Acquisition

Is it time to test the limits -- and potential -- of expanding CMMC?

Calls for a certified baseline of cybersecurity seem to increase with every cyberattack. Is the CMMC model the right template for a universal and independently verifiable way to protect supply chains?

Cybersecurity

Can NTSB-style oversight work for cybersecurity?

President Joe Biden's new cybersecurity executive order calls for a safety review board to examine the attack against SolarWinds as well as other significant cybersecurity incidents moving forward.

Cybersecurity

Watchdog: 'Uncertainty' may undermine CBP's enforcement of social media policy

The Office of Inspector General at the Department of Homeland Security found divisions among senior Customs and Border Protection officials about the agency's social media posting policies.

People

Watchdog report finds OPM didn't always alert employees of COVID cases

The Inspector General at the Office of Personnel Management found that the agency wasn't requiring mask-wearing and failed to notify employees of COVID cases during the height of the pandemic.

Acquisition

With Biden's equity agenda in play, experts talk about making procurement more inclusive

Government procurement practitioners discussed equity and procurement at the Code for America summit, as leaders across the federal enterprise look to measure and expand inclusiveness in public spending.

Emerging Tech

DOD Not Prioritizing Development of GPS Alternatives, GAO Says

Despite known vulnerabilities with GPS tech, the department treats developing other position, navigation and timing technologies as an “afterthought,” officials said. 

Cybersecurity

TSA's role in pipeline security looks like a weak link to some in government and industry

Questions about whether TSA is rightly positioned to oversee cybersecurity for natural gas and oil pipelines are resurfacing in the wake of the ransomware attack on Colonial Pipeline.

Cybersecurity

CISA's Wales backs new response, recovery fund

Brandon Wales, acting director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, said the funding would go toward expanding CISA's incident response teams with additional contractors and developing new technologies to be used by those teams.

Acquisition

Lawmakers press White House for space acquisition chief

House appropriators lamented the absence of a dedicated space acquisition chief, challenging the new administration to make a nomination soon.

Modernization

Lawmakers Say It’s Past Time OMB Issued IDEA Act Guidance

After two years in limbo and a pandemic forcing more adoption of digital services, House lawmakers want to see real guidance issued in the next 45 days.

People

Impeachment witnesses talk public service

Four former government officials who played key roles in the first impeachment of former president Donald Trump discussed their experiences during a Public Service Recognition Week event.

Digital Government

Pentagon Watchdog to Examine How the U.S. Military Handles UFOs

The inspector general launched an evaluation into “actions regarding Unidentified Aerial Phenomena” just before a similar report is due to Congress.

Digital Government

Experts Examine Accountability, Transparency Improvements in Government

The House Committee on Oversight and Reform hearing discussed recent proposals to strengthen the authority of inspectors general and place some limits on acting officials.

Modernization

GAO: Only 2 of the 10 Most Critical Legacy IT Systems Have Full Modernization Plans

The federal watchdog warned that eight of the most important mission-critical modernization efforts could fail without sufficient, documented plans.

People

Senate defense committee delays NDAA markup

Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.), chairman for the Senate Armed Services Committee, announced that the committee would delay marking up the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act due to "uncertainty" in White House budget delivery.

Modernization

$2.1 billion in UI modernization comes with oversight

Labor Secretary Marty Walsh told a panel of House Appropriators that the agency's planned $2.1 billion investment in state unemployment systems needs oversight and monitoring, and metrics for measuring success.

Digital Government

Biden Nominee for Pentagon Weapons Buyer Under Investigation

Inspector General complaint alleges DIU Director Michael Brown’s agency used federal hiring tools to hire friends, but office says it’s competing for talent.

Modernization

Court will hear case against Trump on JEDI

The U.S. Court of Federal Claims denied a motion from the U.S. government to dismiss a complaint from Amazon Web Services alleging undue influence on the award of the $10 billion, 10-year cloud program JEDI to Microsoft.

Digital Government

Former CIO urges lawmakers to relax TMF paybacks

The $1 billion boost to the Technology Modernization Fund can help agencies, but some changes to strict payback rules will help CIO shops get started on much-needed modernization.