Modernization

Has the DOD-VA interagency office outlived its usefulness?

As the Pentagon and Veterans Affairs work in parallel to implement the Cerner health record systems, Congress is worried about a single point of accountability.

Cybersecurity

VA looks to stabilize tech team

Senators stressed the importance of the coming electronic health record modernization project at the confirmation hearing for James Gfrerer, the nominee to lead the Office of Information and Technology at the Department of Veterans Affairs.

People

OPM rescinds guidance after ruling on workforce orders

The federal government's HR agency withdrew portions of guidance issued in response to President Trump's three workforce executive orders after they were invalidated by a district court ruling.

Acquisition

OMB looks to bots to take on 'low-value' work

The White House is planning to use automated bots to handle repetitive tasks in financial management and contacting.

People

Federal court upends Trump's workforce orders

A federal district court ruled that key provisions in three executive orders were invalid because of conflict with existing law.

People

HUD names new CIO

In a week filled with high-level IT comings and goings, the Department of Housing and Urban Development has picked a new top tech official.

Digital Government

Election security bill stalled in the Senate

A bid to advance a bipartisan election security bill out of committee is in limbo as pressure from states and voting tech vendors mounts.

Cybersecurity

DHS seeks help with IT supply chain

The Department of Homeland Security is looking for an unclassified source of information about potential cybersecurity risks in the IT supply chain.

People

Zielinski to take over as GSA's top IT buyer

With Kay Ely's coming departure, longtime federal IT presence Bill Zielinski is taking over as assistant commissioner of the IT category at the Federal Acquisition Service.

Modernization

Hurd, White House push for MGT funding

The Senate zeroed out funding for the Modernizing Government Technology Act for FY 2019, and House supporters and the White House are hoping to get the money back on the table.

Acquisition

DOD adds $1.1 billion to health record contract

The Military Health System is adding funds to its electronic health record contract to support a common baseline with the Department of Veterans Affairs and add advanced functionality.

People

Powner to exit GAO

After 16 years working at the Government Accountability Office, IT oversight expert Dave Powner is taking his talents to MITRE.

Cybersecurity

A new role for government in ID proofing

A new trade group, the Better Identity Coalition, wants government to assume a stronger role in validating online identity.

Digital Government

Lawmaker looks to block Trump's latest workforce order

Two leading Democrats on the House Oversight Committee are also seeking hearings on the executive order putting administrative law judges outside of the competitive service.

Modernization

New VA office takes charge of electronic health record

The move was announced as the House Veterans Affairs Committee established a new subcommittee to oversee the $16 billion Vista replacement effort

Cybersecurity

Why it's time for a major tech overhaul of the classification system

In a new report, the chief of the Information Security Oversight Office warns that the system by which critical security information is created, classified and shared is overburdened by a reliance on paper, legacy policies and incompatible tech.

Digital Government

New ideas for an old institution

TechCongress is trying to inject technology expertise into the legislative branch.

Modernization

VA's new health record could yield savings – in 10 years

As the Department of Veterans Affairs embarks on a decade-long, $16 billion journey to replace its homegrown electronic health records system with a commercial platform, there's some hope that there will be savings on the post-implementation side.

Cybersecurity

Data gap in immigration systems could keep families separated

If the just-suspended border separation policy is ever resumed, officials may have to confront the fact that disparate immigration systems are not equipped to handle the reunification of separated families.

Acquisition

Senate bill looks to secure the IT supply chain

A new bipartisan bill looks to build capacity inside the federal government to evaluate supply chain risks with an eye to making sure the government buys secure tech.