Empowering Government to Maximize Technology Investment

Original broadcast 8/3/25

Presented by Carahsoft

Craig Abod, President of Carahsoft, has built his company’s reputation on helping the federal government not just acquire great technology, but use it effectively and strategically. In his conversation on Fed Gov Today, Abod makes the case that the greatest opportunity in government IT is not necessarily about buying more—it’s about doing more with what’s already in place. Across agencies, there’s often a significant gap between what tools are available and how well they’re being used. According to Abod, “We see agencies that may be using only 20% of the capabilities of the software they already own.” That kind of underutilization is not just inefficient—it’s a missed opportunity to deliver mission outcomes faster and with greater return on investment.

Carahsoft plays a critical role in closing that gap. By educating practitioners and decision-makers alike, Abod and his team help ensure agencies understand the full capabilities of the technologies they’ve already invested in. That includes not only conducting outreach and briefings, but also surfacing opportunities to integrate solutions more deeply into existing workflows.

While optimization is important, Abod is equally focused on introducing new technologies—especially those from emerging companies that may not yet have a foothold in the federal space. Each year, Carahsoft works with hundreds of startups and early-stage firms, many of which are brought in through partnerships with venture capital and private equity groups. These emerging vendors often have high-potential solutions for government, but they lack the institutional knowledge to navigate complex federal procurement systems. Carahsoft bridges that divide, helping these companies understand how to get on contract vehicles, market their offerings to government buyers, and align their products with agency needs.

To support this work at scale, Carahsoft has developed a series of technology verticals—mission-driven ecosystems that group companies around core themes like cybersecurity, DevSecOps, drones, law enforcement, FedRAMP, and others. These verticals not only help organize Carahsoft’s portfolio but also make it easier for government customers to find and deploy technologies that align with their mission. “When we bring emerging players into these verticals,” Abod explains, “we help agencies see the whole picture—not just the individual tools, but how they can work together to drive outcomes.”

A compelling example is the Salesforce AppExchange, where Carahsoft supports more than 100 smaller companies building solutions directly on the Salesforce platform. These integrations extend the value of Salesforce for agencies, offering added functionality with minimal friction. Abod points to this as a model for how public-private collaboration can help government innovate faster and more affordably.

Looking ahead, Abod believes the real test will be how government and industry tackle the hardest technology problems—AI, cybersecurity, and enterprise-scale modernization. These are no longer optional priorities; they are essential capabilities. But solving them requires close, ongoing collaboration between the private sector and federal leaders. Abod is clear: “The opportunity in government isn’t to spend less—it’s to spend smarter and get more results.”

Key Takeaways

• Carahsoft helps federal agencies better utilize existing technology and expand adoption through targeted education and integration.

• Hundreds of emerging tech firms are introduced into the federal space each year with Carahsoft’s support, many through VC and PE partnerships.

• Solving big challenges like AI and cybersecurity will require strong alignment and smarter investment between government and industry.