Acquisition
GSA inks OneGov pact with Tenable for 65% discount on cloud security tools
This is the General Services Administration's 17th agreement signed for enterprise-level pricing to all federal agencies.
Modernization
Transportation planning to expand its use of agentic AI capabilities
A growing number of federal agencies are moving to adopt agentic AI capabilities across their operations.
Cybersecurity
US charges former Accenture employee with misleading feds on cloud platform’s security
Danielle Hillmer, most recently employed with SentinelOne, allegedly concealed a cloud product’s noncompliance with federal security regulations.
Artificial Intelligence
NDAA includes directive for DOD to prioritize use of AI for mental health needs
The House Armed Services Committee’s report accompanying the FY26 National Defense Authorization Act said the panel “believes the rate of military suicide is unacceptably high and that a new approach is required to solve this pervasive problem.”
Artificial Intelligence
AI, quantum computing, fusion energy remain Energy’s top research priorities
Energy Undersecretary for Science Darío Gil walked House lawmakers through the agency’s research priorities for the AI-centric Genesis Mission and beyond.
Modernization
OMB, OPM pitch new governmentwide HR system
A joint memo from OMB Director Russ Vought and OPM Director Scott Kupor Wednesday laid out plans to encompass all federal HR management data into a single technology platform by fiscal 2028.
Policy
Lawmakers seek details behind SSA plan to slash office visits
Nextgov/FCW first reported the agency’s intention to reduce field office visits last week.
People
New nonprofit aimed at strengthening government effectiveness is launched by former Democratic White House staffers
While the Trump administration has pursued cuts to agency workforces and programs in a quest to improve efficiency, the CEO of Governmental Renewal said that the new nonpartisan organization is not “a response to specific actions underway today.”
Policy
Trump’s national security strategy risks blinding US to other threats, former officials warn
The White House’s push to prioritize Venezuela, coupled with hardline policies on migration and drug trafficking, threatens to pull intelligence resources away from enduring security challenges in Europe, Asia and beyond, they argue.
Artificial Intelligence
New House commission to scrutinize AI's impact on the economy
The House Democratic Commission on AI and the Innovation Economy will address policy issues like guardrails for AI and its economic, safety and health impacts.
Ideas
Cybersecurity 101: Why it’s time to rethink what we think we know
COMMENTARY | Cybersecurity isn’t about eliminating risk. It’s about managing it wisely.
Defense
More AI tools coming in days or weeks, Pentagon R&D chief says
Wide deployment of artificial intelligence now sits atop Emil Michael’s critical priorities.
Acquisition
SBA orders 8(a) companies to turn over financial records
The Small Business Administration says not complying with this directive could result in removal from the 8(a) program entirely, plus “further investigative or remedial actions.”
Policy
Push to 'reform the government root and branch' detailed in Trump’s new management agenda
The President's Management Agenda for Trump's second term offers fewer specific policy plans than other recent agendas.
Artificial Intelligence
Trump plans to sign order preempting state AI laws
Congressional efforts to legally place a 10-year moratorium on state artificial intelligence regulation have thus-far failed to garner enough support.
Cybersecurity
Defense authorization bill includes billions for cyber, intelligence matters
The NDAA notably deviates partly from President Donald Trump’s national security strategy, which seeks some distance between the U.S. and Europe. It also makes a sweeping regulatory harmonization demand.
Modernization
Technology Modernization Fund reauthorization not included in NDAA
The revolving fund — set up in 2017 to back government modernization projects — will expire at the end of this week without congressional action.
Artificial Intelligence
HHS releases AI strategy, united by new OneHHS approach
The Department of Health and Human Services has set up a plan for AI implementation across the agency that relies on five pillars of effort.
Policy
House Homeland leaders seek briefings from Apple, Google on ICE-tracking apps
Republican lawmakers say crowdsourced tools that flag immigration enforcement activity may endanger federal personnel and disrupt operations.
Cybersecurity