Cybersecurity

Essye Miller to retire as DOD principal deputy CIO

The intelligence community’s CIO, John Sherman, will step in to the post of Defense Department’s principal deputy CIO in June.

Modernization

Judge gives DOD the chance for a second look at some aspects of the JEDI award

The Pentagon is getting the chance for a do-over of some aspects of its controversial $10 billion cloud award to Microsoft.

People

AFGE denounces budget targets in GOP defense bill

The American Federation of Government Employees issued a letter April 16 to Congress opposing parts of the proposed Expanding Acquisition Reform Act, which seeks to formalize DOD's zero-based budgeting process.

Cybersecurity

COVID-19 outbreak may delay audits for DOD's cyber certification

The first audits for the Defense Department's unified cybersecurity standard for vendors may be delayed up to a month.

Digital Government

Lawmakers worried over threats to IG independence

A spate of letters reveal that lawmakers are increasingly concerned that agency inspectors general are operating under threat of reprisal and being stripped of their independence.

Acquisition

Navy speeds acquisition amid COVID-19 outbreak

Navy Acquisition Chief James Geurts said acquisition activities have sped up in response to the coronavirus crisis and helped the service pinpoint weak spots in the supply chain.

Modernization

DOD watchdog can't prove White House interference in $10B JEDI award

An oversight report found several missteps and cases of ethical misconduct, but could not substantiate allegations of White House interference in the award of the $10 billion Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure contract to Microsoft.

People

DOD's telework surge could be permanent

A new emphasis on telework at the Defense Department in response to the COVID-19 pandemic could change work culture at the Pentagon, officials said.

Acquisition

DOD pulls the trigger on the DPA

DOD to issue $133 million in production contracts for N95 masks under the Defense Production Act.

Acquisition

DOD cuts red tape to support fast prototyping

Ellen Lord, DOD's acquisition head, issued new guidance for prototype contracts issued through other transaction authorities.

Cybersecurity

Navy CIO: Don't worry about shakeups at the top

The Navy CIO updated the workforce on telework practices, COVID-19 disclosures and what the change in service leadership means for the tech mission.

Cybersecurity

Trump shakes up official watchdog ranks

The White House removed an official designated to provide oversight to the $2 trillion rescue and relief fund and nominated a raft of new appointees to handle oversight chores at multiple agencies.

People

Army accelerates virtualization of training, recruitment

Army training and recruiting leaders said the service has been gradually digitizing recruiting and training, but has now shifted online amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

Modernization

How will DOD’s workforce shift post-COVID-19?

What will working in DOD look like on the other side of the COVID-19 curve?

People

DOD issues permission slips for workers in national capital region

The Defense Department issued memos and permission letters for personnel working in the Washington, D.C. region as local and state governments' stay-at-home orders go into effect.

Digital Government

Congress questions Navy's plan to build large drone ships before full testing

The Navy wants to increase production of unmanned surface vessels, but Congress remains wary of long-term success.

People

Esper says he didn't seek the authority to gut DOD unions

Defense Secretary Mark Esper told lawmakers he was waiting for a staff analysis of a recent presidential memo before deciding whether to leverage new authority.

Cybersecurity

TRANSCOM head says contractors struggle with advanced persistent threats

The lead general for TRANSCOM threw support behind the Defense Department's impending unified cybersecurity standard for contractors, the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification, as contractors struggle with advanced persistent threats.

Modernization

AWS looks to expand record in JEDI lawsuit

A recent filing also takes a hard look at the timing of Defense Secretary Mark Esper's recusal in the case.

Modernization

DOD releases first AI ethics principles, but there’s work left to on implementation

The Defense Department released its first official artificial intelligence ethics principles that it says will shape how it develops and implements the technology.