FCW Insider: March 11
The latest news and analysis from FCW's reporters and editors.
Officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told lawmakers on Tuesday that more money for data modernization would improve the agency's detection and tracking capabilities for emerging diseases, and would have helped alert officials earlier to the spread of coronavirus. Derek B. Johnson has more.
The U.S. Citizens and Immigration Service told an employee union that a telework plan would be put in place as a result of concerns about the spread of coronavirus. Additionally, the Securities and Exchange Commission is encouraging headquarters employees to take advantage of an existing telework program because of concerns an employee may have suffered an infection. Lia Russell reports.
David Norquist, the deputy defense secretary, said the Army's new augmented reality headset that enhances soldiers' situational awareness could see significant delays without on-time funding, and urged lawmakers to avoid opening fiscal year 2021 with a continuing resolution. Lauren C. Williams explains.
Agile software and software security techniques are taking a firmer hold as agencies look for faster, better ways to provide services. At a tech conference, Ron Ross of the National Institute of Standards and Technology explained why he was shifting his focus to DevSecOps. Mark Rockwell takes a look.
Quick Hits
*** Perspecta has filed a new protest in its bid to overturn the award in the $8 billion Defense Enterprise Office Solutions cloud-based software program. Perspecta filed the new protest with the Government Accountability Office on March 6. The company told Washington Technology in a statement that the General Services Administration, which is managing the DEOS acquisition on behalf of the Defense Department, improperly disclosed information about its pricing to General Dynamics IT, the winner in the DEOS contract. A revised award decision had been expected in response to Perspecta's earlier protests. The new protest is in anticipation of that re-award.
*** The House of Representatives passed a slate of recommendations from the bipartisan Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress designed to update technology, human resources, access to documents and training. The bill also includes a provision to require cybersecurity training for House members.
*** The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is wrapping up a project to move its fisheries websites to a cloud-based content management system. Read more on this story in GCN.