Ever to Conquer – September 23, 2025

Welcome to this edition of Ever to Conquer, where we spotlight the transformative initiatives reshaping America’s public sector technology landscape. As September 2025 unfolds, federal and SLED executives face pivotal shifts: SLED budget squeezes from federal cuts, higher ed’s AI ethics mandates, and local cyber insurance hikes. This edition curates fresh, decision-driving stories from StateTech, Educause, and FedScoop – focusing on how they impact your budgets, compliance, and operations across federal, SLED, and higher ed.

This edition highlights:

• AI & Government Innovation: Higher ed’s AI ethics mandates reshape teaching tools.
• Cybersecurity: Local cyber insurance premiums spike 30%.
• Procurement & Partnerships: SLED FY26 budgets cut IT by 15%.
• Data Privacy & Protection: State AGs sue over AI data misuse.
• Government IT Modernization: Federal cloud spending hits $10B milestone.

AI and Government Innovation

Higher Ed Mandates AI Ethics in Curriculum

Educause reported that 40 states now require AI ethics training in higher ed curricula by 2026, with federal grants tied to compliance, potentially reallocating $500M in Title IV funds.

• Why It Matters: Mandates force universities to revamp budgets for AI tools and training, impacting enrollment and federal aid eligibility.
• Actionable Insights:
  • For Buyers: Reallocate 10% of IT budgets for AI ethics platforms to secure grants.
  • For Sellers: Develop curriculum-integrated AI ethics tools for higher ed.
• Source: Educause Review, Sep 2025

SLED Pilots AI for Budget Forecasting

StateTech detailed how 15 states piloted AI for FY26 budget forecasting, improving accuracy by 25% and identifying $300M in savings.

• Why It Matters: AI forecasting helps SLED execs navigate federal cuts, optimizing finance and procurement decisions.
• Actionable Insights:
  • For Buyers: Integrate AI forecasting into budget processes to avoid shortfalls.
  • For Sellers: Offer AI budget tools with state-specific data models.
• Source: StateTech Magazine, Sep 2025

Federal AI Waiver Process Streamlines Approvals

FedScoop covered OMB’s new AI waiver process, allowing agencies to bypass reviews for low-risk AI, speeding deployments by 40%.

• Why It Matters: Waivers reduce legal hurdles, freeing budgets for high-impact AI projects.
• Actionable Insights:
  • For Buyers: Apply waivers for routine AI tools to accelerate rollouts.
  • For Sellers: Design low-risk AI for waiver eligibility.
• Source: FedScoop, Sep 2025

Local AI for Constituent Services Gains Traction

Smart Cities Dive highlighted 20 cities using AI chatbots for constituent services, reducing call volumes by 35% and saving $20M in staffing.

• Why It Matters: AI services improve citizen satisfaction, justifying IT budget increases amid fiscal pressures.
• Actionable Insights:
  • For Buyers: Pilot AI chatbots for high-volume services like permitting.
  • For Sellers: Build multilingual AI for local government use.
• Source: Smart Cities Dive, Sep 2025

🎙️ Check Out This Episode of the Ever To Conquer Podcast 🎙️

Cybersecurity

Local Cyber Insurance Premiums Spike 30%

GovTech reported a 30% rise in cyber insurance premiums for local governments in 2025, driven by ransomware claims totaling $1B, forcing budget reallocations.

• Why It Matters: Premium hikes strain local finance teams, requiring new risk mitigation to avoid service cuts.
• Actionable Insights:
  • For Buyers: Negotiate group policies and invest in prevention to cap premiums.
  • For Sellers: Offer cyber insurance consulting for SLED.
• Source: GovTech, Sep 2025

Federal Cyber Funding Bill Advances

Federal News Network covered the House’s advancement of a $2B cyber funding bill on September 20, 2025, prioritizing zero-trust for agencies.

• Why It Matters: The bill could inject funds into federal cyber budgets, but requires matching state contributions.
• Actionable Insights:
  • For Buyers: Prepare matching proposals for zero-trust upgrades.
  • For Sellers: Align solutions with bill priorities for funding streams.
• Source: Federal News Network, Sep 2025

SLED Cyber Workforce Shortage Hits 50K Roles

StateTech highlighted a 50K cyber workforce gap in SLED, with states like Texas offering $10K bonuses to fill roles, impacting operations.

• Why It Matters: Shortages delay cyber initiatives, exposing agencies to risks and legal liabilities.
• Actionable Insights:
  • For Buyers: Launch bonus programs and partner with universities for talent pipelines.
  • For Sellers: Provide managed cyber services to bridge gaps.
• Source: StateTech Magazine, Sep 2025

Higher Ed Cyber Training Mandates Save $100M

Educause noted 30 universities mandating cyber training, reducing incidents by 25% and saving $100M in breach costs.

• Why It Matters: Mandates protect student data, supporting compliance with FERPA and budget stability.
• Actionable Insights:
  • For Buyers: Roll out mandatory training to cut breach risks.
  • For Sellers: Develop interactive cyber training for higher ed.

Source: Educause Review, Sep 2025

Procurement and Partnerships

SLED FY26 Budgets Cut IT by 15%

StateTech reported SLED IT budgets for FY26 down 15% due to federal cuts, forcing prioritization of core services like cyber and cloud.

• Why It Matters: Cuts impact procurement, requiring smarter spending to maintain operations.
• Actionable Insights:
  • For Buyers: Consolidate vendors to stretch budgets 20%.
  • For Sellers: Offer flexible pricing for essential IT.
• Source: StateTech Magazine, Sep 2025

GSA’s Cloud Procurement EO Saves $500M

FedScoop covered OMB’s EO on cloud procurement, standardizing processes and saving $500M in redundant spending.

• Why It Matters: The EO streamlines federal buying, reducing legal reviews and accelerating cloud adoption.
• Actionable Insights:
  • For Buyers: Use standardized templates for cloud RFPs.
  • For Sellers: Comply with EO for faster federal wins.
• Source: FedScoop, Sep 2025

Local Procurement Reforms Boost Minority Vendors

Smart Cities Dive highlighted 25 cities reforming procurement to boost minority vendors by 20%, unlocking $1B in contracts.

• Why It Matters: Reforms drive diversity and innovation in local budgets.
• Actionable Insights:
  • For Buyers: Set minority goals in RFPs to access new funding.
  • For Sellers: Certify for minority status to compete locally.
• Source: Smart Cities Dive, Sep 2025

Higher Ed Procurement for AI Tools Up 40%

Educause reported higher ed AI procurement up 40%, with $300M allocated for ethical tools amid federal grants.

• Why It Matters: Surge influences budgets for AI in teaching and admin.
• Actionable Insights:
  • For Buyers: Prioritize ethical AI in grants for compliance.
  • For Sellers: Target higher ed with grant-aligned AI.
• Source: Educause Review, Sep 2025

Data Privacy & Protection

State AGs Sue Over AI Data Misuse

MeriTalk reported 10 state AGs suing AI vendors for data misuse, seeking $50M in penalties for non-transparent processing.

• Why It Matters: Suits raise legal risks for SLED AI deployments, affecting vendor choices.
• Actionable Insights:
  • For Buyers: Demand transparency clauses in AI contracts.
  • For Sellers: Add data misuse audits to offerings.
• Source: MeriTalk, Sep 2025

Local Data Breach Law Fines Rise 25%

GovTech noted local data breach fines up 25% in 2025, with $20M in penalties for non-compliance, straining municipal budgets.

• Why It Matters: Fines force legal and finance reallocations for better data protection.
• Actionable Insights:
  • For Buyers: Update breach response plans to minimize fines.
  • For Sellers: Offer compliance consulting for locals.
• Source: GovTech, Sep 2025

Higher Ed Data Privacy Grants $150M

Educause highlighted $150M in federal grants for higher ed data privacy tools, tied to FERPA updates.

• Why It Matters: Grants ease budget burdens for student data protection.
• Actionable Insights:
  • For Buyers: Apply for grants to upgrade privacy systems.
  • For Sellers: Develop FERPA-compliant tools for grants.
• Source: Educause Review, Sep 2025

Government IT Modernization

FedScoop 2025 Winners Drive SLED Innovation

FedScoop’s 2025 winners, announced September 21, 2025, showcased AI for SLED services, saving $200M in operations across 30 states.

• Why It Matters: Winners guide modernization budgets for service improvements.
• Actionable Insights:
  • For Buyers: Pilot winners’ tools for SLED upgrades.
  • For Sellers: Target FedScoop for SLED visibility.
• Source: FedScoop, Sep 2025

DMV Modernization Cuts State Costs 20%

StateTech reported digital DMV services in 15 states reducing costs by 20% and improving access for 5M citizens.

• Why It Matters: Modernization eases state budgets and citizen services.
• Actionable Insights:
  • For Buyers: Implement digital DMVs for efficiency.
  • For Sellers: Offer DMV modernization solutions.
• Source: StateTech Magazine, Sep 2025

DCSA Cloud Migration Speeds Clearances 30%

DCSA’s DISS cloud migration reduced clearance times by 30%, impacting federal hiring and security.

• Why It Matters: Migration improves operations and IT efficiency.
• Actionable Insights:
  • For Buyers: Plan cloud migrations with DCSA standards.
  • For Sellers: Support DCSA-compatible cloud tools.
• Source: ExecutiveGov, Sep 2025

Kansas SOS Modernization Enhances Elections

Kansas completed IT modernization, reducing election errors by 15% and serving 1M voters.

• Why It Matters: Modernization sets SLED models for secure services.
• Actionable Insights:
  • For Buyers: Adopt upgrades for election systems.
  • For Sellers: Provide modernization for state offices.

Source: Kansas SOS News, Sep 2025

Closing

The public sector technology landscape is advancing at breakneck speed, driven by AI, cybersecurity, and modernization breakthroughs. From the House’s AI defense amendments to St. Paul’s cyber budget hike, public-private partnerships are delivering transformative results.

As we tackle rising breach costs, procurement trends, and digital equity challenges, collaboration is the key to success. The stories in this edition highlight urgent issues and innovative solutions for federal and SLED leaders.

Your Voice Matters: Ever to Conquer thrives on your insights. Share your success stories, challenges, and solutions at newsletter@evertoconquer.io.

Stay Connected: Subscribe to Ever to Conquer and join thousands of government leaders and industry executives driving progress. Forward this newsletter to colleagues who share our mission of advancing public sector innovation.

Ever to Conquer is published weekly to foster collaboration, break down marketplace barriers, and accelerate innovation across America’s federal and SLED technology ecosystem.

Click Here To Learn More