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Acquisition
House passes measure to help reduce federal software spending
For the second straight Congress, lawmakers in the lower chamber have advanced legislation to impose heightened transparency requirements on government software spending.
Modernization
Lawmakers question VA health record’s costs and batched deployments
The agency is looking to deploy its new Oracle Health EHR near simultaneously at four Michigan medical facilities in April 2026.
Policy
Lawmaker looks to shake up VA’s software management
Legislation from Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., prioritizes waste reduction when it comes to the roughly $1 billion that VA spends annually on software assets.
Policy
New bill seeks ‘phase-out’ of LiDAR tech tied to foreign adversaries
The ranking member of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., said his new bill “takes a proactive, commonsense step to secure our supply chains, protect advanced technologies from compromise, enhance Americans’ security, and ensure these systems are built by trusted partners.”
Artificial Intelligence
NDAA includes directive for DOD to prioritize use of AI for mental health needs
The House Armed Services Committee’s report accompanying the FY26 National Defense Authorization Act said the panel “believes the rate of military suicide is unacceptably high and that a new approach is required to solve this pervasive problem.”
Artificial Intelligence
AI’s impact on US workforce receives renewed legislative scrutiny
Two recently introduced measures look to prepare the U.S. labor market for AI’s broad adoption by studying its consequences and supporting workforce training and education initiatives.
Acquisition
Palo Alto Networks offers discounted cybersecurity solutions to agencies through OneGov deal
Federal agencies can access discounts of as much as 60% for select security offerings as part of the agreement.
Acquisition
Microsoft makes Copilot available to secure cloud customers
The General Services Administration previously reached an agreement with Microsoft to offer its services to agencies at discounted rates. The latest announcement makes Copilot available to government customers in GCC-High.
Policy
House Science Dems call for investigation into NASA Goddard cuts
The administration’s ongoing push to close labs and facilities at the Goddard Space Flight Center “risks permanently degrading Goddard’s scientific and technical capabilities with these moves,” Democratic members of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee wrote.
Artificial Intelligence
AI enhances Defense Logistics Agency’s end-to-end operations, CIO says
DLA Chief Information Officer Adarryl Roberts said accelerating Pentagon-wide adoption of AI tools is important because “we need to move at pace to keep up with our adversaries in China and Russia.”
Artificial Intelligence
Lawmakers propose grant program to boost AI training in medical schools
The bill would enable qualified medical schools and institutions to receive up to $100,000 in funding to promote AI literacy.
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Artificial Intelligence
Lawmakers signal support for using AI to prevent veteran suicides in FY26 VA funding bill reports
“There is a significant need to improve early suicide indicators and detection using artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies that improve operational efficiency and effectiveness throughout veteran service delivery,” according to a House Appropriations panel report.
Cybersecurity
Dem lawmakers renew calls for release of delayed telecom security report
In a letter to DHS and ODNI, Sens. Ron Wyden of Oregon and Mark Warner of Virginia said the release of a 2022 report detailing cyber vulnerabilities in the U.S. telecommunications sector is “critically important to U.S. national security.”
Artificial Intelligence
OpenAI offers US veterans free year of its ChatGPT Plus service
Veterans and transitioning servicemembers can register for the plan if they are within 12 months of their retirement or separation from active duty.
People
Energy names its third permanent CIO since the start of Trump 2.0
Dawn Zimmer has had multiple stints this year as the department’s acting CIO.
Artificial Intelligence
Lawmakers propose requiring agencies, major firms to report AI’s job impact
A new bill from Sens. Mark R. Warner, D-Va., and Josh Hawley, R-Mo., would direct covered entities to provide quarterly reports to the Labor Department detailing layoffs and workforce displacements caused by uses of AI.
Modernization
Post-9/11 veterans group’s project to modernize VA healthcare includes suicide prevention focus
The initiative from the nonprofit Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America is helmed by former VA Secretary David Shulkin and is looking into seven preliminary areas of care.
Artificial Intelligence
Inside Mission Daybreak: VA’s effort to support innovative suicide prevention
VA’s director of data and analytics innovation said the program “is looking for what is the right solution for the ways that we want to optimize care, and sometimes that's technology, and sometimes it isn't.”
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Cybersecurity
House Democrats want answers on CISA reassignments to border security, immigration roles
A letter led by Rep. James Walkinshaw, D-Va., argues DHS violated the Antideficiency Act when it conducted a reduction in force during the government shutdown.
Artificial Intelligence
VA’s AI suicide prevention tools aren’t meant to replace clinical interventions — advocates want it to stay that way
The AI tools currently being used to identify veterans at high-risk of suicide always include human outreach.
