Modernization

Exit Interview: Bill Zielinski

The General Services Administration can’t be shy about getting up close with its federal customers about technology, as the EIS telecom transformation and other efforts move ahead, Zielinski told FCW in an interview.

Modernization

COVID-19 shifts network priorities

Network infrastructure is a key to unlocking remote work in the new COVID environment, say agency CIOs.

Acquisition

VA embraces procurement challenges at scale

Steve Kelman applauds the Department of Veterans Affairs' ambitious attempt to move beyond one-off prize-based contests to combat veteran suicides more effectively.

People

Navy IT looks beyond COVID

The Navy's network operations, like most federal agencies, scrambled to shift to completely remote workforce, but the experience has also shifted workers' network expectations.

Digital Government

$3T COVID relief bill includes tech money and restructures health acquisition

The Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act, proposed by House Democrats, calls for far more than additional stimulus checks and emergency funding for state and local governments. FCW breaks down the provisions.

Digital Government

COVID-19 constraints delay needed CMMC rule change

Social distancing requirements have delayed the public hearing needed for a rule change to enforce new cybersecurity standards for contractors.

Modernization

In COVID relief, lawmakers look to help states with legacy IT

A bipartisan group of lawmakers is urging House leaders to include funding for states to modernize their technology infrastructure with an eye to a cloud-first approach, shared services that deliver functionality to cities and towns and some oversight of state technology plans as a condition of receiving funding.

Cybersecurity

Solarium boosters pivot to acknowledge pandemic parallels

Members of the Solarium Commission are retooling their pitch to focus on recommendations that draw parallels to the current coronavirus crisis.

Acquisition

HASC chairman: DOD doesn't need more stimulus money

Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), the House Armed Services Committee chairman, said the Defense Department doesn't need any more money from a future coronavirus stimulus bill.

Acquisition

Paycheck protection, other pandemic response to garner 'flash' oversight

Agency inspectors general told Congress that the $2.2 trillion in spending to speed recovery and heal economic damage caused by the pandemic would be subject to quick oversight.

People

Where did the ideas for shutdowns and social distancing come from?

Steve Kelman offers another story about hero civil servants (and a good president).

People

GOP lawmakers seek limits on foreign TSP investments

A House bill lands as a veterans group steps up efforts to lobby the military and the White House against investment in Chinese defense firms.

People

AFGE assails Trump's plan to go back to work

Union asks OPM and OMB to abide by six conditions before telling federal workers to go back to the office

People

Pentagon plans to test all troops for COVID-19

Gen. John Hyten, vice chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said testing the entire force, including National Guard and Reserves, would take until summertime.

Cybersecurity

Why PPE acquisition looks so shady

Furtive exchanges, police interdiction, international charter flights: our acquisition reporter takes a look at why the market for personal protective equipment looks so wild.

Cybersecurity

Feds disrupt hundreds of COVID-19 scammer domains

The Department of Justice said some of the domains represented themselves as U.S. government agencies or public health organizations.

People

VA tech system freezes out workers, union complains

A Philadelphia AFGE local alleges that stress on the VA system has led workers to risk reprimand for working off-hours and that the Veterans Benefits Administration won't share contingency plans with employees.

Modernization

House Majority Leader backs remote voting

Downplaying security concerns, Rep. Steny Hoyer said conducting House business through video teleconference software was his "clear preference" to ensure continuity of Congress during the COVID-19 crisis.

Digital Government

Using tech to combat the coronavirus

Steve Kelman reports on early efforts to leverage technology for better contact tracing.