Digital Government
Defense IG Will Review Recent $400 Million Border Wall Contract
Key House lawmaker asked for the review, citing possible improper influence by the Trump administration.
Cybersecurity
What the Defense Department’s Cyber Certification Will Mean for Small Businesses
The Pentagon lead for the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program argued the move will be good for small contractors. And for those that don’t want to comply: Good riddance.
Modernization
Microsoft and Pentagon to Kick Off JEDI Cloud Prep
Microsoft and Defense Department officials will meet for three days to discuss the cloud project despite Amazon lawsuit.
Emerging Tech
TSA Isn’t Doing Enough To Ensure Screening Tech Continues Working Over Time, Watchdog Says
A report shows the airport security agency is good at building and deploying tech but doesn’t have a process to ensure those tools keep operating at a high level.
Emerging Tech
Amazon Claims Pentagon Got Almost Everything Wrong in JEDI Evaluation
The company alleges the president’s public beef with Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos influenced “substantial and pervasive errors” in the Defense Department’s technical evaluation of bids.
Modernization
Amazon Web Services Chief Says Pentagon Got it Wrong with JEDI Award
The head of Amazon Web Services isn’t pulling punches at the company’s global summit in Las Vegas.
Digital Government
New Functionality on the Way for FedBizOpps Replacement
The team managing the transition from FedBizOpps to SAM.gov says it plans to restore key capabilities, such as email alerts.
Modernization
For Contractors, Work on GSA’s Schedule Consolidation Begins in January
Schedule contract holders will get a mass modification agreement in January and six months to negotiate exceptions to specific clauses.
Emerging Tech
Pentagon Nearly Doubles Use of Other Transaction Authority Purchases
The Defense Department is embracing the alternative procurement method but could use more oversight of the deals, a Government Accountability Office audit found.
Emerging Tech
NIST Is Offering $6M For Technical Help With Its Smart Grid, IoT Research
The standards agency is building a contract for technical services in support of its cyber-physical systems research.
Digital Government
Users Had to Wait a Little Longer for GSA’s FedBizOpps Replacement
FedBizOpps migrated to SAM.gov Contract Opportunities over the weekend but a slow site and data migration issues made for some disgruntled users.
Cybersecurity
Supply Chain Security Requires Acquisition Reform, Security Experts Say
To secure the government’s IT ecosystem, agencies must better understand their tech, the vendors who built it, and those companies’ suppliers.
Emerging Tech
Energy to Fund Millions for Projects to Revamp Recycling
Approximately $24 million will be invested in total.
Digital Government
Agencies Are Sending Better Data to USASpending But Still Have Room for Improvement, GAO Says
Confusion over data standards, process and transparency remain.
Digital Government
Bid Protests Hit 10-Year Low
Companies filed 16% fewer bid protests in fiscal 2019 than the year prior.
Artificial Intelligence
DISA Previews Big Tech Opportunities for 2020
The Pentagon’s IT shop released a list of next year’s contracting opportunities, including 12 worth more than $100 million.
Digital Government
Justice Department Announces ‘Strike Force’ to Combat Procurement Crimes
The interagency partnership aims to prevent bid-rigging at all levels of government.
Digital Government
GSA Extends Bid Deadline for E-Commerce Platform
The agency also answered some pressing questions, such as whether vendors need to have an online store up and running before they bid.
Cybersecurity
DISA Official: ‘No One Knows’ How Cyber Standards Will Impact Contractor Pool
Many small businesses might find themselves excluded from the Pentagon’s most sensitive tech projects under the new Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification.
Emerging Tech