People

GAO prods OPM to review pandemic hiring

A new Government Accountability Office report says that not compiling the lessons learned from special hiring authorities could "risk significantly hindering the government's ability to recruit, hire, retain and manage its current COVID-19 pandemic workforce as well as for future pandemics or emergencies."

Acquisition

Federal watchdog calls out transparency issues in pandemic spending

A committee established to ensure transparency around government spending related to COVID-19 found that federal agencies failed to provide clear reporting on how they were spending billions of dollars.

Emerging Tech

DIU’s First 5G Experiment Could Be a Game-Changer for First Responders

The Defense Innovation Unit is prototyping portable—and wearable—networking tools with the California National Guard so they can connect anywhere.

Digital Government

Biden Team Wants to Know How Feds Feel About the Return to Office, Inclusion and More

Administration officials are seeking feedback in short “pulse” surveys that will go out roughly every two months.  

Digital Government

FCW Insider: October 25, 2021

The latest news and analysis from FCW's reporters and editors.

Digital Government

Quick Hits

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Policy

White House Reveals Nation’s First Gender Equity Strategy, Aiming to Close the Pay Gap and Increase Abortion Access

The Biden administration’s Gender Policy Council has released a strategy that requires each agency to figure out how to implement measures to reach key goals and makes long-awaited reforms to data collection.

Digital Government

Coast Guard looks to take law enforcement database mobile

The Coast Guard's deputy commander for operations said the maritime service wants to break down its Marine Information for Safety and Law Enforcement system into a series of mobile applications.

Emerging Tech

Bill Supports the Expansion and Development of 6G Infrastructure

A bipartisan bill would establish a council to oversee and implement 6G broadband access across the country.

Cybersecurity

Working Group Breaks Down the Keys to Securing Mobile Devices

The Federal Mobility Group’s new guidance includes four strategic pillars that form the foundations of mobile security.

Digital Government

IGs look to expand investigative authority

Agency watchdogs told lawmakers that they would like authority to subpoena former federal employees, contractors and other non-governmental witnesses to give testimony in IG probes.

Digital Government

Civic tech vendor recognizes employee union

Code for America recognized a new employee union, a first in the civic tech sector.

Artificial Intelligence

Experts Call for a U.S. National Technology Strategy as Competition Heats Up with China

There’s much to be considered as ‘what could be one of the most disruptive periods in human history’ approaches.

Ideas

Can Facebook’s Smart Glasses Be Smart about Security and Privacy?

How can someone know if the wearer is looking at you or looking at personal information about you?

Digital Government

Quick Hits

None

Digital Government

FCW Insider: October 22, 2021

The latest news and analysis from FCW's reporters and editors.

Ideas

Trailblazing Women Who Broke into Engineering in the 1970s Reflect on What’s Changed – and What Hasn’t

Women who got their start in the male-dominated profession 40 years ago have advice for today’s newcomers in STEM.