Acquisition

DARPA kicks off prep for $1B contract

Work is underway on the recompete of this technical services vehicle that supports research efforts.

Digital Government

USDA pushes out funds to modernize key nutrition benefit

The Agriculture Department awarded over $50 million in grants last month for WIC modernization and outreach and is pursuing efforts to change regulations to permit online shopping in federally funded nutrition programs.

Cybersecurity

OPM's Ahuja Gets an Earful From Agencies Over Enhanced Pay for Cyber Talent

The Director of the Office of Personnel Management is navigating the intense competition among federal agencies for in-demand cybersecurity workers.

Cybersecurity

Public Entities in Nearly Every State Use Federally-Banned Foreign Tech, Report Says

A new report from Georgetown University’s Center for Security and Emerging Technology found that at least 1,681 state and local governments purchased equipment from five Chinese companies that were banned by the federal government between 2015 and 2021.

Digital Government

Senators Applaud Intelligence Leader’s Commitment to Declassification Reform

The senators are trying to focus more resources on artificial intelligence and access-control technologies for agencies to appropriately categorize documents in the digital age.

Cybersecurity

FTC's Data Security Complaint Against Drizly Sets New Leadership Responsibility

The consequences of Drizly’s lax security measures could echo past the beverage delivery company.

Digital Government

Ashton Carter, Innovative DOD Secretary, Dies at 68

As secretary of defense during the Obama administration he pushed policies to modernize how DOD buys technology as well as opening the door to women and transgender people to serve in the military more fully.

People

How Ash Carter changed the Pentagon’s weapons buying

Over decades, the physicist-turned-defense leader worked to speed up and streamline arms procurement.

People

OPM's Ahuja gets an earful from agencies over enhanced pay for cyber talent

The Director of the Office of Personnel Management is navigating the intense competition among federal agencies for in-demand cybersecurity workers.

Cybersecurity

CISA Seeks Feedback on Baseline Measures to Secure Cloud Configuration

Initial baselines address Microsoft services, and baselines for configuring rival services from Google are up next. 

Digital Government

Drew Myklegard Named Permanent Deputy Federal CIO

Myklegard had been serving in the role on an acting basis after the departure of Maria Roat at the end of March.

Policy

Lawmakers Question Revolving Door Between Government and Crypto Industry

A group of Democratic lawmakers issued letters to several financial regulatory agencies in a bid to examine the growing trend of former public servants working for digital asset companies.

Cybersecurity

NDAA Amendment Would Establish Veteran-Focused Cyber Training Program

A provision included in House and Senate legislation authorizing Defense Department spending for fiscal year 2023 would allow veterans and military spouses to receive cyber training “at no cost.”

Emerging Tech

How Government Might Work Up to 3D-Printed Buildings

Panelists at the Imagine Nation ELC Conference noted that for some emerging technologies—like large-scale 3D printing and augmented reality—agencies may have to “start with smaller.”

Ideas

A national digital strategy for transforming government

It’s time to rethink the focus on customer experience to reimagine government operations from the ground up

People

Drew Myklegard named permanent deputy federal CIO

Myklegard had been serving in the role on an acting basis after the departure of Maria Roat at the end of March.

Defense

After 5 full-throttle years, Kessel Run is settling in for the long haul

The new leader of the Air Force “software factory” wants data and architecture standards that stand the tests of time.

People

FCW co-founder Anne Armstrong honored with ACT-IAC award

ACT-IAC honored several federal IT notables at their annual executive leadership conference this week.