Public Sector Pulse

Dear Public Sector Colleagues,
Happy New Year and welcome to 2025! This year is a pivotal moment for SLED IT. With leadership changes at the National and State levels, expect shifts in policy, funding, and priorities like Data Centers and Gen AI. My two suggested resolutions for the year: (1) 2025 will be a year of disruption—stay calm and embrace it. (2) Improve your professional demeanor by understanding others' perspectives, even if you disagree.

- Nelson Moe, Director of SLED Strategy, Iron Bow Technologies

Solutions Spotlight

What is Digital Transformation and How Does AI Play a Role?

At Iron Bow, Digital Transformation (DT) leverages technology to improve operations, deliver value, and address pain points with outcome-driven solutions. In the SLED sector, DT enhances decision-making and services, with AI playing a pivotal role in tackling challenges and streamlining operations.

Key technologies transforming the operations of SLED organizations include:

• Agentic AI enables proactive operations, such as using sensors to detect road damage and dispatch repair crews automatically, improving safety and trust.
• Generative AI (GenAI) is revolutionizing communication. It automates tasks like responding to permit applications, reducing delays and freeing staff for complex work, boosting efficiency and satisfaction.
• Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) integrates AI with real-time data, enabling quick analysis of student performance and budgets for faster decisions.

Let Iron Bow support your organization in achieving measurable results with AI-driven solutions. We help streamline operations, enhance communication, and make data-driven decisions—all while minimizing disruption and maximizing impact.

- Nicholas Serapiglia, Director, Digital Transformation, Iron Bow Technologies

Trends to Watch

Emerging Trends in State and Local Education & Government

• Cyber
  • CMMC Requirements Hit the Street! | Federal Register
  • Post-Quantum Cryptography Standards | NIST

• State CIO Priorities
  • 2025 State CIO TOP 10 Priorities | NASCIO

• AI
  • Manhattan Project for AI? | Reuters
  • Free AI Training to Maryland State Employees | MD DOIT
  • What Is Retrieval-Augmented Generation, aka RAG? | NVIDIA

Upcoming Events

Pennsylvania Educational Technology Expo & Conference (PETE&C)

Proud Exhibitor

February 9-12, 2025

MTC's Technology Transformation Conference

Proud Sponsor, Exhibitor, & Speaker

February 13, 2025

Virginia Association of Governmental Procurement (VAGP) Spring Conference

Proud Sponsor

March 30 - April 2, 2025

K-12 E-Rate Funding

Looking to Maximize Your E-Rate Dollars?

E-Rate funding has made technology more accessible to schools and libraries; here are 10 tips to help maximize its benefits:

1. Know that the E-Rate program provides $8B in funding with a five-year budget cycle
2. Calculate the budget for your school: Enrollment x $167 = pre-discount budget
3. Assess resources and assign responsibility for managing your application
4. Create a tech vision for your school or library -- think bigger picture!

5. Assess needs and prioritize Wi-Fi upgrades as 98% of applicants consider it critical 

6. Design your network to align with your vision, goals, and priorities
7. Use a competitive bidding process
8. Understand the E-Rate Productivity Center (EPC) and meet your deadlines
9. Identify matching and other funding sources
10. Manage the process year-round

Source: Cisco & Funds for Learning Survey

Grants & State Funding

Funding the Future with Grants

The United States Department of Agriculture's Rural Utility Services (RUS) has opened the Distance Learning & Telemedicine (DLT) Grant. This program helps rural communities leverage advanced telecommunications to overcome remoteness and low population density. Applications due March 6.

State Funding Highlights

• NASBO Fiscal Survey of States 2024 Report
• Budget: Indicates modest/flat budgets, likely continuing into 2025
• Spending: Fiscal 2025 to decline 0.3%, but 31 states expect increases (~1.9%)
• Revenue: Fiscal 2025 up 1.9% from 2024; 39 states exceeded 2024 estimates
• Tax Policy: Fiscal 2025 sees fewer changes; 27 states with cuts, 10 with increases

Resource Center

Avoid Costly Audit Failures and Secure Your Funding

Achieving Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) compliance is essential for securing funding and maintaining eligibility for contracts and grants, particularly for higher education institutions involved in research and development. Let us help you navigate CMMC requirements and reduce cybersecurity risks.

Connect With Us

Contact Your SLED Account Manager

Email us at SLED@ironbow.com to get in touch with your Account Manager and learn more about our SLED Contract Vehicles.