Artificial Intelligence

Pilot IRS Will Shift Focus to Key Technologies in 2021 Solicitations

Forthcoming solicitations will center on digitizing paper and poor-quality documents, high-speed scanning and automation tools.

Ideas

It's When Not If with Ransomware: How Agencies Can Prepare

Agencies must acknowledge this threat and take steps to prepare, defend and remediate.

Ideas

You Can Fly! CDC Says Fully Vaccinated People Can Travel Safely within the U.S.

Travelers should continue to wear a mask and maintain social distance.

Cybersecurity

DOE Watchdog Detailed Its Cybersecurity State Amid SolarWinds Hack

The department continues to struggle with many of the issues the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency identified after widespread intrusions into the public and private sector. 

Emerging Tech

Army Wants to Automate Base Access With Facial Recognition at Drive-Thru Checkpoints

The proposed system uses a reliable form of facial biometric identification but would need to control for variables like weather and low light.

Artificial Intelligence

Pentagon AI Hub Issues $241M Data Readiness Contract

The government intends to issue multiple basic ordering agreements over a five-year performance period, according to solicitation documents.

Workforce

Officials Aim to Diversify the U.S. Quantum Workforce Early On

As experts unleash efforts to attract the future workforce, they are also being deliberate about ensuring the budding field is inclusive from the start.

Ideas

The Hidden Toll of Remote Work

Switching to Zoom forever might be convenient, but it’s a recipe for loneliness.

Emerging Tech

FCC to Consider Proposal Enabling Spectrum for Commercial Space Launches

Companies currently are approved on an ad-hoc basis to share the federal spectrum during specific operations. 

Cybersecurity

DOD Concludes Review of First CMMC Certification Organization

The Accreditation Body in charge of the department’s developing certification program also has a notable new leader as others take their leave.

Modernization

State Department Floats $4B Vehicle to Consolidate Its IT Contracts

The new contract vehicle will also shift the agency’s strategy to focus on fixing problems instead of buying tech.

Modernization

Why the Army Elevated Its Enterprise Cloud Office to Agency Status

Director Paul Puckett explained the move is a recognition that cloud computing is not a temporary project.

Cybersecurity

CISA Orders Agencies to Conduct Fresh Scans of Microsoft Exchange Servers

The agency issued supplemental guidance requiring new tests with Microsoft-provided tools and measures to harden the attractive target.

Emerging Tech

Microsoft to Produce Augmented Reality Headsets Under $21B Army Contract

The Army’s Integrated Visual Augmentation system headset is based on Microsoft’s HoloLens gaming device.

Modernization

GAO Dismisses IBM Bid Protest on $729 Million Task Order

The decision comes after the Army undertook multiple corrective action periods to address concerns mostly related to mapping of government personnel.