Emerging Tech

U.S. Semiconductor Production Will Rely on Improved Measurement Science, NIST Reports

Metrology—the science of measurement and its applications—will influence the quality and reliability of electronics as they get smaller and smaller.

Cybersecurity

NIST to Launch New Guidance on Security Risks of Telehealth and Smart Home Integration

The agency notes that “user experience” improvements may come with less control over privacy and security.

Defense

The Army wants smarter sensors to ease soldiers’ ‘cognitive burden’

New intelligence and electronic-warfare tools aim to help commanders get data faster.

Cybersecurity

Housing agency didn't complete cyber orders from DHS, report says

The agency said that some of its websites failed to comply with binding operational directives from the Department of Homeland Security.

Cybersecurity

NSA, CISA and ODNI release new software supply chain guidelines for developers

An interagency, public-private working group “strongly encouraged” software developers to begin implementing a suite of best practices aimed at further securing the software development lifecycle.

Modernization

Louisiana Becomes First State to Receive Internet for All Grants

The Department of Commerce is focusing on bridging digital divides across all rural communities in the U.S.

Digital Government

NASA Awards SpaceX $1.4B for Five More Missions

The addition brings SpaceX’s total contract value to more than $4.9 billion.

Acquisition

Amazon-Microsoft rivalry now turns to $1B NGA contract

The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency went down the sole-source route, which of course led to a protest.

Modernization

Over $105 Million Going to Better Internet for Native American Communities

The Department of Commerce announced a series of new grants through the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program.

Digital Government

It's Official: Biden Formalizes Average 4.6% Pay Raise Plan for Feds in 2023

The annual declaration of a national emergency preventing large automatic pay increases from taking effect confirms that 0.5% of the total pay raise will go to an average increase in locality pay.

Emerging Tech

Energy Awards $70 Million to Boost Supercomputer-Powered Earth Modeling System

Funding for seven projects will help improve the agency’s Energy Exascale Earth System Model that uses supercomputers to simulate climate change’s impact.

Cybersecurity

National Cyber Director’s Office Elevates Key Personnel

Nick Leiserson helped develop legislation that created the cyber director’s office. A year after its establishment, he’s moving to a position where he can use it to shape policy.

Emerging Tech

Microsoft Challenges Intelligence Agency's $1B Task Order to Amazon

The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency went down the sole-source route, which of course led to a protest.

People

It's official: Biden formalizes average 4.6% pay raise plan for feds in 2023

The annual declaration of a national emergency preventing large automatic pay increases from taking effect confirms that 0.5% of the total pay raise will go to an average increase in locality pay.

Digital Government

OMB looks to update federal race and ethnicity data standards

The government's chief statistician put out a call for input via newly announced listening sessions as part of OMB's work to update federal race and ethnicity standards.

Exclusive Cybersecurity

Much-hyped Effort to Help DHS Land Cyber Talent is Slow to Make Hires

So far about four hires have been made under the Cybersecurity Talent Management System, with the agency hoping to make offers to 150 new cyber specialists by the end of September.

Digital Government

Statistical Uncertainty Could be Problematic for Evidence-Based Policies, Study Finds

Certain privacy measures, as well as general data errors, can skew funding allocations derived from census information.

Modernization

Energy is Looking for Input on $10 Billion Electric Grid Overhaul

A pillar in the Biden Administration agenda, the electrical grid modernization aims to increase clean energy sources and grid reliability.

Defense

CACI-led team wins $5.7B Air Force enterprise IT pact

Wave number one of the branch's "Enterprise IT as a Service" effort seeks to push more basic IT functions out to industry.

Cybersecurity

DHS watchdog digs into uneven cyber awareness training, outdated policies

Some DHS policies and procedures aren’t up-to-date with the latest cybersecurity standards, a new report from the Office of the Inspector General at DHS says. The department, however, says that it’s taking action to mature their training program.