Modernization
Treasury’s $1B Cloud Contract Aimed at Single Cloud Broker
Contracting officials released a new clarification document as the department continues preliminary work on a broad cloud management contract.
Emerging Tech
U.S. Bans Business with 7 Chinese Supercomputing Firms
The new Entity List inclusions are reportedly due, in part, to use of products in China’s military pursuits.
Emerging Tech
Army Seeks Info on Biosurveillance Systems that Can Detect Coronavirus
The service wants off-the-shelf forecasting tools that could be part of a broader health-monitoring system.
Ideas
Embrace the Unexpected: To Teach AI How to Handle New Situations, Change the Rules of the Game
Giving AIs adaptability is important for futuristic systems.
Policy
Jobs Plan Is Part of Competing with China, Commerce Secretary Says
Gina Raimondo said President Biden’s $2 trillion infrastructure proposal will be key in out-competing China.
Ideas
NASA Reaches for the Wright Stuff
Just being able to successfully hover off the ground will be a huge victory for the Ingenuity helicopter.
Emerging Tech
NASA’s Martian Helicopter Readies for Inaugural Flight on Earth’s Neighbor
The agency provided updates on milestones met—and a glimpse at what’s to come.
Artificial Intelligence
Federal Shared Services Provider Needs a System to ID Bots in Its Data Center
One of the four central financial service providers wants to use more robotic process automation in its data centers but needs to be able to track those bots—and any potential malicious bots creeping in, as well.
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.
Digital Government
House Republicans Call For VA-Led Campaign to Help Protect Vets from Cyber Risks
A new deep-dive study and public website would stem from the efforts.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Emerging Tech
Bipartisan Legislation to Boost U.S. Manufacturing Put Forward in Both Chambers
A U.S. chief manufacturing officer would be appointed to advise the president.
Emerging Tech
A Marine Logistics Base May Be the Warehouse of the Future
Virginia Tech researchers aim to use 5G networks to track items as they come and go.
Emerging Tech
How Virtual Reality Is Helping Prepare Service Members to Support Peers in Emotional Distress
The VR training gives airmen practical experience convincing a peer to seek help.
Emerging Tech
Watchdog to Review How Postal Inspectors Handle Cryptocurrency
Digital currencies have already been seized by the law enforcement arm in previous investigations.
Ideas