Innovation isn’t just a buzzword — it’s a top priority for the federal government in the year ahead. Dave Wennergren, CEO of ACT-IAC, joins Fed Gov Today with Francis Rose to share why the government must push harder to make innovation happen at speed and scale, and why acquisition reform is the key to unlocking real progress.
Wennergren explains that when ACT-IAC gathers government executives to discuss what’s ahead, innovation is always near the top of the list, right alongside hot topics like AI and efficiency initiatives. Agencies, he says, have enormous opportunities to transform how they deliver on their missions. But to do that, they must move beyond incremental changes and focus on innovations that matter — the kind that drive measurable mission outcomes.
He cautions that too many agencies are still conducting “status quo procurements,” which fail to encourage new approaches. To change that, he argues, agencies must design their acquisitions to demand innovation, invite alternative proposals, and measure results. “If we do status quo procurements,” Wennergren warns, “we won’t do a change that matters.”
One of his biggest recommendations is to tie innovation directly to mission delivery. It’s not enough to simply upgrade technology or launch a flashy new tool — those innovations must connect to agency goals and solve real problems. Wennergren encourages leaders to look at what he calls the “major muscle movements” of their organizations, not just cosmetic fixes like improving websites. Applying innovation where it matters most, he says, is the way to create real transformation.
Wennergren sees AI as one of the most powerful opportunities available right now. Rather than fighting against the wave of change, he urges agencies to “ride the waves” and use AI to accelerate innovation. If acquisition reform is a priority, he says, that too should be leveraged as a tool to bring in new, commercial solutions faster.
A major theme of Wennergren’s conversation is partnership. He emphasizes that collaboration between government and industry is essential for sharing best practices, learning from commercial successes, and avoiding reinvention. ACT-IAC’s Innovation Awards showcase great examples of agencies using technology to improve mission operations — from disaster response to workforce training — proving that transformation is possible when government and industry work together.
He also highlights the importance of upcoming events like ACT-IAC’s ELC conference, which brings together agency leaders and industry partners to discuss the future of government IT. Wennergren believes that now is the most important time to engage, listen, and collaborate to shape the agenda for the future.
His advice to agencies is clear: stop doing things the way they’ve always been done, challenge the status quo, and demand innovative proposals that deliver measurable outcomes. When agencies pair that mindset with commercial best practices and performance-based contracting, they not only cut costs but also improve speed, scalability, and mission impact.
For Wennergren, innovation is not an optional add-on — it’s a mission requirement. The combination of modernization priorities, commercial contracting opportunities, and technologies like AI creates a moment of opportunity that federal leaders cannot afford to miss. “There has never been a time when it’s been more important to know what agencies are focusing on and what changes are going to take place,” he says.
By encouraging agencies to rethink how they acquire technology, measure success, and partner with industry, Wennergren is calling for a fundamental cultural shift. The goal isn’t just to deploy new technology — it’s to transform how government delivers services and solves problems.
Please fill out the requested information below