FCW Insider: Oct. 21

Key questions remain for contractors about diversity training regulations

Although a Department of Labor official says diversity training is still possible for federal contractors under the new policies, confusion over the guidelines has already resulted in cancelled training as agencies and contractors hit pause rather than risk violating a Trump administration executive order.

An extraordinary public servant, now a little the worse for wear

Steve Kelman checks in with longtime VA leader Ed Meagher, who was recently honored for a lifetime of citizen service.

NITAAC CIO-SP4 on track

Despite the pandemic, the next iteration of one of National Institute of Health's Information Technology Acquisition and Assessment Center's governmentwide contracts is steadily progressing.

NSA warns contractors on China hacks

The National Security Agency released details on 25 existing vulnerabilities that Chinese state-sponsored threat groups are using to try to penetrate defense industrial base networks.

Quick Hits

*** A Defense Department plan, still in the early stages, to fast-track its own 5G capabilities by using its own mid-band spectrum could lead to a sweetheart deal for wireless company Rivada, according to a CNN report. Rivada unsuccessfully bid on the FirstNet public safety network. Source told CNN that the White House is pressuring DOD to make an award for the scheme without going through the competitive bidding process.

*** GCN reports that water managers and farmers in the West will soon be able to more accurately track water consumption by crops and other vegetation through a web application that uses data from satellites and weather stations. The app, dubbed Open ET, is the result of a collaboration between the Environmental Defense Fund, NASA, the Desert Research Institute and Google.