Modernization

GSA: Phase II Centers of Excellence Bids Will Begin in July

Officials from the General Services Administration and Agriculture Department met with industry about the next phase of IT modernization efforts.

Modernization

First Modernization Fund Winners Offer Cheat Sheet for Future Pitches

The first three awardees of the Technology Modernization Fund offer a window into the kinds of projects and pitches the board is looking for.

Policy

Lawmaker Threatens USDA Officials with 'Legislative Metrics' to Preserve Telework

Rep. Gerry Connolly calls Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue’s recent rollback of telework at the agency “retrograde.”

Cybersecurity

Planned Food Stamp Recipients Database Sparks Hacking Fears

Critics say the database is unnecessarily expansive and would be a major draw for hackers.

Digital Government

Survey: Nearly 30 Percent of Feds Report Greater Resistance to Telework

Nearly half of employees who underwent a change in telework policy said the new rules don’t fit their needs.

Modernization

Centers of Excellence Are A 'Cultural Intervention' For USDA, Says CIO

The department shows a renewed energy and shift in strategic thinking even in the first phase of the program, Agriculture CIO Gary Washington said.

Digital Government

USDA to Block Social Media Following IG Report Showing an Uptick in Porn Watching

Employees will be barred from visiting 400 websites "not related to official department communications or business," starting Wednesday.

Modernization

Here’s How Agriculture Plans to Overhaul Its Tech

The department will cut data centers down from 39 to two—and that’s just the start, according to CIO Gary Washington.

Emerging Tech

Farmers to Congress: We Need Broadband, Too

Agriculture and energy companies in rural areas want to find efficiencies with internet of things devices, but lack of high-speed access is a problem

Modernization

A Farmer-Focused Agency Wants to Ditch Data Centers Completely

"Farmers don’t care that I run a data center," an Agriculture Department chief information officer said.

Emerging Tech

Q&A: The Nanotech Future of the American Farm

USDA's nanotech team thinks small sensors could help farmers grow more with less.

Emerging Tech

USDA Teams Up with Microsoft on Food Data Challenge

The newly launched Innovation Challenge aims to inspire the public to create tech tools for analyzing food supply data.

Cybersecurity

FISMA by the Numbers: The Biggest Cyber Threats at These 5 Agencies

Cybersecurity incidents targeting federal agencies are on the rise.

Digital Government

How to Innovate in a Short Timeframe and on a Shoestring Budget

The Igniting Innovation showcase and awards emphasized one resounding point: Federal innovation does not have to be an oxymoron.