FCW Insider: July 14

Deadline looms for contractors to ditch banned Chinese equipment

A broad federal prohibition on contractors that use gear from a host of Chinese tech makers goes into effect in mid-August.

WH CTO to take over DOD's top research role

Defense Secretary Mark Esper names U.S. CTO Michael Kratsios to be acting undersecretary of defense for research and engineering after Michael Griffin's resignation from that post took effect July 10.

House members push 3% pay raise for civilian federal workers

Citing pay parity and COVID-19 resiliency, lawmakers urge Appropriations Committee to rethink planned 1% increase.

What our COVID response says about public management

Testing is all well and good, Steve Kelman notes, but true follow-through is the hard part.

House Appropriations keeps moving on FY21 funding billls

Appropriation for the Departments of Education, Labor and Health and Human Services clears committee, includes emergency funding for state unemployment programs.

DIU issues $13 million in drone contracts to fight COVID

The Defense Department's innovation arm has fast-tracked $13.4 million in small-drone contracts under the Defense Production Act.

Quick Hits

The deadline for Government Innovation Award nominations has been extended to July 17. Submit yours today, and ensure that the most innovative government projects, disruptive companies and individual Rising Stars get the recognition they deserve.

Also, don't miss tomorrow's' Workshop on DOD Cloud.  Learn more about the speakers and topics at this July 15 virtual event at FCW.com/DODcloud.