FCW Insider: September 15, 2021
The latest news and analysis from FCW's reporters and editors.
House Dems seek $1B for IRS to improve access to child tax credit
The IRS had come under criticism for an online tool targeting the neediest recipients of advance child tax credit payments that was not mobile-friendly and lacked non-English language resources.
How the Pentagon copes with funding hiccups
The Government Accountability Office examines some of the Defense Department's tactics to lessen the effects of inconsistent funding during continuing resolutions.
DOD wants industry to continue with CMMC prep amid program review
Dr. Christine Michienzi, the chief technology officer for the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Policy, said while results were coming soon, defense contractors should "continue on" with updates to cybersecurity practices as DOD finalizes its review of its Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program.
ICYMI: OPM looks to modernize IT, set up revolving fund
In a report to Congress, the Office of Personnel Management said it largely agreed with a set of recommendations from the National Academy of Public Administration about the future of the HR agency.
Quick Hits
*** Three former U.S. government intelligence officers agreed to pay more than $1.6 million in fines as part of a plea agreement with the Department of Justice to settle charges of violating export controls for supplying the United Arab Emirates with sophisticated hacking tools that allowed the government to compromise targeted phones and devices.
"Hackers-for-hire and those who otherwise support such activities in violation of U.S. law should fully expect to be prosecuted for their criminal conduct," acting Assistant Attorney General Mark J. Lesko for the Justice Department’s National Security Division said in a statement.
*** The General Services Administration named Waldo Jaquith as senior advisor to agency administrator Robin Carnahan. Jaquith will coordinate GSA's push to help state, local, tribal and other U.S. government entities with technology procurement, according to an agency press release. Jaquith previously worked at GSA in the 18F innovation shop and in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
*** Sage Communications co-founder and CEO Larry Rosenfeld is retiring after 17 years at the firm. Washington Technology has more on this story.