Modernization

FirstNet award on tap

There isn't much suspense as the Commerce Department prepares to announce the winner of a $6.5 billion national wireless broadband emergency network contract.

Digital Government

FirstNet ruling sets up future battles

AT&T's FirstNet rival Rivada Networks sets its sights on state networks after a federal court ruled against its bid protest.

Cybersecurity

Trump's 2018 budget plan hacks civilian spending for defense, homeland

As promised, a budget blueprint from the Trump administration prioritizes military and homeland security spending, and pays for increases with dramatic cuts to civilian agencies.

Acquisition

FirstNet expects court decision soon

FirstNet's top lawyer said the bid protest holding up the $6.5 billion contract award could be resolved "in the next several days."

Cybersecurity

NIST gets new cyber powers under House bill

A House panel approved legislation that would add new cybersecurity auditing and reporting duties to the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the White House science office.

Modernization

Bid protest continues to stall FirstNet award

The First Responder Network Authority is preparing to announce the award for its nationwide broadband public safety network, once it settles an ongoing bid protest.

People

How would Trump’s proposed cuts affect the census?

The Senate confirmed President Donald Trump’s nominee for Commerce Department secretary by a 72 to 27 vote Feb. 27, but the future of programs and positions Ross will oversee remains hazy.

Digital Government

IG: Commerce lags on Data Act

The Department of Commerce is behind on its Data Act preparations and risks missing a key May deadline, the agency watchdog warned.

Digital Government

The future of open data in the Trump administration

Government transparency advocates expect Obama-era open data policies to continue but would like to see agencies and Congress prioritize their expansion.

Cybersecurity

How Einstein changes the way government does business

The Department of Commerce is revising its confidentiality agreement for statistical data survey respondents to reflect the fact that the Department of Homeland Security could see some of that data if it is captured by the Einstein system.

Digital Government

2020 census tabbed as 'high risk' by GAO

The 2020 Census is one of three additions to GAO's 2017 list of high-risk government programs.

Modernization

Senators quiz IGs on NextGen, FirstNet

Senators on the Commerce Committee are looking to agency watchdogs for news and oversight of large IT infrastructure projects like FAA's NextGen and the Commerce Department's FirstNet.

Digital Government

Despite budget uncertainty, Census remains 'on track,' officials say

The Census Bureau has altered and trimmed programs in advance of the 2018 end-to-end test of census tech, but officials say that despite budget uncertainty, the projects remain on schedule.

People

Trump's pick for Commerce talks tech

Wilbur Ross, the Department of Commerce secretary-designate, discussed IT-intensive components of Commerce -- including cybersecurity, spectrum allocation, broadband accessibility and Census operations -- at his Senate confirmation hearing.

Digital Government

New advisory committee will assist in 2020 census

The Census Bureau is establishing a committee of public- and private-sector representatives to make sure plans for the 2020 population count are on track.

Modernization

Why spectrum sharing is here to stay

The push to make more federally-owned spectrum available for commercial use will involve sharing, no way around it, according to the president's telecom advisor.

People

Gustafson, Mayock get 11th-hour confirmations

Commerce IG and OMB deputy director for management posts are filled after multimonth vacancies.

Cybersecurity

Industry sees coming regulatory 'pause' on cyber

The new White House cybersecurity commission report sets the stage for the next administration to make it easier for companies to share cyber threat information.

People

Trump taps billionaires to lead Commerce

President-elect Donald Trump has tapped Wilbur Ross and Todd Ricketts to fill the top two positions at the Commerce Department.

Cybersecurity

Cyber panel closes in on final recommendations

A panel of business, technology and academia leaders is finalizing ideas for how to approach cybersecurity in the next decade.