FCW Insider: Feb. 25

The Defense Department released its first official artificial intelligence ethics principles that it says will shape how it develops and implements the technology. Lauren C. Williams reports.

A significant reduction in the backlog of security clearance investigations over the past two years has contractors feeling more optimistic, but concerns about lengthy adjudications and reciprocity between federal agencies still linger. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) says more focused oversight could help. Derek B. Johnson has more.

The Defense Department's new delegated authority covering collective bargaining could suddenly sink existing union agreements if put into effect, experts told FCW. Lia Russell explains.

The Office of Federal Procurement Policy got comments on plans to revise language on when federal procurements begin and end, to improve data collection on acquisition delays. Mark Rockwell takes a look.

The Transportation Security Administration has ordered employees to stop posting agency videos to the Chinese-owned video sharing app TikTok. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) objected to the practice in a recent letter. Adam Mazmanian has the story.

In his latest blog post, Steve Kelman plugs an underutilized management tool can help your organization perform better – the simple act of asking for help.

Quick Hits

*** While the national union has yet to endorse a candidate in the 2020 Presidential race, the American Federation of Government Employees Local 704 became the first AFGE local to do so. On Feb. 24, the Chicago-based union announced that its members had voted to endorse Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), citing his support for the Environmental Protection Agency’s Workers' Bill of Rights and collective bargaining. AFGE Local 704 represents about 1,000 EPA workers in the Midwest.

"Federal workers' rights are under attack. Sanders unequivocally supports federal unions in our efforts to fight Trump’s union-busting regime," AFGE Local 704 President Nicole Cantello said in a statement. "In endorsing Sanders today, we hope to inspire other federal unions to speak out for the good of our nation, and our planet."

*** A bill that would require public companies to disclose whether any partners or board members have cybersecurity experience would cost the Securities and Exchange Commission less than $500,000 to put into place, according to an estimate from the Congressional Budget Office. The Cybersecurity Disclosure Act of 2019 tasks the National Institute for Standards and Technology with defining relevant cybersecurity experience. The bill was reported favorably by the House Committee on Financial Services last December.