Baroni Center Update April 2026

Fuse at George Mason University Mason Square, Arlington

Our new location is Fuse at George Mason University Mason Square, Arlington. The Fuse building, top left, is a visionary space built for innovation and impact.

Shaping the Business of Government

Meet the Director, Mike Derrios

Greetings! I hope this note finds you well. The Center has been very busy as you can see from the updates here. In addition to planning and rolling out our programming for the year, we have charted a bold new course for the future. I’d encourage you to read our first-ever Strategic Plan to see how the Center intends to magnify impact across the GovCon community and steer growth into the future. Key aspects of our approach include a concerted effort to expand our focus areas, bridging communication and relationship gaps across the GovCon ecosystem, becoming more entrepreneurial to meet the needs of buyers and sellers, and strengthening our outreach efforts through partnerships. As you read the plan, please think about ways that you can engage with us to help fulfill our goals and objectives. We’d love to hear from you.

We’ve had some recent successes that I’d like to share. Last month, we held a webinar which was the first in a three-part series focused on the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul with the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Administrator and the FAR Council executives. They provided great insight about some of the most substantive changes in the new regulation and offered perspective on implementation as FAR 2.0 moves into the rule-making process. The Center also participated along with the Honors College and the Schar School of Policy and Government in finalizing a Memorandum of Understanding with McKinsey & Company to explore opportunities for George Mason University students and to engage in future programming together.

As we move deeper into Spring, there are a variety of ways to get involved with Center activities. Next month on May 19th, we will host our second webinar “AI in Proposal Evaluations: What Could Go Wrong?” which will focus on how AI is being considered in the government’s source selection process and potential impacts. Registration is free and open. We are also planning an in-person event in our new home, Fuse at Mason Square, called “Stories of GovCon” which will bring practitioners together with George Mason students to discuss the stories behind the contracts and the careers in this unique industry. We will also be publishing two new white papers focused on OTAs through the eyes of the contractor and the evolving role of VARS and Resellers. And the official launch of our new podcast will be announced soon! You’ll have a chance to go inside the business of government with us where policy meets practice as we have candid dialogue with the people who are shaping federal acquisition.

Take care and thanks again for your support of the Greg & Camille Baroni Center for Government Contracting!

New Strategic Plan

The Greg and Camille Baroni Center for Government Contracting influences innovation and drives impact for industry, government, and academia via thought leadership, education, and partnership. Read the plan.