Digital Government
Former GSA IT Contracting Officer Sentenced in Bribery Scheme
A former procurement official overseeing contracts on IT Schedule 70 was sentenced to almost two years in prison on federal bribery charges.
Modernization
IRS Leader Defends Agency’s Stimulus Check Performance
Lawmakers questioned whether lagging IT modernization efforts caused delays or missing financial relief payments for some Americans.
Emerging Tech
Federal Government to Offer $10M to Research COVID-19 Spread on Public Transportation
Major cities could be excluded from receiving grants for “permitting anarchy, violence, and destruction,” per a presidential memo cited in the funding opportunity.
Digital Government
Trump Orders Agencies to Tackle Coronavirus-Related Mental Health Challenges
A multi-agency working group must develop a plan within 45 days.
Emerging Tech
Lawmakers Outline How the Government Can Make AI Development Equitable
The federal government could open up its own research data to train systems and offer grants for educational opportunities to support artificial intelligence research.
Emerging Tech
GSA Wants a Feedback Machine to Help Agencies and the Public Navigate Policies
The Office of Governmentwide Policy wants to know the cost and capabilities of platforms that can help manage questions on acquisition, public buildings and government travel.
Digital Government
Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Protect All Feds’ Leave Following COVID
Although OPM’s current policy only waives the 30-day annual leave cap for essential employees who are unable to use their leave due to their duties responding to the coronavirus pandemic, Democrats in Congress want to extend the waiver to all federal workers.
Modernization
Report: Agencies Must Adapt Services More Quickly to Meet Customer Demands
The government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic suggests it should continue being agile in its approach to service delivery.
Cybersecurity
CISA Reveals Timeline for Improving Anemic Information Sharing Program
The private sector has been pushing for greater liability protections before participating in a two-way exchange of cyber threats and vulnerabilities with the agency.
Cybersecurity
DHS Exempts Expanded Insider Threat Program From Key Privacy Act Provisions
The agency will be allowed to collect large amounts of data without having to follow several provisions regarding disclosure, relevance and the sharing of that information.
Digital Government
865,000 Women Left the Workforce Last Month
Overall, 661,000 jobs were added in the U.S. labor force between August and September — but women still left it at alarming numbers.
Digital Government
House Passes Bill to Protect Federal Employees Returning to Workplaces
The Senate introduced a companion version on Wednesday.
Cybersecurity
Industry Groups Spar Over NDAA Provisions on Sourcing of Electronics from China
Dueling letters to lawmakers support and oppose language requiring the department to phase out the procurement of some basic technology from adversarial nations.
Digital Government
'Nobody Knows What's Going On': Census Workers Decry Chaos as Trump Administration Challenges Court Order
Census enumerators say they have received inconsistent messages and workloads in recent days despite court order to keep count going.
Digital Government
Despite President’s Comments, Transition Efforts Required By Law Are Underway
The Trump administration so far has met all of its requirements to prepare for the transition to a second term or a new president.
Modernization
Lawmakers Propose Using FCC E-Rate Funds to Boost Individuals’ Internet Access
The Federal Communications Commission-provided funds have historically been distributed to institutions instead of people.
Digital Government
Trump Signs Shutdown-Averting Stopgap Spending Bill
Measure will keep agencies funded through Dec. 11.
Digital Government
Dr. Anthony Fauci Says Americans Should Trust Credibility of COVID-19 Vaccine Process
Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, blamed “mixed messages that have come out of Washington” for waning public trust.
Artificial Intelligence
House Passes Bills to Boost Emerging Tech and Shore Up Cybersecurity of Electric Sector
Lawmakers are calling for significant research and development efforts.
Artificial Intelligence