The Daily Scoop Podcast – Episode Summary

Episode Title: DHS shutdown puts strain on security, information-sharing ahead of World Cup
Date: February 25, 2026
Host: Billy Mitchell

Episode Overview

This episode focuses on the significant impact of the ongoing partial shutdown at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted in multiple U.S. cities. The discussion also covers the State Department’s recent $10 billion in IT contract awards under its Evolve program, advancing federal IT modernization.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. DHS Shutdown & World Cup Security Challenges

The ongoing partial DHS shutdown is straining the ability of host cities to prepare for the influx of visitors and heightened security demands of the 2026 FIFA World Cup (01:00).
On Sunday, Secretary Kristi Noem limited Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) operations strictly to “bare minimum life saving operations.” (01:10)
The shutdown has resulted in delays in disbursing the $625 million FIFA World Cup Grant Program, intended for security, cybersecurity, readiness exercises, and information-sharing enhancements for host cities (01:26).
During a House Homeland Security hearing:
- Joseph Mabin, Deputy Chief of Kansas City, Missouri Police, testified that funding is critical for resource augmentation:
  
  “We just don’t have enough officers within my own department to cover all the threats.” (02:10)
- Kansas City is notably challenged, hosting four team base camps, an 18-day fan festival, six matches (including a quarter-final), and accommodating more than 650,000 visitors. This spans 10 counties and 2 states, requiring unprecedented coordination (02:20).
- Mabin highlighted the scale, calling it the “largest coordinated deployment of mutual aid partners in the city’s history.” (02:39)

2. State Department’s $10 Billion IT Modernization Awards

The State Department announced nearly 50 indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract awards under its Evolve IT modernization program (03:00).
28 contractors were selected across five categories:
- IT management, cloud/data centers, application development, network/telecom, and end-user support (03:10).
- Notable awardees: Leidos and SAIC, each receiving four contracts.
- Cloud/data center services and application development received the most awards (14 and 13, respectively).
Department spokesperson applauded teamwork in the procurement:

“Kudos to all the government employees and contractor support staff who contributed to the EVOLVE procurement. This has been and continues to be a true team effort.” (03:35)
The Evolve program started in 2022 to better meet IT contracting needs as alternatives were deemed insufficient (03:50).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Joseph Mabin, Kansas City Police (02:10):
“We just don’t have enough officers within my own department to cover all the threats.”
Kansas City on logistical complexity (02:20):
Details on hosting events over “10 counties and two states,” emphasizing the difficulty in communication and coordination.
State Department spokesperson (03:35):
“Kudos to all the government employees and contractor support staff who contributed to the EVOLVE procurement. This has been and continues to be a true team effort.”

Important Timestamps

00:53 – 03:00: DHS shutdown and impact on World Cup security, FEMA limitations, delayed grant funding.
02:10: Testimony from Joseph Mabin on law enforcement staffing needs.
02:20 – 02:39: Description of Kansas City’s event scale and regional coordination challenges.
03:00 – 03:50: Overview of State Department’s Evolve IT contract awards, category breakdown, and statement from spokesperson.

Summary

This episode brings to light the serious implications of the DHS shutdown for host city security operations as the U.S. approaches the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It underscores the urgent need for federal support and funding to ensure preparedness amid extraordinary logistical demands. The episode also highlights the federal government’s commitment to IT modernization, as evidenced by the State Department’s substantial contract awards under the Evolve program, reinforcing the importance of collaboration across agencies and contractors.

For further details and a full list of awarded contractors, listeners are encouraged to visit FedScoop.com.

Transcript

A (0:00)

Today on the Daily Scoop Podcast from the Scoop News Group. The DHS shutdown puts strain on security and information sharing ahead of the World cup, and the State Department makes multiple awards under its $10 billion IT program. Of all it's Wednesday, February 25, 2026.

B (0:20)

Welcome to the Daily Scoop Podcast where

A (0:22)

you'll hear the latest news and trends facing government leaders. I'm the host of the Daily Scoop Podcast, Billy Mitchell. Thanks so much for joining me. One quick programming note before we get into the headlines. The show will be on a brief break over the next few days, but we'll be back on Tuesday to give you the top news. And now let's dive into the day's top headlines. The ongoing partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security is impacting the preparation of Cities hosting the 2026 FIFA World cup, according to stakeholder testimony Tuesday. This past Sunday, Secretary Kristi Noem began halting all non disaster related Federal Emergency Management Agency response efforts and scaled back FEMA operations to bare minimum life saving operations. Only host city representatives said the agency has yet to send out the $625 million investment referred to as the FIFA World Cup Grant Program that Congress already appropriated as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The FIFA World Cup Grant program is meant to support security activities including training and readiness exercises, cybersecurity, defense and operational requirements associated with increased information sharing and analysis needs. With just over 100 days before the World cup festivities begin, officials advocated for the release of funding during a House Homeland Security hearing. One of those representatives was Joseph Mabin, deputy chief of the Kansas City, Missouri Police, who told lawmakers that the FIFA funding would be critical for staffing and mutual aid partners to come and assist. He said, quote, we just don't have enough officers within my own department to cover all the threats, unquote. Kansas City is set to host four team base camps, an 18 day fan festival and six matches at Arrowhead Stadium over three weeks, including a quarter final game. The Kansas City hosted events crossed 10 counties and two states, adding complexity to communication and coordination. Maven said the city is expecting to welcome more than 650,000 visitors, an influx that Mabin characterized as requiring the largest coordinated deployment of mutual aid partners in the city's history. Mabin was just one of several witnesses who testified Tuesday about the strain that the shutdown is putting on their preparations. Now. In other news, the Department of State announced nearly 50 indefinite delivery indefinite quantity awards under its Evolve program aimed at IT modernization last week. In a notice posted to SAM.gov, the department said 28 contractors had received awards spanning five function categories for services related to IT management, cloud and data centers, application development, network and telecommunications, and end user support. The contract has a ceiling of $10 billion and a base period of one year, with six one year option periods. Of all the categories, cloud and data center services and application development had the Most awardees with 14 and 13 respectively. Leidos and SAIC had the highest number of awards across the categories, winning four contracts each. A State Department spokesperson said in an emailed statement Tuesday to FedScoop that the Department of State Bureau of Global Acquisition is pleased to announce the award of multiple indefinite delivery indefinite quantity contracts under the EVOLVE program advancing leadership in IT Modernization across the global mission. They added quote, kudos to all the government employees and contractor support staff who contributed to the EVOLVE procurement. This has been and continues to be a true team effort, unquote. The Department began the search for contractors under evolve in 2022 as an answer to its IT contract needs. At the time, State said it made the decision to pursue the solicitation after determining alternatives such as recompeting current contracts and using existing government wide acquisition vehicles wouldn't be feasible. To see who the other winners are and for more news at the intersection of the federal government and technology, make sure to visit fedscoop.com thanks so much for tuning in to another episode of