Acquisition
GSA’s draft AI procurement rule has improved but needs further reforms, contractors say
Contractors have until Aug. 3 to give GSA feedback on a proposed overhaul to large language model procurements.
Digital Government
VA wants more input on proposals to streamline benefits application forms
The Department of Veterans Affairs is sourcing feedback on two proposals to shorten the length of benefits forms but has thus far only received a total of nine comments since the recommendations were posted last month.
Cybersecurity
White House announces ‘Gold Eagle’ AI clearinghouse for cyber vulnerabilities
The initiative stems from a June 2 executive order that urged advanced AI developers to grant the government early access to their capabilities to address potential vulnerabilities.
Ideas
Modernization redefined: Why public sector IT leaders must put data at the center of AI architecture
COMMENTARY | Public sector organizations must put data first when making infrastructure choices.
Artificial Intelligence
AI won’t replace human claims processors, VA officials say, as Democrats worry over staffing levels
Rep. Nikki Budzinski, D-Ill., said some VA employees report claims processing technologies are producing incorrect information.
Cybersecurity
AI, once relegated to helping hackers with certain tasks, can now power every stage of a cyberattack
Researchers determined that AI was used in steps across entire cyber operations to identify security flaws, generate commands and carry out parts of intrusions, sometimes with little human oversight. Both U.S. and Chinese AI models have been involved.
Acquisition
DOD suspends CMMC Phase 2, launches 60-day ‘reform’ review
Citing prohibitive costs for small and mid-size contractors, the Defense Department will keep Phase I self-assessments in place while a new task force studies the cyber and supply chain security program's future.
Digital Government
Beeck Center leader reflects on ‘bipartisan opportunity’ for government efficiency
Efforts at the federal level generated a lot of headlines, but at the state level, where the goal is delivery, a lot more progress can be made, said the head of the Georgetown University-based center.
Cybersecurity
Russian hackers exploit weak router security to breach critical infrastructure, Western allies warn
The guidance comes as the United Kingdom and European Union blamed a major Russian intelligence unit for an attempted attack on Poland’s power grid last year.
Exclusive
Cybersecurity
DHS network intrusion was twice ruled a false positive before breach confirmed
Suspicious activity on the Homeland Security Information Network, which is being used to support World Cup games around the U.S., was first detected around mid-to-late May.
Policy
Tech Bills of the Week: Leveraging AI for cancer research; Securing chatbots for underage users; and more
Congress’ latest bills look to apply AI for both public benefit and enhanced federal operations, namely safeguarding AI chatbots, helping the government strengthen pediatric cancer research and securing the U.S.-Mexico border.
Ideas
Don’t just pick the low-hanging fruit — harvest the whole orchard
The instinct is to point AI at low-stakes busywork. The bigger payoff is the high-stakes work everyone’s avoiding. Why don’t we have both?
Policy
Trump empties out election commission leadership just months before midterms
The shake-up raises questions about voting system certification, federal election security coordination, and the commission’s ability to approve key policy decisions.
Ideas
What the Telecommunications Act of 1996 teaches the federal government about governing AI
COMMENTARY | The federal government's responsibility is to establish clear rules before markets become entrenched.
People
Transportation’s tech chief Pavan Pidugu to depart in September
He is the third federal tech lead confirmed to depart federal service this week.
Exclusive
People
HUD CIO tapped to lead Interior tech shop, people familiar say
Eric Sidle has a background in the EV industry, having worked with firms like NIO and ChargePoint.
Cybersecurity
Pentagon opens applications for cyber apprenticeship program
DOD Chief Information Officer Kirsten Davies said last month that the apprenticeship had “already generated more than 70,000 inquiries” since it was first announced in late April.
Modernization
How to find alien technology
I wanted to know how astronomers actually go looking for life in space.
Artificial Intelligence
OpenAI’s advanced GPT-5.6 models to be publicly released
After working alongside government partners for safety evaluations, OpenAI said it is “expanding preview access globally” for its latest powerful model series.
Defense