# Federal Agencies Address AI Governance Gaps

Recent surveys and expert insights reveal significant gaps in AI governance, workforce readiness, and security across federal, state, and local governments, with federal agencies showing more advanced frameworks but still facing challenges. Federal civilian agencies are actively adopting agentic AI technologies to automate complex processes, yet a notable AI skills shortage persists, prompting initiatives like the U.S. Tech Force and agency-specific AI Corps to build expertise. Contractors have opportunities to support AI governance, cybersecurity, workforce development, and acquisition reform efforts, especially as agencies plan increased IT investments and integration of AI into mission workflows.

- Salesforce secured a contract valued up to **$1.6 billion** in July 2026 to integrate AI into Department of Veterans Affairs workflows, signaling growing federal investment in AI-enabled solutions.
- Security, compliance, and inconsistent AI monitoring remain key procurement challenges, highlighting demand for vendors specializing in AI governance frameworks, zero trust cybersecurity, and risk management.
- Workforce development initiatives and acquisition reform efforts create openings for contractors offering training, AI expertise, and streamlined technology transition support.
- The upcoming 2026 FedCiv Summit on October 29 presents a strategic engagement opportunity for contractors to connect with federal technology leaders and align offerings with evolving AI procurement priorities.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Information Technology, Defense & Military
**Topics:** Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity
**Published:** September 25, 2026

### Government Entities
- Federal Agencies
- Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
- Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
- General Services Administration (GSA)

### Vendors
- Salesforce (prime contractor)
- Navteca (prime contractor)
- SolarWinds (IT management software provider)

### Key Quotes
> The question is no longer whether an agency can stand up an AI prototype. Instead, to Collazo, it’s whether that capability can be trusted, secured, integrated with existing systems and operated successfully in a real-world environment.
> — Hector Collazo, President of Navteca

### Sources
- [Survey Finds AI Governance Gaps Across Federal, State, and Local Governments – MeriTalk](https://www.meritalk.com/articles/survey-finds-ai-governance-gaps-across-federal-state-and-local-governments) - MeriTalk
- [SolarWinds Reports AI Governance Gaps in Public Sector IT](https://www.executivebiz.com/articles/solarwinds-public-sector-ai-governance) - ExecutiveBiz
- [Is the Federal Workforce Ready for AI Agents?](https://www.executivegov.com/articles/fedciv-agencies-agentic-ai-govt-workers) - ExecutiveGov