Emerging Tech
VA Exploring Options for a Grand Challenge to Prevent Suicide
The agency is looking for a contractor to help run a possible multi-phase competition, including outreach and potentially raising private-sector funds for the prizes.
Modernization
GSA Suggests Using ‘Secret Shoppers’ to Evaluate Call Centers
The contact center within GSA’s Centers of Excellence offered a template for using mystery shoppers to measure performance.
Emerging Tech
Cheetah-Inspired Soft Robot 'Gallops' with Super-Speed
The new robots can also run up steep inclines, challenging or impossible for soft robots that exert less force against the ground.
Artificial Intelligence
COVID-19 Is Accelerating Trends in the U.S.-China Relationship
Economic analysts see a closing window for U.S. policymakers to engage with Chinese counterparts on areas of mutual interest and benefit.
Emerging Tech
National Lab Scientists Work to Reprogram Genes to Fight COVID-19
Using CRISPR, Sandia National Lab researchers are genetically engineering antiviral countermeasures to fight the coronavirus—and potentially future outbreaks.
Modernization
Amazon Files Another Protest Over JEDI Contract
Microsoft responds by blasting Amazon Web Services for trying to force a do-over for the multibillion-dollar cloud contract.
Modernization
Centers of Excellence Team With Another Health Agency Amid Pandemic
FDA became the fourth agency in 2020 to join the Centers of Excellence program; ninth overall.
Emerging Tech
Big Tech and Aviation Companies to Set Standards For New Drone-Tracking System
The eight vendors will set the technology standards for FAA’s Remote ID program to track drones and their operators.
Emerging Tech
Pentagon, Senators Blast FCC Decision to Let Company Share GPS Spectrum
Space Force chief, Pentagon tech leaders, and the Armed Services chairman led calls to reconsider the controversial license for Ligado.
Ideas
COVID-19 Is Accelerating AI in Health Care. Are Federal Agencies Ready?
Agencies need to have a plan in place to capitalize on AI.
Emerging Tech
NASA, Virgin Galactic Team Up to Advance Supersonic Tech for Point-to-Point Travel
The work will be conducted via a Space Act Agreement.
Modernization
Homeland Security’s Biometrics Database Is on Its Way to the Amazon Cloud
The Office of Biometric Identity Management released a privacy impact assessment as the program begins moving the nation’s biometric database to Amazon’s GovCloud.
Cybersecurity
Government Absence Leaves Big Tech to Steer Privacy for Contact Tracing Apps
Agency CISOs will have to weigh the ramifications of apps that could combine health and location data of federal employees, a security professional said.
Digital Government
Senators Push for $26 Billion in the Next Stimulus Package to Support U.S. Researchers
The growing group hopes to help address the pandemic-induced challenges that research universities, academic medical centers, national labs and others are facing.
Emerging Tech
Energy Offers Advanced Computing Resources to Solve Domestic Manufacturing Challenges
The agency launched a new opportunity for industry and academic partners to tap into its top tech tools.
Cybersecurity
FCC Wants Help Interpreting Law to Fund Replacement of Huawei, ZTE Equipment
The commission is giving stakeholders 15 days to weigh in on a related rulemaking.
Artificial Intelligence
Sammie Finalists Highlight Outstanding Accomplishments of Federal Employees
Dr. Anthony Fauci is one of 27 career civil servants recognized in the Partnership for Public Service’s prestigious annual awards program.
Emerging Tech
The Army Wants a Wearable COVID-19 Detector
Due to the urgent need, the managing consortium has suspended some—but not all—of its members-only restrictions.
Digital Government
Defense Innovation Board Director Moves to Google
It’s another sign of the healing relationship between the Defense Department and big tech.
Ideas