Modernization

FEMA On Course For Another Grants Modernization Disaster, Watchdog Says

The emergency response agency is on its second attempt to modernize its grants IT infrastructure.

Digital Government

NIST Expands Hiring Authorities for Top-Level Tech Talent

The standards-setting agency is making it easier for hiring managers to onboard IT managers, engineers and scientists through new direct hiring authorities.

Artificial Intelligence

OPM Wants AI Bots To Decipher Government Legalese

The agency wants natural language processing bots that any employee can customize and deploy without significant tech skills.

Emerging Tech

NASA Makes First Award on GSA’s Massive $50 Billion Telecom Contract

With security authorizations trickling in, the space agency awarded a $10.5 million contract to support its core services.

Digital Government

House Republicans Want FEMA to Answer for Leaking 2.3 Million Americans' Data

Members of the Committee on Science, Space and Technology want a full briefing from FEMA brass no later than April 18.

Cybersecurity

Financial Regulators Want To Know If Their Cyber Assessment Tool Is Worth It

Four federal agencies are asking the industry they regulate whether a cybersecurity assessment is worth the work of collecting and submitting the necessary data.

Modernization

GSA Redefines ‘Pay As You Go’ Terms As Part of Cloud SIN Refresh

The cloud special item number will now include professional services offerings and reduce the billing term for a “measured service” down to one month.

Cybersecurity

Problems with Pentagon’s Classified Data Access Could Put Lives at Risk

A new inspector general report highlights ongoing issues with how military branches are managing their secret network.

Digital Government

OPM Is Giving CIOs More Direct Hiring Authority But Plans To Keep A Watchful Eye

The administration has been gathering feedback on giving agency CIOs more power over direct hiring authorities and plans to publish the final rule soon.

Emerging Tech

GSA’s Investment Team Is Building An Agile Development Contract

The $10 million, single-award contract would assist in developing novel ideas to improve the federal government.

Modernization

FBI’s Long-Awaited $5 Billion IT Services Recompete Goes Back To Draft

The ITSSS recompete is getting a new name, new timeline and new draft solicitation, while the existing contract gets a one-year extension.

Policy

HUD Sues Facebook For Violating Fair Housing Rules With Targeted Ads

Facebook’s ad system allowed companies to target users based on a number of protected classes, including race, sex, nationality and general interests.

Cybersecurity

Air Force’s New Fast-Track Process Can Grant Cybersecurity Authorizations In One Week

The process is a mix of quick but comprehensive testing up front followed by continuous monitoring through the life of the app.

Artificial Intelligence

Microsoft Boss Suggests Joint Big-Tech Center After New Zealand Attacks Go Viral

The company’s president Brad Smith suggests establishing a virtual coordination center where major tech companies can work together during incidents.

Emerging Tech

GSA’s 10x Offers Seed Funding To Develop Feds’ Tech Ideas

The four-phase program is looking to test, fund and build federal employees’ ideas for using tech to improve their agencies.

Modernization

Office In Charge of Trying Guantanamo Detainees Needs IT Support

The Office of Military Commissions is conducting market research on a $20 million IT support contract.

Modernization

Security Authorizations Trickle In As Deadlines Near on $50 Billion Telecom Contract

So far, only one vendor on the Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions contract has gotten an authority to operate—an important requirement that could complicate the upcoming transition.

Emerging Tech

Automation Will Be a Requirement of a Shrinking Workforce, Not Its Cause, Officials Say

While the budget focuses on reducing headcount, officials said that isn’t the goal of pushing more automation.

Digital Government

Federal Contractor Numbering System Gets First New Managing Vendor After 20 Years

The DUNS number—a unique ID for organizations doing business with the government—will be phased out in favor of a new identifier with a new name and vendor.

Digital Government

DOD Needs To Decide Exactly What the CMO’s Authorities Are

The chief management officer was designed to be a powerful position to reform the Defense Department but has yet to get its footing.