FCW Insider: October 29, 2021
The latest news and analysis from FCW's reporters and editors.
IRS tech, CISA funding in Build Back Better
An effort to put $3.5 billion into key governmentwide tech modernization accounts appears to have come up short in the $1.7 trillion Build Back Better bill, but there's still a lot of technology spending on the table.
White House: 'There's not a cliff here' when it comes to vaccine deadlines
For federal employees and contractors who don't hit vaccination deadlines, processes for remediation will kick in before more serious enforcement measure are taken, White House coronavirus coordinator Jeffrey Zients said.
Federal cyber leaders assess TMF awards
National Cyber Director Chris Inglis said he co-chaired a meeting with top federal cyber leaders this week to analyze current projects with investments from the Technology Modernization Fund.
ICYMI: Blinken announces new cyber bureau at State
The secretary of State named cybersecurity and emerging tech as critical areas for capacity building at State, alongside climate, global health and multilateral technology.
Quick Hits
*** Soraya Correa has launched a new consultancy since retiring after a 40-year career in the federal government. Correa, whose service was capped by a six-year stint as chief procurement officer at the Department of Homeland Security, is now president and CEO of Soraya Correa & Associates.
*** The Senate Armed Services Committee advanced the nomination of Nickolas Guertin to serve as director of operational test and evaluation at the Department of Defense. Guertin noted at his confirmation hearing that the DOD's inability to conduct cyber assessments of commercial cloud systems was a "severe limitation." SASC also advanced the nomination of Douglas Bush to serve as assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology. The nominations await a vote on the Senate floor.
*** The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission will examine the use of artificial intelligence and algorithmic tools in hiring, agency chair Charlotte A. Burrows announced on Thursday. The agency wants to make sure such technologies are in compliance with federal employment law.