Defense
Pentagon’s use of commercial telecoms draw scrutiny after Chinese breaches
DOD inspector general plans three-pronged inquest at senators’ urging.
Ideas
Buckle up: The acquisition ride is only going to get bumpier
The zone is being flooded and we’re only two months in.
Modernization
GSA launches FedRAMP revamp
One major goal of the changes is to speed up the timeframe for agencies to get access to the latest technology quickly, “not months or years down the road,” the agency’s acting administrator said.
Acquisition
GSA issues major changes to Multiple Awards Schedule program
Contracts that do not meet sales thresholds will be allowed to expire, among other changes introduced through a new initiative.
Ideas
Back to the future at GSA with contracting executive order
President Trump’s executive order may be familiar for 1990s-era procurement executives.
People
Former election security official announces run for Congress in New York
Cait Conley is running on a Democrat platform to challenge Republican Rep. Mike Lawler in next year’s midterms. She is a combat veteran and served as CISA’s top election security advisor during the 2024 cycle.
People
GSA names new deputy administrator
The agency’s second in command had been serving as an advisor to the acting administrator.
Defense
DOD cuts $580M in programs, contracts and grants
The latest round of Pentagon spending cuts — which include a delayed HR software program — brings the department’s running total of eliminated programs to $800 million since the start of the Trump administration.
Digital Government
Trump pens executive order pushing agencies to share data
The order comes as the administration is dealing with many lawsuits over DOGE access to federal systems and has sparked concerns about further data access among others.
People
NSF CIO Terry Carpenter retires
The National Science Foundation selected veteran and deputy CIO Clyde E. Richards to serve as acting CIO.
Cybersecurity
FCC to investigate potential US operations of restricted Chinese firms
The commission’s new chairman, Brendan Carr, believes that some or all of the companies on the FCC’s Covered List are still operating in the nation.
Acquisition
GSA tightens enforcement of minimum sales requirements for schedule holders
Trump Administration and DOGE revive revenue thresholds to cut administrative costs and remove poor performing schedule holders.
Acquisition
GSA to ‘quadruple' in size to centralize procurement across the government
The head of GSA’s Federal Acquisition Service told employees at a Thursday meeting that the agency will “do about $400 billion” in procurement management under this effort.
Artificial Intelligence
USPS plans to use AI to enhance customer service
USPS Vice President for Customer Experience Marc McCrery said the agency is looking to switch its call center platform to a cloud-based application this summer, which he said will be “the start of our AI journey.”
Modernization
FedRAMP to announce major overhaul next week
The initiative would seek to automate much of the cloud security program’s approval workflow and shift more control to the private sector.
People
CISA's chief AI officer resigned last month
The departure of Lisa Einstein at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency raises questions about the future of artificial intelligence within the agency.
Digital Government
DOGE allies want more online identity verification despite its mixed efficacy
New testing at DHS shows a wide range in the performance of online identity proofing systems. Some simply don’t work well.
People
Air Force CIO announces retirement
Venice Goodwine is stepping down after more than 30 years of federal service.
Ideas
Future-proofing federal data: The need for secure, scalable data infrastructure
Scalability matters.
Cybersecurity