Acquisition

Watchdog says contractor oversight was lacking in Afghanistan

The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction's newest report calls out the government's failure to oversee contractors as a source of waste, fraud and abuse.

Digital Government

DOD IG Issues Guidance for Removing Sensitive Tech and Data from Afghanistan

Service members’ records were mishandled during previous contingency operations. The watchdog suggested learning from the past. 

Modernization

State Department Still Struggling With 5-Year-Old Recommendations to Fix IT Management Issues

The agency is doing better about reporting through its internal system but six of seven outstanding issues remain a concern for the inspector general.

Digital Government

HHS’ ‘Frequent and Significant Changes’ to COVID Data Reporting Left Hospitals Behind

Multiple updates to the rules and avenues for reporting critical pandemic-related capacity information left hospitals confused, overwhelmed and unable to comply.

Cybersecurity

Inconsistent job coding may undercut DOD’s cyber workforce efforts

A DOD inspector general audit found that while the Pentagon has made strides, inconsistent job coding for civilian cyber work roles across filled and vacant positions may hinder recruiting and retention.

Acquisition

How VA can succeed with its EHR mega-program

The former CIO of the Department of Veterans Affairs offers some ideas for course correction in the agency's flagging $20 billion–plus Electronic Health Records Modernization program.

Digital Government

Watchdog: COVID-19 Spending Using OTAs Had Less Oversight, Transparency Than Usual

For example, of the $12.5 billion awarded using other transaction authorities, nearly 60% was funneled through a single consortium management company.

Digital Government

Agencies Are Making ‘Uneven’ Progress Meeting Evidence Act Mandates, GAO Says

Many federal managers reported having the necessary staff, skills and tools to collect and analyze performance data, but the results varied widely across government.

Modernization

One A, One D in a Relatively Static FITARA Scorecard

Eighteen of 24 agencies received the same grade as in the previous FITARA scorecard.

Cybersecurity

TSA ramps up fuel pipeline cyber strategy

At a Senate hearing, the TSA administrator updated lawmakers on the implementation of two recent cybersecurity directives issued in the wake of the ransomware attack on Colonial Pipeline.

Emerging Tech

Senate Banking Chair Asks CFPB How It Plans to Address Risks of Chime and Other Banking Apps

With an estimated 12 million customers, Chime is the largest in its highly competitive subcategory of financial technology companies that serve low- to moderate-income individuals.

Digital Government

EEOC Wants a Quality Check For Its Data and Automation Strategy

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s inspector general wants an independent third party to look over the agency’s Digital Process Transformation and Automation strategy.

Acquisition

VA to continue pause on Cerner deployment for six more months

At the end of calendar 2021, the Department of Veterans Affairs expects to announce a new schedule for the deployment of its $21 billion electronic health record modernization project.

Cybersecurity

CBP Cybersecurity Failures Left Travelers' Personal Info at Risk, IG Says

A new internal watchdog report finds Customs and Border Protection failed to conduct required cybersecurity activities for its Mobile Passport Control applications.

Cybersecurity

Bill Would Require Federal Agencies and Contractors to Report Cyber Intrusions Within 24 Hours

The bill leaves it up to an interagency rulemaking process to determine whether entities would be required to report incidents they’re aware of but not directly involved in.

Digital Government

DHS lacks comprehensive strategy to counter violent extremism, report says

The Department of Homeland Security is failing to assess critical external factors and has not yet implemented a data governance framework while developing strategies around terrorism prevention, a new report warns.

Modernization

Lawmakers balk at cost-overruns, transparency issues with VA's $21 billion health record program

At a Senate hearing last week, Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough noted deficiencies in training including the lack of a real system available for use by clinicians in advance of the go-live date for a new, integrated health care software system.

Digital Government

GAO Issues Recommendations to White House Science and Tech Wing

This is the first time the Government Accountability Office has provided a priority recommendation letter to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

Modernization

VA Secretary Outlines Structural Changes to EHR Rollout

The secretary updated Congress on three pivotal changes coming to the program, including shifting the schedule to focus on sites that are ready to handle the deployment.