Digital Government
SpaceX’s Starlink Petitions 'Grossly Unfair' Denial of $885M in Broadband Funding
The Federal Communications Commission rejected the bid, citing concerns that Starlink would not be able to meet the required speeds, which Starlink has since refuted.
Cybersecurity
Cyber criminals increasingly relying on ransomware-as-a-service, report says
A new report reveals threat actors are using the same ransomware as in previous years – but relying on new malware-free intrusion methods and ransomware-as-a-service offerings to evade popular mitigation techniques.
Digital Government
NIST, Google Announce Chip R&D Partnership
The public-private sector collaboration will make industry standard chips available to smaller research entities to encourage semiconductor manufacturing.
People
GSA’s Login.gov has a new director
The former director of software engineering for the city of Philadelphia is taking the helm of GSA’s Login.gov.
Policy
Senate Dems call on ICE to halt facial recognition and buying from data brokers
Sens. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) are also pressing the immigration enforcement agency to detail their use of surveillance technologies.
Ideas
Frank Drake has Passed Away But His Equation for Alien Intelligence is More Important Than Ever
The equation gives a blueprint for estimating how many alien civilizations may exist.
Digital Government
US Trails China in Key Tech Areas, New Report Warns
Ex-Google, DOD leaders paint dire picture unless U.S. organizes to win technology races.
Digital Government
Lawmakers Eye a Stopgap Spending Measure to Avoid a Shutdown Through Mid-December
Congress must iron out several wrinkles before passing the bill.
Acquisition
Commerce names desired winners for $1.5B enterprise IT vehicle
The window is open those who believe one or more of these intended awardees are actually not small businesses.
Acquisition
GSA plans to scale up e-commerce program
The General Services Administration wants to offer government buyers more online platforms to conduct small-scale acquisitions following a reportedly well-liked pilot program involving Amazon, according to a new request for proposals.
Policy
Senate bill looks to software licensing for cost savings
A follow-on to the Megabyte Act of 2016 would give agencies new requirements for enterprise software licensing.
Emerging Tech
Ligado’s 5G Network Will Interfere With Some DOD Satellite Services, Report Finds
The study determined that Ligado’s terrestrial wireless network will not cause ‘significant harmful interference’ for most GPS receivers, but will potentially impact Iridium satellites used by the Defense Department.
Digital Government
Former Government Scientist Named Inaugural Director of New Health Innovation Agency
Dr. Renee Wegrzyn will lead the new agency––the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health––aimed at advancing biomedical innovation.
Cybersecurity
A Cyber Workforce Strategy is Coming From the White House, Along with an Implementation Body to Make Sure it Works
The Office of the National Cyber Director has a workforce plan in development that looks to address public sector and private sector gaps in the cybersecurity profession.
Cybersecurity
CISA Requests Input on Terms Already Defined by Incident Reporting Law
The agency is embarking on a rulemaking process to implement the law, which requires those who make ransomware payments to report them to the government.
Cybersecurity
Maritime cybersecurity is front and center in Coast Guard reauthorization bill
A new Coast Guard reauthorization bill would provide some of the first cybersecurity protections and data management requirements for the U.S. Marine Transportation System in federal law.
Emerging Tech
NASA Needs to Improve Artemis Mission Guidance, Watchdog Says
The report found that NASA is following scheduling intended for individual programs, rather than full-blown missions.
Emerging Tech
Biden Spurs U.S. Biotechnology with New Order
In a surprise executive order, President Biden directed more federal resources to go toward establishing a competitive U.S. biomanufacturing sector to support independence in key input ingredients.
Modernization
FAA again extends deadline for $2.4B IT services contract
The Federal Aviation Administration is still working through 450 questions from companies interested in the multiple-award vehicle.
Cybersecurity