FCW Insider: Dec. 18

CISA: SolarWinds' Orion may not be only entry point for hackers

CISA's latest alert suggests hackers may have found other entry points into the federal government's networks than just the IT management software suite.

GSA preps launch of OASIS replacement

GSA plans a program of customer and industry events and interactions in the early part of 2021 to help shape its OASIS replacement contract.

Navy's aquatic drone plan faces operational hurdles

One Navy leader explained that the technological difficulties are outstripped by the organizational challenges.

Non-traditional small IT contractors: 'A well-established niche that is here to stay'

Steve Kelman checks in with another startup firm finding its way into government IT.

Quick Hits

*** Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), the second-ranking member in the Senate leadership, warned that a short lapse in appropriations could occur over the weekend in advance of a funding vote. Lawmakers have yet to agree on a fiscal year 2021 appropriations package. An extension of the current short-term continuing resolution would require a unanimous consent motion to pass in the Senate. That CR expires on Friday.

"I know people who are going to object to that, that want to keep pressure on the process until we get a deal," Thune told reporters on Dec. 17.

Lawmakers are expected to work over the weekend to try to hammer out a deal on funding and on a COVID-19 relief package.

*** The Department of Energy and the National Nuclear Security Administration are the latest to emerge as likely victims of the SolarWinds breach, according to a Dec. 17 report in Politico.

*** Nominations for the 2021 Fed 100 are now being accepted. The deadline for submissions is Dec. 31.