Modernization

18F Says 6 Core Concepts Can Reduce Risk in Federal Tech Projects

The new De-risking Government Technology Field Guide looks to educate officials on how to merge modern software design with traditional government bureaucracy.

Modernization

Bipartisan House Bill Targets Improving Digital Identity Verification

Lawmakers aim to help confront and curb identity theft through strategic modernization.

Emerging Tech

The Air Force’s ‘Connect Everything’ Project Just Had a Big Success

The simulated cruise missile intercept harnessed widely dispersed systems — all supervised by tablets in a flight-line hangar.

Emerging Tech

Bill Would ‘Jumpstart’ Planning Process for Beefing up Border Security Tech

The bill, announced by Rep. Elissa Slotkin, would require the Homeland Security Department to develop a comprehensive border security technology strategy.

Digital Government

How and When GSA’s New Central Contracting Portal Will Lose the ‘Beta’

The next major transition to beta.SAM—the FPDS contract award data reporting tools—is coming next month, with the legacy SAM.gov next on deck.

Emerging Tech

USDA Makes New Move in Broad Effort to Bring Innovative Tech to America’s Farmers

The agriculture-focused agency wants public input on potentially disruptive, existing assets to consider.

Ideas

It’s Time to Shore up the Universal Service Fund So It Can Live up to Its Name

Congress needs to create a solution that reflects how Americans actually use telecommunications services rather than how we once did.

Cybersecurity

Cyber Commission Suggests Reforms to Allow Flexible Pay, Hiring to Boost Workforce

Prospective federal employees might be turned off by cybersecurity jobs being classified as IT.

Digital Government

Pentagon Acquisition Chief Hints Section 889 Supply Chain Waiver May Be Extended

The Defense Department’s Undersecretary for Acquisition and Sustainment Ellen Lord spoke briefly about Section 889 Part B implementation Wednesday.

Emerging Tech

IRS Wants to Be Able to Trace ‘Untraceable’ Digital Currencies

The agency’s criminal investigation group is increasingly encountering anonymous and privacy-focused online payments methods.

Cybersecurity

COVID Could Spur Reduced Reliance on Classified Sources of Cyber Intelligence

CISA officials highlighted cloud configuration and VPN vulnerabilities in assessing threats associated with the pandemic.

Digital Government

Report Outlines How U.S. Could Counter Un-Democratic Uses of Surveillance Technology

The federal government should take steps to imbue surveillance technologies with individual freedoms protections citizens of democracies expect, the authors say.

Digital Government

Pentagon, Defense Contractors Are Out Of Step On Tech Innovation, GAO Finds

The Pentagon wanted to fund ambitious research into future tech breakthroughs but contractors spend most of their money on safer bets, GAO has found.

Digital Government

DHS Files Rule Proposing Increasing Scope of Biometric Information Collection 

The Homeland Security Department posted the full text of a proposal to the Federal Register that would give it the ability to collect more biometric information from immigrants.

Cybersecurity

FCC Estimates Replacing Chinese Telecom Equipment Will Cost at Least $1.6 Billion

A key lawmaker echoed calls from the agency’s chairman for Congress to appropriate the money.