Digital Government
Labor seeks to require confidential unemployment data from states
The Labor Department is considering creating a single, national claims database for unemployment compensation information.
Emerging Tech
Oak Ridge announces new quantum computing installation
Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Quantum Brilliance are marrying quantum and classical systems to advance research in multiple domains.
People
Nick Andersen onboards into top CISA cyber position
Andersen has served in both public and private roles, and he held top cybersecurity positions in the Department of Energy in Donald Trump’s first term.
Acquisition
Microsoft offers major discounts to government customers in latest ‘OneGov’ deal
The discounts could be worth as much as $3.1 billion in year one, according to the General Services Administration.
People
Noem terminates 24 FEMA workers for failing to address cyber vulnerabilities
An internal FEMA email obtained by Nextgov/FCW ordered all agency employees to change their passwords “due to recent cybersecurity incidents and threats.”
People
VA's suicide prevention lead departs government
Dr. Matthew Miller, the executive director for VA Suicide Prevention, has overseen efforts to explore the use of innovative solutions during his tenure.
Defense
Pentagon stands up new task force to coordinate anti-drone efforts
The Army will be in charge of the outfit, which will replace the Joint Counter-small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Office.
Artificial Intelligence
Is artificial intelligence a friend, foe or frenemy? NIST wants to find out
The standards agency will be hosting a working session to discuss how AI-empowered attacks can be used to sometimes get around traditional defenses.
Artificial Intelligence
Advocacy groups ask OMB to axe Grok AI procurement
Citing vulnerabilities and biased outputs in the program, multiple advocacy organizations and nonprofits signed a letter to the Office of Management and Budget asking it to bar Elon Musk’s Grok from federal workflows.
Artificial Intelligence
How a national lab is using data and AI to try to speed up permitting
The work to get better environmental permitting data began under Biden and is continuing under Trump.
People
CISA’s head of legislative affairs to soon depart
Kate DiEmidio, who most recently served as the top policy executive at Dragos, is leaving voluntarily after spending three months in the role.
People
3 senior leaders quit after CDC director is ousted
After officials said Susan Monarez was no longer director, its chief medical officer and two high-ranking disease experts resigned, citing budget cuts and politicization.
Acquisition
Quantum computers have an isolation problem and DARPA wants to solve it
An emerging contract vehicle will focus on developing the hardware and software needed to get different types of quantum computers to communicate and work together.
People
Transportation launches administrative consolidation effort
Whether the push to consolidate IT and HR systems will include layoffs isn’t yet clear.
Cybersecurity
Salt Typhoon hackers targeted over 80 countries, FBI says
The Chinese campaign appears to have reached into other organizations beyond the telecom industry, including transportation and military infrastructure networks, according to a Wednesday advisory.
Exclusive
Cybersecurity
Report: Russia-based Yandex employee oversees open-source software approved for DOD use
The package is listed inside Platform One’s Iron Bank, a vetted Defense Department software repository, people familiar say.
People
NIH CIO Adele Merritt departs for DOD-affiliated research role
Meritt’s exit comes after serving in the role for just over eight months.
Acquisition
Veterans Affairs chooses 9 for $14B health care transformation recompete
VA described its ideal lineup of teams for this contract as having "combined their reach and collective capabilities to tackle some of VHA’s largest professional service requirements."
Exclusive
People
Meet the Trump appointee apparently maintaining 'unheard of' ties to Tesla
Thomas Shedd, who heads the Technology Transformation Services at the General Services Administration, reported on his public financial disclosures that he is “on a leave of absence” from Tesla in a rare arrangement, according to experts.
Artificial Intelligence