Advocating for a forward-thinking perspective is crucial in revamping the functioning of federal government institutions.
Modernizing Government Procurement for Emerging Technologies
The European Union, Canada, China, the UK, and the United States are all investing in the use of emerging technologies like quantum computing and artificial intelligence (AI) for various sectors.
In the US, legislative efforts are underway to accelerate the adoption of these technologies in government procurement. On July 16, 2025, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) submitted 16 proposals to Congress, aiming to modernize federal acquisition law. These proposals include raising the threshold for Cost Accounting Standards applicability, which could streamline procurement for advanced technology projects.
The Trump Administration's AI Action Plan, released in July 2025, outlines federal priorities to accelerate AI adoption, including within government procurement. The plan advocates deregulation to remove barriers perceived to hinder AI growth and includes measures such as federal agencies developing a "procurement toolbox" to simplify acquiring AI technologies. It also promotes “talent-exchange programs” for faster deployment of AI expertise across agencies.
The AI Action Plan seeks to pressure states to reduce "burdensome" AI regulations to ensure federal funding, affecting procurement environments at the state level. It also calls for international engagement to promote U.S. leadership in AI governance. While the plan primarily targets AI, the focus on infrastructure permitting and streamlined regulatory reviews also supports the accelerated deployment of advanced technologies in federal projects.
Rep. Young Kim (R-Calif.) led the Wildfire Tech DEMO Act, aimed at accelerating the government's development and deployment of emerging technologies for wildfire response. The House has passed this bipartisan bill, which includes the Wildfire Tech Demonstration, Evaluation, Modernization, and Optimization (DEMO) Act. The Senate is currently considering the companion bill to the Wildfire Tech DEMO Act.
Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) reintroduced several bills related to creating sandbox programs and accelerating near-term quantum applications for the Defense Department. The Army Engineer Research and Development Center has developed a quantum-powered solution for wildfire management.
Adopting emerging technologies through rapid procurement platforms is essential for delivering public-sector efficiencies today. Rapid procurement platforms like Tradewinds Marketplace have been developed to expedite engagement with emerging technologies. The Department of Homeland Security's Procurement Innovation Lab focuses on lowering barriers to entry and shortening procurement timelines.
However, the reauthorization of the National Quantum Initiative (NQI) lapsed in September 2023, posing a threat to America's leadership in emerging technologies. Congress must also embrace an "innovator mindset" for program funding and direction. The secretary of Defense is tasked with modernizing acquisition processes to expedite innovation.
President Trump is supporting commercial solutions and rapid acquisition pathways. The U.S. government is accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies to address public-sector challenges with greater speed and efficiency. The European Union has released a call for quantum applications for air traffic management, and Canada funded a project to use autonomous vehicles for farming. China has committed $15 billion toward quantum technologies for various uses, including secure communications. The UK has funded projects with an 18-month or less timeframe to optimize manufacturing, emergency management, and new drug discovery.
In conclusion, the use of emerging technologies like quantum and AI is delivering real-world solutions in areas such as transportation networks, grid resilience, and supply chain management for port operations. The Trump Administration is promoting an "innovator mindset" in Washington, D.C., with the hope that this will lead to further advancements in government procurement and the adoption of these technologies.
References:
- White House AI Executive Order
- White House AI Action Plan
- White House AI Principles
- OMB Proposals for Modernizing Federal Acquisition Law
The American federal workforce is being encouraged to embrace a reimagined approach with the integration of technology, such as quantum computing and artificial intelligence (AI), for government procurement, as outlined in the Trump Administration's AI Action Plan. signifies legislative efforts to modernize federal acquisition law, part of which includes adopting rapid procurement platforms, like Tradewinds Marketplace and the Department of Homeland Security's Procurement Innovation Lab, to expedite engagement with emerging technologies.
