Modernization

Microsoft calls for acquisition reform amid JEDI battles

Defense industry experts call on lawmakers to push for procurement protest reforms to enhance national security.

Acquisition

GAO: DOD has to get a handle on future services spending

As the Defense Department looks to buy more services, it's going to need to come up with action plans to better account for spending in future years, according to a recent Government Accountability Office report.

Modernization

Pentagon plans for spectrum policy changes, modernizing IT tools

DOD Deputy CIO Frederick Moorefield says "static" policy remains spectrum's "biggest hurdle" -- something he hopes to change in 2021.

Acquisition

GSA preps guidance for using CMMC in civilian contracts

The General Services Administration wants to get ahead on training and education materials contracting officers will need as Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification requirements become standard.

Modernization

Pentagon watchdog flags cyber issues in DEOS, JRSS

The Defense Department's testing and evaluation body has serious cybersecurity concerns when it comes to using commercial cloud offerings and the embattled Joint Regional Security Stacks effort.

Cybersecurity

CMMC reciprocity in sight for 2021

The Defense Department is still figuring out how to give contractors reciprocity with the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program and similar certifications, but the end is close, officials say.

Modernization

Solving for DOD's AI education gap

Officials at the Pentagon's Joint Artificial Intelligence Center said the department needs to improve education to build up AI readiness while improving data collection and data standards.

Acquisition

New risks threaten defense industry's cybersecurity, report claims

Newly reported cybersecurity vulnerabilities inched past 17,000 in 2020, signaling worsening security in the defense industrial base, according to a National Defense Industry Association report.

People

DOD orders leaders to address extremism

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin directs commanding officers and supervisors to hold a "stand down" discussion on extremism in the next 60 days.

Cybersecurity

Space Force begins onboarding cyber specialists

The U.S. Space Force has begun transferring more than a thousand cyber professionals into its ranks as of Feb. 1 with plans to start recruiting talent for multiple career fields from across the military branches this year.

People

Small drones, training could be standard issue for service members

The Defense Department is planning to incorporate drone training for every service member as part of its counter small unmanned aerial systems strategy.

People

Navy report looks to combat racism and sexism in the ranks

The Navy's Task Force One Navy report looks to STEM training, recruitment, grooming policies as paths to encourage diversity and inclusion.

People

Hicks talks budget and CMO duties in confirmation hearing

Kathleen Hicks, President Biden's pick to serve as deputy secretary of defense, pressed for new incentives to improve DOD's business reform efforts at her confirmation hearing.

Modernization

Pentagon awards OTA for online AI marketplace

The Joint Artificial Intelligence Center awarded an other transaction agreement to build and manage an online environment for rapid procurement of AI capabilities.

Modernization

DOD signals it could move on from JEDI if court battles drag out

The Pentagon is committed to enterprise-wide cloud capabilities at the unclassified, secret and top secret levels, but if a court case around the JEDI procurement doesn't go their way, DOD is signaling it could find other paths to the cloud.

Acquisition

Pandemic response drives DOD's sharp uptick in OTA spending

The Defense Pricing and Contracting Agency recorded more than $16 billion in other transaction agreements in 2020 in the Defense Department's response to the pandemic.

Cybersecurity

Final rule, formal training orgs on CMMC could hit this summer

A final rule on the Defense Department's unified cybersecurity standard could debut as soon as this summer but implementation hinges on standing up a formal training system.

Cybersecurity

DOD moves to centralize security clearance disputes

The Defense Department issued new policy for those who have had their clearances revoked.

People

USAF chief looks to combat extremism in the ranks

To create a better environment for all service members, Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., the Air Force's chief of staff said leadership will have to lay out "what our expectations are for those who are to be a part of our force."

Acquisition

Army CIO details digital strategy, changes for IT enterprise

Army CIO plans to release new enterprise digital strategy and rein in $2 billion of bloated IT spending.