Artificial Intelligence and Federal Government Contracts: Time for Businesses to Make a Plan

Three Ways Business Leaders Can Bring AI Solutions to the Federal Market

The federal government's artificial intelligence landscape is changing rapidly, and business leaders with AI capabilities should be paying attention. The White House recently issued its first-ever National Security Memorandum on Artificial Intelligence. This is a pivotal step for the U.S. government to institutionalize its approach to design, test, and integrate new artificial intelligence (AI) technologies across federal agency mission sets. Serellium breaks down what this memorandum means and implications for the private sector to bring new AI capabilities to the government in the immediate term.

What does the White House National Memorandum on Artificial Intelligence say?

Released October 24, 2024, this memorandum builds on years of policy development, technology testing, and protocol refinement to adopt and implement new AI technologies that will advance national security objectives. It directs federal agencies to take actionable steps, including:

1. Establishing processes to ensure safe, secure, and trustworthy development of AI solutions;

   
   

2. Creating protocol to harness cutting-edge AI technologies to advance national security priorities; and

   
   

3. Formalizing governance on AI development, integration, and implementation.

The intent is to advance a whole-of-government approach to identify, test, and adopt new AI capabilities more rapidly, responsibly, and effectively in support of national security objectives.

What now? Three actions business leaders should be taking.

The White House memorandum sets important context for businesses to communicate their AI capabilities in a way that meets U.S. government priorities. Business leaders in the AI space should be making a plan to strategize alignment of AI solutions with federal government investments and needs. Private sector companies with new, relevant, and applicable AI technologies should take three immediate steps to posture for entry or expansion in government industry.

1. Business leaders can anticipate ever-increasing federal investments in new AI capabilities, and should make a plan to pursue government contracts. The funding opportunities for government contracts, pilots, research and development, and testing models are only building. Over the past few years, government contract awards for AI solutions have increased exponentially. As the government solidifies its policies and approach, as seen in the recent memorandum, this will open up dramatically increasing funding opportunities. Make a plan to set up your search for new AI-related government contract opportunities. Tap the Serellium team to help you analyze the highest-demand entry points for your capability, leverage set-aside expenditure trends, and identify prioritized agencies whose needs best align with your solution. Stay engaged through government industry events so you can track real-time updates on contract announcements, stay up-to-date on new federal agency investments, and respond quickly to government requests.

   
   

2. Industry’s thought leadership is needed - more than ever before - to bring new AI solutions to federal government. Business leaders should be calling for regular private sector roundtables, and engaging through government-industry events and white papers to forge ideas, inform requirements, and emphasize innovative capabilities. Make a plan to showcase your AI capability to government customers. Actively voice your expertise based on your experience implementing AI solutions in the commercial sector: lessons learned, best practices, key capabilities, and security protocols.

   
   

3. Capability integration is critical. It’s industry partners who will bring the most creative, efficient, and strongest combinations of capabilities to meet government requirements. Partnerships will be a force multiplier to integrate customized capability offerings to prevent, address, and respond to our nation’s most complex and critical national security priorities. Business leaders: find your partners. Scope out compelling combinations of capability integrations. Showcase to federal government the innovative solutions America’s private sector can bring to the table, at this pivotal moment in AI adoption.

Need help? Tap into expertise.

Serellium specializes in helping businesses enter or expand in the federal government contracting space. We support businesses in making plans for each of the steps outlined above. Our proprietary analytical tool pinpoints the highest demand entry points for businesses to apply their capabilities or innovations to government industry. The Serellium team develops customized business roadmaps, government-tailored communications plans and products, and data-backed bidding strategies so business leaders know exactly how to navigate – and win – in the government contracting landscape. Our mission is to bring stronger solutions to the federal government, for the betterment of national security and public services.