Digital Government
Former Defense Secretary Joins Counter-Drone Startup
Mark Esper will serve on the Epirus board of directors.
Artificial Intelligence
Senate Bills Aim to Grow Federal Tech-Ready Workforce—and the Government’s Transparency About its AI Use
Lawmakers moved to operationalize suggestions made by a Congressionally-mandated AI commission.
Modernization
If the Pentagon Drops JEDI, Then What?
Defense Department officials say the contract’s enterprisewide capabilities are still needed, but how to fill that need may be different given the department’s changing cloud landscape.
Digital Government
FAA Knows It Needs More Tech Experts, Just Not How Many
The Federal Aviation Administration needs IT experts, as well as specialists in emerging technologies like drones and 3-D printing, but doesn’t have hard, quantitative data on those workforce gaps.
Emerging Tech
Lockheed, Air Force Software Factory Helps Field New Strike Planning Aid System
The contractor built new DevSecOps pipelines for Rogue Blue software factory in Nebraska.
Cybersecurity
Biden Issues Executive Order to Bolster Nation’s Cybersecurity
The administration calls for a standardized federal playbook and review board for incident response, as well as changes to software procurement.
Emerging Tech
DOD Not Prioritizing Development of GPS Alternatives, GAO Says
Despite known vulnerabilities with GPS tech, the department treats developing other position, navigation and timing technologies as an “afterthought,” officials said.
Digital Government
Survey: 1 in 3 Experience Slow Service Engaging With Government
Despite progress, a recent survey indicates agencies still have room to improve service delivery.
Emerging Tech
Pentagon Preps to Experiment with Robotic Surgery, Augmented Reality Via 5G
A request for product proposals is in the pipeline.
Digital Government
Pentagon Publishes Five Data Decrees
Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks also mandated assessments of certain data efforts in a May 5 memo.
Emerging Tech
Energy Department to Fund Research into All Forms of Nuclear Matter
The agency has $10 million for projects that blend quantum information science with nuclear physics.
Emerging Tech
DHS Drops Proposal to Expand Immigration-Related Biometrics Collection
The Biden administration withdrew the controversial rule, which garnered more than 5,000 comments when it was proposed last fall.
Emerging Tech
Treasury Office Seeks Tools to Trace Cryptocurrency Linked to Sanctions List
The department’s Office of Global Targeting is looking for multiple tools to track the flow of virtual currencies and user behaviors.
Modernization
Justice Official Recommends Supreme Court Reject Oracle’s JEDI Petition
Oracle has not won at any level of court despite numerous bid protests against the Pentagon’s Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure contract.
Emerging Tech
Elon Musk Is Maybe, Actually, Strangely, Going to Do This Mars Thing
From his private Cape Canaveral, the billionaire is manifesting his own interplanetary reality—whatever it costs.
Emerging Tech
TSA Wants New Ideas to Speed Up Checkpoints
The agency is looking for established technologies that could eliminate physical pat-downs and shoe removals.
Emerging Tech
Army to Equip First Unit With Augmented Reality Headsets By Fall
Top Army officials told Congress the first unit will be equipped with the Integrated Visual Augmentation System headsets by the first quarter of fiscal year 2022.
Digital Government
Pentagon Watchdog to Examine How the U.S. Military Handles UFOs
The inspector general launched an evaluation into “actions regarding Unidentified Aerial Phenomena” just before a similar report is due to Congress.
Modernization