FCW Insider: June 5

Sen. Hassan digs into agency IT plans

The push comes, the New Hampshire Democrat explained, because of technology weaknesses exposed in the federal government response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Adam Mazmanian has more.

Ransomware attack hits federal IT contractor

Files containing sensitive data from DMI's work with NASA were leaked on the web, and the agency said it is following up with law enforcement. Other key customers for the firm include DOD, HHS and the State Department. Derek B. Johnson reports.

GAO probes influence of 'Mar-a-Lago crowd' on VA

A former VA official told the Government Accountability Office that three friends of President Trump established a "shadow reporting structure" in which "they were stakeholders without a formal role." Adam explains.

AFGE urges Congress to back labor priorities in defense bill

Priorities include preserving collective bargaining rights, granting paid family leave. Lia Russell takes a look.

Quick Hits

*** Two intelligence agencies announced major IT awards this week. The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency awarded a 10-year, $1.5 billion enterprise information technology services contract to CACI International. The Defense Intelligence Agency awarded a $401 million task order to Leidos for IT operations and maintenance support. Washington Technology has more on the deals.

*** Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) said he would block confirmation votes on two Trump administration appointees until he receives answers from the White House on the sudden firing of inspectors general at the Department of State, the Intelligence Community. Grassley said he'll block any unanimous consent motion to confirm Christopher C. Miller to be the director of the National Counterterrorism Center until he gets specific answers on the firing of Intelligence Community Inspector General Michael Atkinson. The same goes for the nomination of Marshall Billingslea to be the undersecretary for arms control and international security at the State Department until Grassley hears back on the firing of State IG Steve Linick.