This is not a rising tide year. It is a year of extreme winners and, unfortunately, losers.”
The Winners:
DHS (+65%): The "undisputed king of growth," driven by cyber defense and border tech.
DOD (+13%): Remains the heavyweight, consistent with historical growth.
The Red Zones:
Department of State (-84%): Facing massive cuts; contractors here must pivot immediately.
Labor (-35%) & HHS (-26%): Significant reductions in requested funds.
The Hidden Money: Brittany advised looking "below the glacier" at massive programs not fully detailed in standard budgets, such as:
Project Stargate: A proposed $500B AI infrastructure expansion expected to hit solicitation in Q2 2026.
The "OBBA" Act: Contains $6.2B specifically for border security AI, explaining the massive surge in DHS funding.
Visibility: "Live Audition" Era
Visibility is no longer optional; it’s about proof. FAR 2.0 deviations are changing how you win.
“Gone are the days of reading slides... Stop building slide decks and start building demo packages that you can show in fifteen minutes.”
To strengthen your presence in this "live audition" environment:
Prepare for Orals: These are now interactive dialogues, not presentations. Your technical team must be ready to speak.
Build "Proof Kits": Have prototypes and live demos ready before the RFP drops.
Negotiate Aggressively: New rules allow COs to negotiate with a single offeror without reopening discussions. Your first bid must be your best.
A Battle Plan for 2026
Here is a simple and effective way to stay ahead:
Immediately: Audit Readiness. If you are an 8(a), submit your financials before Jan 5. If you rely on TMF, check your funding before Dec 12.
Q1 2026: Map the Deviations. Track which agencies are using new FAR 2.0 rapid authorities and align your capture efforts there.
Q2 2026: Pivot to Growth. Shift pipeline focus toward DHS and DOD. Look for "Project Stargate" solicitations.
Ongoing: Specialize to Survive. Mid-tier firms must find their niche. Small businesses should leverage on-ramps like Polaris and OASIS+.
Contractors who take these steps now will enter 2026 with a clear advantage.
Brittany’s Closing Message
Brittany left attendees with a clear takeaway regarding the massive shifts in policy and budget:
“2026 isn't just about who has the best tech. It's about who has the best tradecraft.”
What to Expect Next
The "Performance Era" is here. Immediate readiness, audit survival, and aggressive pivoting toward funded agencies will determine success. Waiting will cost valuable opportunities. Firms that build these habits now will be positioned to win when the 2026 cycle accelerates.
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