Sovereign Cloud for Government: FedRAMP-Authorized AI
Government sovereign cloud infrastructure deploys AI workloads in FedRAMP-authorized environments (GovCloud, Azure Government) or on-premise infrastructure for the highest-sensitivity workloads. BearPlex builds these systems integrated with agency identity systems, audit logging that satisfies OIG / IG / GAO review, and the operational rigor that public sector environments require. We support FedRAMP Moderate, FedRAMP High, and IL5/6 deployment patterns per agency requirements.
Why Sovereign Cloud Infrastructure matters in Government & Public Sector
Government AI requires sovereign deployment: managed AI services from major commercial providers may not have appropriate FedRAMP authorization, and even FedRAMP-authorized services may not satisfy specific agency sovereignty requirements. The opportunity is real (government AI improves citizen services, agency efficiency); the constraints are sharp (FedRAMP, FISMA, FOIA, sovereignty, cross-border restrictions). The sovereign infrastructure that works in government is designed for these constraints from day one.
Typical sovereign cloud infrastructure use cases in government & public sector
| Application | Description | Timeline | Tech stack |
|---|---|---|---|
| FedRAMP-eligible cloud AI infrastructure | AI infrastructure on AWS GovCloud or Azure Government with FedRAMP Moderate or High. Managed AI where authorized, self-hosted for higher sensitivity. | 16-22 weeks | AWS GovCloud or Azure Government · FedRAMP-eligible managed services · Self-hosted vLLM for higher sensitivity |
| On-premise government AI infrastructure | On-premise GPU clusters for AI workloads requiring no cloud connectivity: highest-sensitivity government work, classified, IL5/6, air-gapped requirements. | 20-28 weeks | NVIDIA H100 / A100 GPU clusters · Kubernetes on-prem · Air-gapped operation patterns |
| FISMA-compliant AI infrastructure | AI infrastructure designed for FISMA Moderate or High compliance. Comprehensive security controls, continuous monitoring, ATO support. | 20-28 weeks | FISMA control implementation · Continuous monitoring · ATO documentation |
| Cross-agency AI infrastructure | AI infrastructure supporting cross-agency data sharing with appropriate authorization frameworks. Identity federation, audit logging across agencies. | 16-22 weeks | Cross-agency identity federation · Authorization framework integration · Audit infrastructure |
| FOIA-aware AI infrastructure | AI infrastructure built for FOIA preservation: every AI interaction preserved, retrievable by records officers, with retention per FOIA expectations. | 12-18 weeks | Comprehensive audit logging · FOIA officer tooling · Retention infrastructure |
What we've learned deploying sovereign cloud infrastructure in government & public sector
Three patterns from BearPlex government sovereign cloud engagements: (1) FedRAMP authorization shapes deployment architecture from day one; different sensitivity levels (Moderate, High, IL5/6) require different infrastructure; (2) Procurement and contracting timelines exceed engineering: federal procurement frequently takes 6-18 months; we structure engagements assuming this; (3) Documentation rigor for ATO is significant: Authority to Operate documentation is a substantial part of government engagement scope.
Government & Public Sector compliance considerations
Government sovereign cloud must respect: FedRAMP authorization (Moderate / High / IL5/6 per sensitivity); FISMA security controls; FOIA preservation requirements; OMB / NIST AI guidance; sector-specific frameworks (HIPAA for HHS, CJIS for criminal justice, etc.); civil rights frameworks where relevant.
Common questions
We support CUI workloads in appropriate environments. For classified workloads (Secret, Top Secret), we partner with prime contractors who hold appropriate clearances.
Yes: common engagement scope. We design infrastructure with FISMA controls implemented from day one and support ATO documentation.
$400K-$1.5M for a 16-22 week engagement depending on FedRAMP / FISMA requirements, sensitivity level, and integration complexity. Hardware costs separate for on-prem.
Yes: designed for. Every AI interaction preserved with appropriate retention; tooling for FOIA officers to retrieve records by criteria; compliance with FOIA and Privacy Act expectations.
Yes: common engagement type. State and local government sovereign cloud requirements parallel federal but with state-specific frameworks (StateRAMP, state public records laws).
We provide the engineering deliverables and documentation that support the agency's ATO process. Final ATO is the agency's authorization decision; we support that decision with appropriate technical documentation.
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