Help us find DOD's top disruptors

The internet, GPS and unmanned aerial systems all spun out of Defense Department initiatives. Much of the machine learning and advanced analytics powering the data-driven economy are made possible by government-funded research. And agencies themselves are being transformed by new technologies and innovative ways of weaving IT into critical missions.

Public-sector tech, in other words, is far cooler than the government often gets credit for. So Defense Systems is proud to partner with its sister publications FCW, GCN and Washington Technology on the 2018 Government Information Awards, and to give these innovators the credit they deserve. 

These awards cover three different groups:

• Public Sector Innovations:  Transformative tech being deployed or tested in government that is truly reinventing an agency's mission.  
• Industry Innovators:  The contractor firms that are advancing the technologies critical to tomorrow's government.
• Rising Stars:  Individual awards for outstanding early-career leaders in both government and industry.

Nominations for the 2018 awards are now being accepted, with a submission deadline of July 6. The nomination forms, selection criteria and additional information can all be found at GovernmentInnovationAwards.com.

So please be thinking about the true innovators across the defense IT community.   Submit your nominations and spread the word, so that the best examples of government innovation can get the recognition they deserve.