People
Bill to train acquisition workforce on AI clears Senate
The bill will help the U.S. stay afloat in global competition on artificial intelligence, its sponsors on the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee say.
Digital Government
More funding needed for Biden’s CX order, says industry group
The Alliance for Digital Innovation said that “current funding levels will not be enough to provide an on-going, modern, and customer-centric digital experience,” called for in the customer experience executive order, and urged the administration to replenish the Technology Modernization Fund and the Federal Citizen Services Fund to support improved CX.
Acquisition
Government watchdog calls out TMF for low rate of cost recovery
The Government Accountability Office said its previous recommendations for the Technology Modernization Fund have not been followed, leading to unrecovered operating costs and unreliable proposal cost estimates for new projects.
Digital Government
White House elevates CX with executive order
A Biden administration executive order looks to use tech to simplify and reduce friction in citizen interactions with government programs and services.
People
Top House Republican pushes back on government telework
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) isn’t the only Republican lawmaker asking questions about the productivity of teleworking federal employees.
Cybersecurity
White House embeds cyber EO in FISMA reporting
Federal agencies will be reporting on zero-trust adoption and automation efforts in their annual cybersecurity reports to the Office of Management and Budget.
Acquisition
White House instructs agencies on contracting equity goals
The Biden administration detailed policy pivots needed to fulfill a commitment to steer $100 billion in federal contracting opportunities to small disadvantaged businesses over the next five years.
People
White House asks agencies to delay consequences for vaccine mandate violations
Agencies have the power to decide how to discipline unvaccinated feds, but the White House is encouraging them to go beyond education, counseling and letters of reprimand until after the holidays.
People
Biden to nominate Shalanda Young as OMB director
The Biden administration is looking to elevate the acting director of the Office of Management and Budget into the top job on a permanent basis.
People
Union complains of 'double standard' for fed and contractor vaccine mandates
The American Federation of Government employees is asking policymakers to put federal employees and contractors on the same clock when it comes to COVID-19 vaccination requirements.
Cybersecurity
OMB official reviews progress six months after the cyber EO
A federal official overseeing the implementation of the cybersecurity executive order signed in May said many agencies have met its aggressive deadlines so far.
Cybersecurity
$500 million for TMF, other tech added to Build Back Better
Governmentwide technology modernization appropriations are back in the Biden administration's signature Build Back Better legislation, but the timing of a vote remains unclear.
Cybersecurity
Federal cyber leaders assess TMF awards
National Cyber Director Chris Inglis said he co-chaired a meeting with top federal cyber leaders this week to analyze current projects with investments from the Technology Modernization Fund.
Acquisition
White House: 'There's not a cliff here' when it comes to vaccine deadlines
For federal employees and contractors who don't hit vaccination deadlines, processes for remediation will kick in before more serious enforcement measure are taken, White House coronavirus coordinator Jeffrey Zients said.
People
TMF hiring new technical leads
The board of the $1 billion IT modernization fund was slogging through detailed project proposals in their spare time – now TMF is looking for help.
Acquisition
The growing importance of GWACs
One of the government's most popular methods for buying emerging technologies and critical IT services faces significant challenges in an ever-changing marketplace
Cybersecurity
The CISO reporting structure is broken
The commitment to managing cyber risk is a primary concern, but is often consolidated with IT priorities. This creates a conflict – does IT or security come out on top?
Acquisition
Is category management hurting small businesses?
Small business owners testified on Capitol Hill about getting squeezed by category management and contract bundling initiatives.
Cybersecurity
White House looks to step up endpoint monitoring
The Biden administration is requiring agencies to provide visibility into their endpoint detection and response efforts as part of the cybersecurity executive order.
Acquisition