Digital Government

VA extends PACT Act filing deadline after website glitches

The Department of Veterans Affairs is giving eligible veterans an extra week to announce their intention to submit claims under a law that expands benefits for exposure to toxic substances.

Defense

DOD pushes cloud buyers to JWCC

The Defense Department's top tech official directed defense agencies to tap the multi-vendor Joint Warfighting Cloud Capability contract for new cloud acquisitions and is requiring all top-secret cloud buys across the Pentagon and military services to use the vehicle for top secret capabilities.

Digital Government

Caller ID woes contributed to SSA disability backlog

Disability determinations at the Social Security Administration slowed during the worst days of the pandemic, and a hitch in a mobile device service played a part.

Digital Government

Will Hurd, former GOP lawmaker with tech expertise, announces White House bid

The three-term Texas congressman was the lead sponsor of the law that created the Technology Modernization Fund.

Modernization

House panel zeros out TMF funding for 2024 fiscal year

House appropriators want to eliminate new funding for the Technology Modernization Fund, which is still flush with cash thanks to a pandemic-era special spending bill.

Artificial Intelligence

Bipartisan bill proposes blue-ribbon panel to address AI risks, regulations

Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Calif., is leading the effort to give Congress the expertise it needs to understand and possibly regulate the risks posed by artificial intelligence.

Modernization

Hassan, Cornyn try again with IT modernization bill

The bipartisan duo are looking to prod agencies to ditch legacy systems.

Digital Government

Former DHS top buyer joins trade group to lead revived knowledge hub

Soraya Correa will lead the Contract Management Institute at the National Contract Management Association.

Artificial Intelligence

Spy agencies acquire commercial data with little coordination and few controls

The purchase of sensitive commercial data that is potentially traceable to individual Americans could be subject to new restrictions, according to a newly declassified report from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

Cybersecurity

Lawmakers want to expand USDA's Circuit Rider program to cover cyber

A new bill would allow small water utilities to obtain funds for cybersecurity consults. 

Policy

Does Congress need a chief data officer?

A new joint resolution would establish a bipartisan commission to look at what legislators need in terms of data, evidence and professional capacity.

Policy

Bill to cut software costs advances in Senate

A Senate committee voted unanimously on Wednesday to approve a bill designed to help agencies get a handle on software licensing with an eye to cutting costs.

Digital Government

IRS will test government-run free file system in 2024

The move could presage the large-scale deployment of free, government-furnished online tax prep services.

Modernization

VA puts Oracle Cerner on a short leash in $10B health records contract

The agency extended the contract for its EHR provider by one year, and put performance conditions in place.

Modernization

Lawmakers tackle VA pharmacy tech woes at hearing

The new commercial health record in use at five sites requires time-consuming workarounds that are taxing resources and depleting morale.

Acquisition

GSA tools flag diverse suppliers for procurement officials

Two new online tools give agency buyers a look at diverse vendors and reports on access by new entrants to the federal market.

Digital Government

OPM tests chatbot for retirement services

The retirement services chatbot is designed to answer easy questions to free up call center resources for more complex inquiries.

Defense

Army looks to bring $22B headset program into production in 2025

After years of delays and program adjustments, the Army has a new time frame for rolling out its augmented reality headset to troops.

Policy

DHS R&D arm to drive climate change response under new bill

The Science and Technology Directorate would take a leading role in climate change resilience research under a new bill.