Modernization

18F Says 6 Core Concepts Can Reduce Risk in Federal Tech Projects

The new De-risking Government Technology Field Guide looks to educate officials on how to merge modern software design with traditional government bureaucracy.

Cybersecurity

Comments on Government Supply Chain Rule Push for Better Definitions and More Time

Industry groups and other comments highlight the difficulty of complying with a provision of last year’s defense authorization act that requires the removal of products from companies including Huawei and ZTE. 

Digital Government

How and When GSA’s New Central Contracting Portal Will Lose the ‘Beta’

The next major transition to beta.SAM—the FPDS contract award data reporting tools—is coming next month, with the legacy SAM.gov next on deck.

Emerging Tech

USDA Makes New Move in Broad Effort to Bring Innovative Tech to America’s Farmers

The agriculture-focused agency wants public input on potentially disruptive, existing assets to consider.

Digital Government

GSA Provides Some Clarity on Section 889 Implementation

The General Services Administration emphasized the importance of outreach but declined to address questions around confusing language in Section 889.

Digital Government

GAO Issues Definitive List of Most Important Federal IT Acquisitions

The Government Accountability Office scored more than 100 federal IT projects and offered detailed breakdowns of the most “essential mission-critical IT acquisitions.”

Digital Government

Pentagon Acquisition Chief Hints Section 889 Supply Chain Waiver May Be Extended

The Defense Department’s Undersecretary for Acquisition and Sustainment Ellen Lord spoke briefly about Section 889 Part B implementation Wednesday.

Emerging Tech

IRS Wants to Be Able to Trace ‘Untraceable’ Digital Currencies

The agency’s criminal investigation group is increasingly encountering anonymous and privacy-focused online payments methods.

Digital Government

Pentagon, Defense Contractors Are Out Of Step On Tech Innovation, GAO Finds

The Pentagon wanted to fund ambitious research into future tech breakthroughs but contractors spend most of their money on safer bets, GAO has found.

Modernization

Pentagon Awards JEDI Cloud Contract to Microsoft for the Second Time

The decision follows a months-long legal challenge filed by Amazon Web Services.

Digital Government

IRS Offering Up to $7M to Develop ‘Data Mashing’ Tools In Support of Frictionless Acquisition

Using its experimental multiphase Pilot IRS contract vehicle, the agency issued a quickturn solicitation to improve data collection for a governmentwide effort to improve procurement.

Modernization

Coast Guard Begins Deploying Pentagon’s New Electronic Health Records System

The service kicked off a deployment schedule that aims to have all land-based clinics using DOD’s MHS GENESIS by 2024.

Digital Government

Oracle Loses Another JEDI Appeal

Oracle had argued the Pentagon’s decision to award the contract to a single award was flawed.

Cybersecurity

OMB Issues Interim Rule for Banning IT Products From Federal Systems

Any individual the Federal Acquisition Security Council deems credible could initiate a removal or exclusion order.

Artificial Intelligence

Pentagon Seeks TurboTax-Like Tool for Artificial Intelligence Purchases

It’s part of a new acquisition model that would explore the potential of pursuing contracts outside the Federal Acquisition Regulation, mixed with traditional contracts.

Cybersecurity

Pentagon Plans Single-Award $11B IT Contract

The Defense Enclave Services contract could go out for bid as soon as late September.

Emerging Tech

Air Force to Craft a Quantum Information Science Strategy—and Wants Help

The service is on the lookout for a contractor with a proven track record in the quantum development space.

Digital Government

VA Awards Sole Source Contract to Upgrade, Automate Its COVID-19 Visualization Tool

Contracting officials justified the $1.5 million award by citing a $6 million price tag to fully replace the tool.

Cybersecurity

Pentagon Acquisition Chief Clarifies Temporary Extension for Implementing Chinese Equipment Ban

A recent memo allows vendors additional time to comply with Section 889 for certain low-risk goods, but the department is not seeking mass extensions, Ellen Lord told reporters.

Emerging Tech

Homeland Security Testing Lab Wants to Hear About the Best Temperature Screening Tools in the Market

The tools will be assessed and included on a list of recommended products for federal and local emergency responders and law enforcement.