FORUM Announces 2026 Disruptive Tech Award Winners; CMS Deputy Administrator to Deliver Keynote at March 17 Ceremony

Event features technology demonstrations from Google, OpenAI, Palantir, and Anthropic alongside recognition of federal innovation leaders

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ARLINGTON, VA – February 10, 2026 – FORUM, the premier networking organization connecting federal technology leaders and government contractors, today announced the winners of its 2026 Disruptive Tech Awards. The awards recognize groundbreaking technology initiatives that are fundamentally transforming how federal agencies deliver mission-critical services to citizens.

The Disruptive Tech Awards honor federal programs that demonstrate measurable impact through innovative technology implementation, exemplary cross-agency collaboration, and strategic partnerships between government and industry. Winners were selected through a rigorous peer nomination and evaluation process, with selections based on technological innovation, mission impact, scalability, and collaborative excellence.

"These award-winning programs represent the cutting edge of federal technology transformation," said Mary Ann Brown, President of FORUM. "In an era where agencies face unprecedented challenges—from cybersecurity threats to modernization imperatives—these leaders are proving that innovative technology, combined with strategic partnerships, can deliver extraordinary results for the American people."

This year's winners span critical federal priorities including artificial intelligence implementation, cloud migration, zero trust architecture, customer experience transformation, and data-driven decision making. The recognized programs demonstrate how federal agencies are leveraging emerging technologies to improve efficiency, enhance security, and deliver better outcomes for citizens.

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CMS Deputy Administrator to Deliver Keynote Address

FORUM is honored to announce that Kimberly Brandt, Deputy Administrator and Chief Operating Officer of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services(CMS), will deliver the keynote address at the March 17 ceremony. Brandt oversees CMS's $1.4 trillion budget and has played a pivotal role in developing groundbreaking interoperability regulations that are transforming healthcare delivery.

"Kim Brandt brings unparalleled insight into how technology is reshaping both healthcare and government operations," said Brown. "Her leadership bridging policy, innovation, and operational excellence makes her the perfect voice to inspire our community of federal technology leaders and industry partners."

Brandt's distinguished career spans senior executive positions across government and private sector leadership, including her tenure as Principal Deputy Administrator for Policy and Operations during the first Trump Administration, Chief Oversight Counsel for the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, and strategic advisor to healthcare private equity firms. Her unique perspective on innovation, regulatory reform, and the intersection of policy and technology positions her to deliver insights that will resonate across the federal technology ecosystem.

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Leading Technology Companies to Showcase Innovation

The March 17 event will feature live technology demonstrations from industry-leading companies including Google, OpenAI, Palantir, and Anthropic. These demonstrations will showcase cutting-edge artificial intelligence, cloud computing, data analytics, and emerging technologies that are available to federal agencies today. Attendees will gain hands-on exposure to the platforms and solutions driving digital transformation across government.

"This is more than an awards ceremony—it's an immersive experience where federal leaders can see tomorrow's technology in action," Brown explained. "By bringing together award-winning government programs, visionary leadership from CMS, and demonstrations from the world's most innovative technology companies, we're creating a catalyst for the conversations and partnerships that will shape the next generation of federal innovation."

Winners will be publicly recognized on FORUM's website and social media channels on February 10-11, with detailed program profiles highlighting their innovative approaches and measurable outcomes. The formal awards ceremony takes place on Monday, March 17, 2026, at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Virginia, bringing together federal technology leaders, industry executives, and award-winning teams for an afternoon celebrating excellence in government innovation.

Registration for the March 17 Disruptive Tech Summit and Awards Ceremony is now open at govforum.io. The event provides a unique opportunity for government and industry leaders to connect with the innovators shaping the future of federal technology, experience live demonstrations of transformative technologies, and gain insights from one of government's most influential technology leaders.

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For sponsorship opportunities, media inquiries, or additional information about the Disruptive Tech Awards, contact Mary Ann Brown at maryann.brown@govforum.io.

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About FORUM

FORUM is the leading organization connecting federal technology leaders and government contractors through premier events, awards programs, and educational content. Through initiatives including the IT100 Awards, Disruptive Tech Summit, IMPACT Women in Leadership Awards, and Innovation Awards, FORUM recognizes excellence and fosters the strategic partnerships that drive mission success across the federal technology landscape. Learn more at govforum.io.

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Media Contact:
Mary Ann Brown
President, FORUM
maryann.brown@govforum.io

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