Acquisition
Veterans Affairs to again rethink $400M file conversion contract
GovCIO continues to challenge VA's choice of General Dynamics IT and the department has opted to look at the award again.
Emerging Tech
Oak Ridge public-private partnership looks to advance quantum tech for the power grid
The partnership between Oak Ridge National Laboratory and utility provider EPB aims to find ways that quantum technologies can enhance energy resilience.
Cybersecurity
Biden to veto any efforts to shutter SEC cyber disclosure rules
The SEC argues the disclosure rule forces firms to be more transparent with investors. Opponents say it may compromise sensitive business data and publicize vulnerabilities.
Cybersecurity
Cyber, intelligence chiefs urge U.S. to strengthen against Chinese cyber threats
In a collective call to action, officials warned of invasive actions that China-backed hackers can take against U.S. infrastructure and elections.
Defense
More tech sector collaboration is key to U.S. global leadership, DOD official says
Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks said “the future of our nation depends” on closer ties between the Pentagon and the private sector.
Cybersecurity
US disrupts China-linked cyber campaign impacting critical infrastructure, Justice officials say
The hackers infected privately owned small office/home office routers to conceal the origins of their intrusions into critical infrastructure systems.
Artificial Intelligence
Pentagon’s new bug bounty seeks to find bias in AI systems
The head of DOD’s Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office said “the outcome of the AI bias bounties could powerfully impact future DOD AI policies and adoption.”
Policy
OPM: Federal salaries won't be tied to private sector pay histories
Agencies can’t use non-federal salaries to help set pay for new or returning federal employees, under a new rule from the Office of Personnel Management.
Cybersecurity
Top cyber, intelligence chiefs to call out China as leading cyber threat
Researchers and officials have previously designated China as a clandestine, preparatory operator in cyberspace, quietly breaching and securing systems to use to their advantage at a later time.
Acquisition
Agencies are losing out on software savings, GAO finds
Agencies don’t have the right data and aren’t always checking to make sure they’re not over- or under-purchasing software licenses, according to a new Government Accountability Office report.
Artificial Intelligence
Agencies are on track with AI executive order deadlines, White House says
At the 90-day mark since President Joe Biden’s sweeping artificial intelligence executive order, agencies have met mandated timelines, with some initiatives ahead of schedule.
Ideas
Touching base with some young contracting officers
COMMENTARY | Steve Kelman connects with up-and-coming federal procurement officials.
Artificial Intelligence
VA should establish an AI disclosure process, Republican lawmaker says
Though the Department of Veterans Affairs has already made “admirable” use of artificial intelligence, transparency “has got to be elevated to a top priority,” according to Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Mont.
Exclusive
Digital Government
Interior Department taps first-ever chief digital experience officer from OMB
Andy Lewandowski, who has been a digital experience advisor to the federal CIO for over two years, is starting a new gig at the Department of Interior.
Artificial Intelligence
Stop funding predictive policing tech without ‘evidence standards,’ lawmakers tell DOJ
Seven Democrats are urging Attorney General Merrick Garland to cease grant funding for predictive policing systems until DOJ ensures they are not having “a discriminatory impact.”
Emerging Tech
Senators take bipartisan shot at preventing space jams
Senate legislation seeks to make “basic-level” space data, analytics and other services available to help maintain U.S. dominance in the space sector.
Exclusive
Cybersecurity
‘Relatively few’ agency policies met standards for IoT security, OMB reports
Early last year, the White House office ran a sweeping assessment on agency IoT device security policies. Most fell short on aligning with NIST guidance, according to a letter sent to Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va.
Digital Government
OMB wants public input on privacy impact assessments
A forthcoming request for information includes questions about how agencies procure data about Americans from commercial sources.
People
Former DHS employees sentenced for plot to steal government software, databases
The trio wanted to to build a commercial software product that would have been sold to government agencies.
Emerging Tech