Acquisition
Labor Department rolls back Trump-era religious exemption for contractors
DOL announced it would undo a rule that was criticized by civil rights activists as easing the ability of some federal contractors to discriminate when making hiring decisions.
Modernization
DOD awards $32.6 million in spectrum OTAs
The awards were made via an other transaction agreement through the National Spectrum Consortium. DOD has increasingly used OTAs to rapidly buy and fund prototype development as well as fielding new technologies.
Cybersecurity
White House Highlights Cybersecurity Benefit in Infrastructure Package
Along with more than $1 trillion in funding, the House-passed bill moves to the president’s desk with new authorities for relevant agencies and officials.
Digital Government
FCW Insider: November 8, 2021
The latest news and analysis from FCW's reporters and editors.
Acquisition
Why DOD is so bad at buying software
The Defense Department wants to acquire emerging technology faster and more efficiently. But will its latest attempts to streamline its processes be enough?
Acquisition
DIU director: Look beyond reform to keep the technological edge
Mike Brown, the director of the Defense Innovation Unit, said the acquisition reform is needed for the requirements, budgeting processes.
Cybersecurity
Incident Reporting Legislation Moves Enforcement Power from CISA Director
The bipartisan measure introduced as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act makes other significant changes to legislation introduced in September.
Digital Government
More Federal Agencies Report Using Performance Data for Business Decisions, Survey Shows
A Government Accountability Office survey shows most agencies are improving the use of performance data, with two leading the way.
Cybersecurity
Officials: Cybersecurity Mandates Are important But Don’t Address Funding Needs
A panel of federal CIOs and CISOs lauded recent cybersecurity mandates as important, but noted conflicting priorities and lack of funding is causing issues.
Cybersecurity
Small Financial Institutions Say They’re Getting Squeezed by Others’ Bad Cybersecurity Practices
Representatives from small banks and minority financial institutions told Congress they need help in the form of better, streamlined regulation.
Artificial Intelligence
Lawmakers Push DOD to Share its Data to Help U.S. Make AI Gains
New legislation to pilot easy-access data libraries could be included in the fiscal 2022 NDAA.
Cybersecurity
$500 million for TMF, other tech added to Build Back Better
Governmentwide technology modernization appropriations are back in the Biden administration's signature Build Back Better legislation, but the timing of a vote remains unclear.
Ideas
Modernizing Procurement Could Help Federal Agencies Increase Efficiency
Implementing contract lifecycle management system automates procurement systems to allow for faster, simpler and more accurate procurement.
Digital Government
Competition Drives the Gender Pay Gap? Maybe Not
Women like to compete when they have the option to share their winnings with the losers.
Digital Government
FCW Insider: November 5, 2021
The latest news and analysis from FCW's reporters and editors.
Cybersecurity
DOD Suspends Cybersecurity Certification Program Pending Major Changes
The Pentagon outlined the changes ahead for its Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program with two new rulemaking processes.
Artificial Intelligence
Defense AI Efforts Hinge on Strong Data Environments
JAIC Director Lt. Gen. Michael Groen spoke about the department’s current efforts to implement artificial intelligence and incorporate more sophisticated software into DOD’s daily operations.
Digital Government