FCW Insider: November 12, 2021

The struggle to modernize state UI systems

The Labor Department and the U.S. Digital Service are taking a central role in efforts to develop modernized, modular UI technology for states.

Who's going to volunteer for the new CMMC?

The Defense Department is looking for contractors to test out its revamped cybersecurity standard to protect unclassified but sensitive data.

Speed bumps for VA's new scheduling system

A watchdog report identified gaps in training and oversight for the new scheduling system being implemented at VA medical facilities

CISA chief tees up cyber directives for the water and chemical sectors

CISA Director Jen Easterly said new directives for the water and chemical industries were coming soon in the wake of the passage of the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which includes cybersecurity requirements for public water systems.

Quick Hits

*** The Safer Federal Workforce Taskforce issued new guidance on Wednesday for federal contractors, putting official documents in line with the newly delayed vaccination deadline for federal contractors. Contractors are facing Jan. 18, 2022 deadline to be fully vaccinated.

A related economic analysis from the Office of Management and Budget in the Federal Register set to be published on Nov. 16 laid out the government's reasoning for the mandate and accompanying requirements for masking and distancing in the workplace.

"The overall effect of enacting these protocols for Federal contractors and subcontractors will be to decrease the spread of COVID-19, which will in turn decrease worker absence, save labor costs on net, and thereby improve efficiency in Federal contracting," the notice says.

*** Washington Technology editor Nick Wakeman hosts an episode of the Project 38 podcast featuring FCW editors and reporters on the Department of Veterans Affairs' electronic health modernization project, the Defense Department's struggles with its cybersecurity program for the industrial base and the White House's shifting deadlines for contractor vaccination.