How GovCon is crossing the bridge from 2025 to 2026

Update: 2025-12-15

Description

Most years of a presidential transition result in some adjustments by the government contracting community as a new administration settles in, but 2025 presented more variables to GovCon than ever before.

Stephanie Kostro, president of the Professional Services Council, fields many questions from PSC’s member companies about what is happening across the ecosystem. Kostro joins Nick and Ross for this episode to unpack some that were answered in 2025 and others that remain unanswered for 2026, including the prospects of a second shutdown following the last one.

How the Department of Government Efficiency’s influence remains over GovCon is one of those that has some answers. As Kostro explains, DOGE’s presence at the agency level is something GovCon will have to account for in 2026.

The government’s acquisition overhaul to emphasize speed and commercial buying also has open questions from industry that Kostro walks Nick and Ross through. Small business contracting in today’s climate, bid protests and the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act also feature in the discussion.

WT 360: Known risks and potential rewards in the post-shutdown catchup

WT 360: Action items for contractors in the shutdown’s second week

Shutdown’s end just the beginning as contractors face months-long recovery

Contractors quantify shutdown damage as stoppages spread across missions

DOGE is no longer a 'centralized entity,' personnel chief says

DOGE caucus co-chair says the cost-cutting unit’s work will continue

DOGE guts HHS small business office in reorg effort

GSA adds third set of companies to consulting contract review

DOGE now has approval authority for defense IT, consulting contracts

Small businesses face upheaval under the acquisition overhaul and agency cuts

SBA orders 8(a) companies to turn over financial records

Unveiling acquisition overhaul, Hegseth tells industry to get with the program