The JR & Ali Show

The latest CMS forecast is here, and while the numbers remained relatively steady, the real story is happening behind the scenes. In this episode, JR and Ali, and returning guest Mike Sacca break down the organizational shifts, procurement trends, and contract activity shaping the CMS marketplace. The discussion explores what the creation of the Office of Health Technology Products (OHTP) could me...

The latest CMS forecast is out, and while the total number of opportunities remains steady, the story is in the details. On this episode, JR, Ali, and returning guest Robert Suggs of Dynanet Corporation discuss the shifting CMS procurement landscape, from forecast changes and market research efforts to evolving acquisition strategies and major modernization initiatives. The conversation explores w...

What does the future of healthcare program integrity look like when fraud is stopped before the money ever leaves the door? On this episode of The JR & Ali Show, CMS Deputy Administrator and COO Kim Brandt shares how the agency is transforming its approach to fraud, waste, and abuse through AI, machine learning, real-time analytics, and unprecedented collaboration across government and industr...

On this episode of The JR & Ali show, JR Glass, President of GovCon Growth Solutions, and Ali Steer, President of Steer Operational Solutions, are joined by Hytham Said , Vice President at Scope Infotech. The discussion explores why opportunities are moving, disappearing, or changing contract vehicles and how smart business development teams are adapting in real time. From staffing shortages a...

JR & Ali welcome Doug Bergevin to break down one of the biggest shifts happening across HHS and CMS acquisition, what the move to OMAS really means for industry. From organizational changes to the realigning of work, this conversation goes beyond the headlines to unpack what contractors should actually expect in the months ahead. Part of the conversation is SPARC, why it’s been identified for...

On this episode, JR and Ali are joined by Phil Surine , President at Medkasa, who returns to unpack the latest CMS budget and forecast and what it all actually means for contractors trying to navigate a rapidly shifting landscape. With FY27 priorities coming into focus, Phil breaks down how past initiatives are resurfacing, where new investments are being made, and why not every big announcement t...

On this episode of The JR & Ali Show, hosts JR Glass, President of GovCon Growth Solutions, and Ali Steer, President of Steer Operational Solutions, are joined by returning guest Robert Hicks , Principal at TransformIT Professional Services. The trio dives into a rapidly evolving CMS landscape, where one message is coming through loud and clear: CMS is open for business—and actively engaging w...

On this episode of the JR & Ali Show, hosts JR Glass, President of GovCon Growth Solutions, and Ali Steer, President of Steer Operational Solutions, chat with guest Jason Cullum , a Vice President with Element Solutions and a seasoned Health IT veteran with more than 20 years of experience, including over 15 years working directly with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Jaso...

The January edition of the JR and Ali Show brings together a powerhouse trio to break down some of the biggest moves unfolding across Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services right now. JR and Ali, who consistently bring sharp perspective and know how to pull in the right voices, are joined by Phil Surine , President of Federal Health Services at Medkasa, for a timely and insight packed conver...

JR Glass, President of GovCon Growth Solutions, and Ali Steer, President of Steer Operational Solutions, are joined by Tim Clark of LMI, a long-standing leader in CMS digital modernization.  The three analyze key shifts in the December CMS forecast, highlighting trends such as continued consolidation of contracts, the impact of government slowdowns, and the rise of limited-invite procurements. The...

The CMS shutdown is behind us. The forecast is out. The pace is picking up fast across OIT and the broader CMS ecosystem. This episode of the JR and Ali Show brings you the kind of insider clarity everyone needs as we head into the final stretch before Thanksgiving.   JR Glass, President of GovCon Growth Solutions, and Ali Steer, President of Steer Operational Solutions, are joined by a guest the...

On this episode of The JR & Ali Show, hosts JR Glass, President of GovCon Growth Solutions, and Ali Steer, President of Steer Operational Solutions, are joined by Robert Hicks, Principal at TransformIT Professional Services.   With more than 25 years driving growth for some of the top names in Federal Health, Robert brings deep perspective on what it takes to lead through uncertainty. One week...

On this episode of the JR & Ali Show, hosts JR Glass, President of GovCon Growth Solutions, and Ali Steer, President of Steer Operational Solutions, chat with guest Jason Cullum . They dive into the newly released September CMS forecast, unpacking the shifts, surprises, and opportunities hiding in the details. From the removal of tier two projects to emerging consolidation trends across servic...

On this episode of the JR & Ali Show, hosts JR Glass, President of GovCon Growth Solutions, and Ali Steer, President of Steer Operational Solutions, are joined by someone who needs no introduction in the HHS and CMS space: Anita Allen . A respected former HHS small business specialist and relentless advocate for industry, Anita has spent years helping companies navigate the complex, fast-movin...

In this episode of The JR & Ali Show, we’re joined once again by Lee Ann Crochunis, Deputy Director of the Office of Information Technology at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. With a career that spans both government and industry, Lee Ann brings valuable perspective on the current priorities at CMS and the evolving role of IT in supporting agency-wide goals. From navigating mi...

In this episode of The JR & Ali Show special guest  Mike Sacca , a senior thought leader in federal healthcare contracting with over 40 years of experience, joins the conversation. Together, they dive deep into the evolving landscape of fraud prevention at CMS, the future of Medicare Advantage oversight, and how industry and government can better collaborate to prevent abuse before it happens....

In this midsummer edition of The JR and Ali Show, listen in to unpack what’s happening behind the scenes at CMS. From a major churn in the July forecast, where 20% of opportunities changed month over month, to the deeper implications of sole-source awards, follow-on extensions, and TBD acquisition paths, they dive into how CMS is trying to keep moving despite resource constraints and workforce red...

In this episode of The JR and Ali Show,  Robert Suggs  joins the conversation to share his insights on the evolving Federal Health landscape. A former CMS Contracting Officer Representative and Program leader, Robert now serves as a Federal Health leader at rapidly emerging Federal Health player Dynanet Corporation, bringing a unique perspective shaped by experience on both the government and indu...

In this episode of The JR and Ali Show, JR Glass , President of GovCon Growth Solutions, chats with guest Jason Cullum , Vice President with Element. They offer a candid, forward-looking view into how CMS is approaching procurement, innovation, and industry collaboration. Their message is clear: CMS is listening. They’re prioritizing outcomes, updating forecasts, and creating space for meaningful...

In this episode of The JR and Ali Show, JR Glass , President of GovCon Growth Solutions and Ali Steer , President of Steer Operational Solutions welcome special guest, former CMS leader Jeffrey Grant shares his personal journey from his retirement from government to launching Schedule F Healthcare Strategies, an organization dedicated to supporting recently laid-off federal employees. With over 30...

In this timely episode of The JR and Ali Show, JR Glass , President of GovCon Growth Solutions and Ali Steer , President of Steer Operational Solutions, welcome special guest Brian Hebbel, President, BARC BusinessAdvisors. With over 34 years of experience inside government contracting and a new perspective from the industry side, Brian dives into the real-time impact of recent Reduction-in-Force (...

In this episode of The JR and Ali Show, JR Glass , President of GovCon Growth Solutions and Ali Steer , President of Steer Operational Solutions welcome special guest Jason Cullum , Vice President of Digital Services with Element Solutions. The trio discuss the evolving landscape of federal contracting and break down the impact of recent executive orders, contract cancellations, and shifting procu...

In the ever-changing landscape of government contracting, adaptability is key—especially in the world of federal health. In this episode of The JR and Ali Show, JR Glass , President of GovCon Growth Solutions and Ali Steer , President of Steer Operational Solutions welcome special guest Mike Finkel , CEO of Sparksoft. They dive into the the non-CMS forecast for Februay, brain drain within the gove...

Curious about what’s happening in the CMS contracting landscape?  JR Glass , President of GovCon Growth Solutions and  Ali Steer , President of Steer Operational Solutions are back! This episode unpacks January’s forecast, highlighting key shifts such as the removal of high-value opportunities like MAPS and NPAS, and intriguing updates on sole source awards. Discover insights on potential market r...