Author Archive

Kirsten Errick

Staff Reporter, Nextgov

Kirsten Errick
Kirsten Errick is a technology reporter for Nextgov, where she covers GSA, tech workforce, automation and space tech. She is also working towards her master’s in journalism at Georgetown University. Kirsten received her B.A. in communication from Villanova University.
Digital Government

State Department's Plan to Use $500M CHIPS Funding to Bolster the Supply Chain

The State Department is using its CHIPS funding to foster relations with allies, strengthen supply chains and build a robust semiconductor ecosystem.

Digital Government

Vehicle Data Tool Could Help Agencies Switch to Electric Fleets

The General Services Administration’s new tool enables agencies to match their current fleet to equivalent zero-emission vehicles.

Emerging Tech

Cost and Schedule Overruns Plague NASA's Electrified Flight Efforts, IG Finds

The agency’s Inspector General noted that, despite progress made in advancing electrified aircraft propulsion system technology, NASA is experiencing cost and scheduling challenges that it should address.

Emerging Tech

Air Force Research Lab Tests Tech That Blasts Drones Down With Microwaves

The lab is testing this new technology to combat swarms of drones and to be able to do so from a greater distance than existing counter-drone technologies.

Digital Government

OSTP Only Tackled 1 of 8 High Risk Recommendations in Past Year, Watchdog Finds

The Office of Science and Technology Policy has seven high-risk open recommendations to address, according to a Government Accountability Office report.

Emerging Tech

Larger NASA Budget Essential to Beat China to Lunar Resources, Administrator Says

The agency’s requested budget will help to continue missions like Artemis and improve space operations and safety.

Policy

US Proposes Designating Portion of Radio Spectrum for 5G in the Americas

If approved, the proposal could enable countries in the Americas to use the band to deploy 5G mobile services. 

Cybersecurity

Transportation Needs to Improve Cyber Policy Implementation, Watchdog Finds

The Department of Transportation should better implement its policies for established cyber roles, including improving training and role expectations, according to a recent GAO report.

Cybersecurity

Hack on Transportation Systems Exposes Employee Information

The Department of Transportation breach exposed the data of 237,000 current and former employees.

Artificial Intelligence

Proposed Law Would Create Responsible Emerging Tech Leaders at Agencies

The bill would require a senior official at each relevant agency to oversee technologies like artificial intelligence, quantum and biotechnology to ensure responsible usage.

Cybersecurity

Voting Machines Must Be Test Hacked for Certification, Under Proposed Bill

The new law would require cybersecurity penetration testing as part of voting systems’ approval process.

Modernization

2 Agencies Still Behind on Years-Old Legacy IT Recommendations, Watchdog Finds 

Despite some agencies making significant progress, the Transportation Department and the Office of Personnel Management have not fully implemented the watchdog’s prior recommendations.

Modernization

House Lawmakers Lambast EHR Rollout Over Pharmacy Problems

Both witnesses and lawmakers agreed that the Oracle Cerner EHR system at its current state is not satisfactory—but disagreed over how to fix it.

Emerging Tech

NASA, Rocket Lab Launch Tropical Storm Observing CubeSats

The first pair of CubeSats launched this week—with the remaining planned for launch in a couple of weeks—to help study tropical storms.

Artificial Intelligence

NASA Still Lacks a Unified Definition of AI, Watchdog Finds

The agency has made progress on artificial intelligence management, but still has work to do to meet governmentwide requirements.

Digital Government

Lawmakers Reintroduce Bill to Strengthen DHS Counter-Drug Efforts

A central part of the legislation aims to improve efforts to collect and analyze data on illicit drug seizures.

Digital Government

NOAA to Improve Storm Surge Predictions Ahead of 2023 Hurricane Season

The agency upgraded its system to improve modeling and forecasting for storm surges and related flooding.

Emerging Tech

Launch of First 3D-Printed Rocket Included Innovative NASA Alloy

The alloy could be used in future missions to the moon and Mars and can withstand high temperatures while reducing the weight and cost of components.

Modernization

GSA Pilots New Platform for Multiple Award Schedule Contractors

The new platform will make it easier for contractors to update their catalogs on the agency’s central purchasing website and will eventually replace the Schedule Input Program.