*** The Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board is looking to make life easier for feds who want to make up for lost time on their retirement accounts. A new rule proposed Jan. 23 would do away with requirement that that feds complete a separate form to document their catch-up election. Feds over the age of 50 are permitted to exceed the statutory maximum for retirement contributions thanks to a 2002 law.
*** The Department of Defense issued its first task order under the governmentwide Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions contract vehicle. The DOD Education Activity tapped CenturyLink for virtual private networking, internet, voice and video services for its 85 locations around the world. The task order is for one year with 12 option years and has a ceiling value of $75 million.
*** Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) is seeking information from Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos about allegations that his phone was the target of malicious cyber activity directed personally by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. In a Jan. 22 letter, Wyden wants details on the software used in the alleged hack, details on the origins of the intrusion and any forensic investigations conducted at Bezos's direction.