GITEC 2025 Emerging Technology Award Winners

DoD Modern Contract Writing Systems Cross-Service Collaboration

Description:

The DoD Modern Contract Writing Systems Cross-Service Collaboration. This groundbreaking initiative brought together the Army, Navy, Air Force, and the 4th Estate to share code, align roadmaps, and accelerate delivery of modern contract writing systems across the Services. Through agile development, open collaboration, and a shared low-code platform, the team achieved rapid transformation while preserving flexibility and competition.

Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center (AFNWC)/NCC, Strategic Mission Planning and Execution Systems (SMPES) Planning Systems, Global Strike, Intel Support Integrated Product Team (IPT), Intel Text Classification Model

Description:

The Strategic Mission Planning and Execution Systems (SMPES) team, a collaboration between AFNWC, USSTRATCOM, and industry partners. They successfully deployed USSTRATCOM’s first operational AI/ML system to streamline intelligence analysis—reducing manual review hours by 71% and accelerating mission-critical decision-making. Their innovative text classification model is now a pathfinder for future AI/ML deployments across the DoD.

Governmentwide Supply Chain & Equity Team

Description:

The Clarence Harrison and the Governmentwide Supply Chain & Equity Team at GSA, whose leadership has helped small and underserved businesses secure over $27 billion in federal contracts. 

Through strategic partnerships, data-driven insights, and groundbreaking tools like niche market reports, the team is transforming the federal procurement landscape into a more inclusive and equitable space.

DoD Workforce Innovation Directorate

Description:

This year’s Workforce and Innovation Award goes to the Department of Defense’s Workforce Innovation Directorate for transforming how the DoD identifies, trains, and manages its cyber workforce. By implementing the Defense Cyber Workforce Framework and launching a robust qualification program, the team has improved hiring precision, professional development, and mission readiness across the department.

DISA J-9 Hosting and Compute (HaC)

Description:

This award goes to DISA J-9 Hosting and Compute, led by Ms. Sharon Woods, for driving cybersecurity innovation across the Department of Defense.

From deploying secure collaboration tools to over 1.2 million users during the pandemic to implementing zero-trust architecture for warfighter operations, her leadership has set new standards for secure, mission-ready technology in defense environments.

Office of Benefits Automation/Modern Claims Processing AND First-time filer customer journey team

Description:

First, the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Office of Benefits Automation modernized claims processing through powerful automation tools that streamline data analysis and accelerate benefits delivery for millions of veterans, led by Paul Shute, Assistant Deputy Under Secretary for the Office of Automated Benefits Delivery (ABD) for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). 

Sharing this honor is the Internal Revenue Service’s First-Time Filer Customer Journey Team, led by Angela Render, Chief, Enterprise Content Branch | Online Services | IRSwho redesigned key areas of IRS.gov to create a smoother, step-by-step experience—making it easier for first-time filers to navigate the tax process and reaching over 100 million page views in the first month alone.

Future of Secure Work Working Group

Description:

This brand-new award category was voted on by hundreds across the public and private sectors—and the response was clear. The Future of Secure Work Working Group is being honored for their impactful whitepaper series, which sets a bold vision for secure, modern, and mobile work environments across government. Their work is already influencing policies and practices that support productivity and security in every domain—from SCIFs to hybrid offices.