No, we’re not talking about resurrecting Renaissance Venice, but rather about the incoming Trump Administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).  The DOGE organization, currently led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, is making sweeping suggestions about closing entire agencies and slashing the government workforce by 50%.  Contractors, too, are a target as they are believed to be systematically overcharging the government at every turn.  There will be changes – small and large – coming to the agencies you work with and on how you conduct that work.  It’s too early to tell whether today’s rhetoric will match tomorrow’s reality, but no one should think the rhetoric won’t be matched with action on some level.  Many changes, however, will have to go through Congress and perhaps even be adjudicated by federal courts.  There are still three co-equal branches of government, even if the Executive Branch is getting all the headlines.  Similarly, Congressmen and Senators are often ok with speaking broadly about cuts, until their own state or district is targeted. Even with a narrow House majority, Republicans still must run again in two years.  Making moves that gut the businesses of their constituents is not a path to reelection.  At the same time, though, contractors may also benefit from certain DOGE actions. If the emphasis, for example, is really on efficiency and not just slashing spending across the board, companies could see fewer rules clouding their contracts, less contract duplication, and an improved acquisition workforce that moves at the speed of need.  Companies should absolutely be part of this process (See below) and ensure that their input is heard.  Sitting on the sidelines is a good way to take an unexpected hit.