People
Senators float plan to authorize local-level federal executive boards
The bipartisan Improving Government Efficiency and Workforce Development through Federal Executive Boards Act is designed to strengthen the workforce development activities of the boards.
Cybersecurity
Federal Cyber Mandates for Water Infrastructure Are Too Costly to Implement, Experts Say
A House hearing saw expert testimony emphasizing the need for steady funding to cybersecurity programs in water utility providers—especially in rural regions.
Policy
The World Gets Ready to Change the Fundamentals of Measurement, Again
The organization in charge of measurement standards is considering a change to one of the most basic forms of measurement.
Modernization
Acquisition Failures at VA Lead to Congressional Calls for Enhanced Oversight
Republican leaders on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee want the VA to halt major purchases until a new binding acquisition management framework is implemented.
Ideas
Mars Is Littered with 15,694 Pounds of Human Trash from 50 Years of Robotic Exploration
Discarded pieces of landing gear, crashed spacecraft and wear and tear have produced a lot of debris that is now scattered around the Martian surface.
Digital Government
Is it Time to Add IT Workforce Ratings to the FITARA Scorecard?
A new report from ACT-IAC recommends changes to the biannual FITARA scorecard, including adding a category measuring IT workforce capabilities.
Digital Government
Lawmakers Are Setting a Tight Schedule to Avoid a Government Shutdown
Senate Democrats plan to unveil a bill Wednesday, but will hold off on a vote in an effort to rally support for it.
Emerging Tech
GSA to Study Demographic Equity in Remote Identity Tech
The agency plans to test the accuracy of tools like facial recognition software across different demographic groups.
Policy
Lawmakers are setting a tight schedule to avoid a government shutdown
Senate Democrats plan to unveil a bill Wednesday, but will hold off on a vote in an effort to rally support for it.
Defense
U.S. soldiers offer a virtual help desk for Ukraine fighters
U.S. maintenance specialists communicate via encrypted chatrooms to help Ukrainians modify and repair weapons.
Policy
Is it time to add IT workforce ratings to the FITARA scorecard?
A new report from ACT-IAC recommends changes to the biannual FITARA scorecard, including adding a category measuring IT workforce capabilities.
Acquisition
VA owns up to acquisition woes at House hearing
Lawmakers grilled Department of Veterans Affairs officials over a series of significant failures within its acquisition programs and modernization efforts.
Cybersecurity
FCC Adds China-linked Telecom Providers to List of National Security Threats
The departments of Defense and Justice want the agency to take a more comprehensive approach to preventing foreign adversaries from accessing Americans’ communications and data.
Modernization
DHS to Begin Electric Vehicle Adoption for Law Enforcement
The Mustang Mach-E model is currently undergoing cybersecurity risk tests.
Policy
Interior’s Body Camera Policy is not Finalized Despite Years of Use, Watchdog Says
Not all Department of Interior bureaus using body cameras have finalized and implemented their policies, which often were not in compliance with the agency’s overall policy or standards.
Cybersecurity
Combating Foreign Malign Influence Requires Enhanced Information Sharing
Experts advised the intelligence community to have “more holistic conversations” with the public about the threat landscape.
Podcasts
Critical Update: Gaming the (Solar) System
Advances in virtual reality and graphics processing have led NASA to partner with gamers on the path to preparing astronauts for a mission to Mars.
Acquisition
GSA opens Polaris to next set of small-business bidders
The General Services Administration has released the final solicitation for service-disabled and HUBzone small businesses to bid on the Polaris IT vehicle.
Digital Government