FCW Insider: August 13, 2021

A tribute to Soraya Correa, DHS' procurement icon

Steve Kelman reflects on a 40-year career that brought real innovation to federal acquisition.

Digital ID left out of infrastructure bill

A plan to get federal support and funding behind digital identity proofing as a way to combat benefits fraud wound up on the cutting-room floor as the Senate crafted its $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill.

HHS announces vaccine mandate for public-facing health care workers

Nearly 25,000 HHS employees will be required to get vaccinated against COVID-19 amid a surge in national infections, Secretary Xavier Becerra announced on Thursday.

New Solarium report highlights policy strides, funding stumbling blocks

Much of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission's recommendations are "on track" to being implemented, but funding issues loom for some.

Quick Hits

*** A group of technology and contractor trade associations including the National Defense Industrial Association, the Professional Services Council and the Intelligence and National Security Alliance are seeking an extension of the provision in the CARES Act which allows for the compensation of contractors who are idled as a result of COVID-19 restrictions. The trade groups asked House and Senate appropriators for an extension of the measure in a continuing resolution to fund the government, which is expected to be needed at the close of fiscal year 2021.

*** According to an oversight report, the IRS needs to do a better job managing invoices and payments to IT service contractors to make sure that payment information is fully documented. The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration released its findings in an Aug. 9 report. The IRS largely agreed with the findings and noted that improvement to its contract writing system will "minimize" data entry mistakes.