Modernization
GSA plans new cloud buying vehicle to support modernization at all levels of government
The General Services Administration is soliciting feedback from industry on a planned new blanket purchase agreement to provide cloud infrastructure, storage, software and services to federal agencies and state and local governments.
Acquisition
Biden orders $15 minimum wage for federal contractors
The new minimum wage is set to take effect in early 2022. Agencies will have to include the $15 wage floor in any new contract solicitations starting on January 30, 2022 and have this minimum wage in new contracts by March 30, 2022.
People
EPA eliminates Trump workforce orders from labor contract
The Environmental Protection Agency rolled back the clock on portions of its collective bargaining agreement on official time, union office space, grievance procedures and more.
People
SSA under pressure to reopen Trump-era union contract
The Social Security Administration is under fire from unions and congressional Democrats unhappy with the agency's pace in implementing the Biden administration's changes to labor-management relations, and many are seeking the ouster of the Trump-appointed agency heads.
Acquisition
Could 2022 see the end of OCO?
As the Biden administration prepares to deliver its first budget, the question arises of whether there's enough political clout to end the controversial overseas contingency operations account.
Digital Government
Federal buildings, vehicles set to go green in Biden's $2T infrastructure package
Updates to federal facilities and an emphasis on electric vehicles are just part of the Biden administration's $2 trillion jobs and infrastructure plan announced on Wednesday.
Cybersecurity
Mayorkas announces cyber 'sprints' on ransomware, ICS, workforce
The Homeland Security secretary announced a series of focused efforts to address issues around ransomware, critical infrastructure and the agency's workforce that will all be launched in the coming weeks.
Acquisition
Expected breach disclosure mandates will test government-industry cooperation
The White House and lawmakers are eyeing steps to make sure contractors have to alert the federal government to cybersecurity breaches on their systems, but expect companies to balk at rules that put them at risk for legal action or require the disclosure of trade secrets.
Digital Government
IRS plots $2.6B IT services consolidation
The tax agency plans to combine its modernization and sustainment contracts into a single task order on a governmentwide acquisition contract as it pushes ahead with the replacement of legacy systems.
Digital Government
Industry groups call for TMF reforms following funding boost
The groups' call for changes to how the government operates the modernization fund echoes concerns that multiple former CIOs voiced to FCW this month in interviews.
Digital Government
18F to help Wisconsin with UI tech
Many states have buckled under the pressure of delivering benefits to surges of claimants during the pandemic using antiquated technology. 18F is set to help Wisconsin modernize its unemployment insurance technology using agile procurement.
Acquisition
Will DOD keep collaborating after CVR?
Commercial Virtual Remote, spun up last year to support pandemic telework, goes away this summer. DISA is working to ensure the cloud collaboration continues.
Acquisition
New House task force focuses on supply chain vulnerabilities
Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), co-chair of the Defense Critical Supply Chain Task Force, said "sometimes the marketplace just doesn't get it right and we, without intending to, create real national security vulnerabilities for ourselves."
Acquisition
HASC chair flips spending debate to acquisition reform
House Armed Services Committee chair, Adam Smith's response to Republicans' call for at least a 3% topline defense budget increase is: "How you spend the money is what matters."
Modernization
Accelerating digital transformation: the CIO role and why it's important
As the new administration begins to implement its policies, the leadership of the federal CIO and agency CIOs will be critical for delivering better business results and building trust with citizens.
Acquisition
Lawmakers, contractors look to extend COVID aid to industry
Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Mark Warner (D-Va.) are pushing for legislation to extend reimbursements for federal contractors unable to work due to COVID-19 through Sept. 30.
Acquisition
DOL looks to roll back Trump's exemption for religious orgs in contracting
The agency plans going to reverse the rule through notice and comment rulemaking, a process that could take months.
Acquisition
Supply chain hack took a thousand engineers to pull off, tech exec tells Congress
The scope and scale of the attack as described by Microsoft President Brad Smith is in keeping with the attribution being made by public sector and private sector officials that the hack was perpetrated by Russian-sponsored actors.
Acquisition
GAO: DOD has to get a handle on future services spending
As the Defense Department looks to buy more services, it's going to need to come up with action plans to better account for spending in future years, according to a recent Government Accountability Office report.
Cybersecurity
CISA eyes changes to combat future supply chain hacks
The acting director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency today said his agency is looking various changes to protect federal networks in the wake of the massive breach discovered late last year.
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