Acquisition

DARPA's Pandemic Prevention Platform

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in early 2020, DARPA's 10 years of funding research and development on DNA and RNA vaccines, including a $25 million award to Moderna to help establish its messenger RNA platform, proved critical.

Acquisition

Christopher Krebs: Truth and consequences

Krebs spent 2020 working furiously to ensure the integrity of our elections, while also ensuring that ransomware, software supply-chain vulnerabilities and a range of other rapidly escalating risks didn't cripple government operations or the nation's critical infrastructure.

Acquisition

Craig Abod: Taking the pain out of procurement

Craig Abod and Carahsoft have been working to make IT acquisition decisions easier and more effective.

Emerging Tech

Scientists Are Using New Satellite Tech to Find Glow-in-the-Dark Milky Seas of Maritime Lore

For centuries, sailors have told tales of huge swaths of ocean glowing on dark nights.

Cybersecurity

Lawmakers Call for Check on Software Acquisition Requirements in Defense Bill

Language from the House Armed Services’ cybersecurity subcommittee also proposes testing for non-kinetic attacks, and the creation of an inventory toward ending the use of legacy systems.

Emerging Tech

US Navy Will Upgrade Warships to Add Unnamed Space Capabilities

“Everything is classified” when it comes to space, one admiral complained.

Ideas

The Future of Work Is Flexible

Even for national security workers, remote work options will be more prevalent in the post-COVID era.

Emerging Tech

Army Wants to Install Facial Recognition, Video Analytics at Child Development Centers

The branch plans to pilot a new facial recognition system at the daycare facility at Fort Jackson.

People

Biden orders 2.7% pay raise for civilian feds

The pay hike was included in the administration's 2022 budget and takes effect early next year.

Ideas

Why Open-Source Tech Holds the Key to Modernization

As “avoid vendor lock-in” eclipses “do more with less,” open source offers freedom to tailor mission-specific solutions and cherry-pick right-sized applications.

People

Reorganizing for the Biden agenda at OPM

OPM is beefing up its diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility office as part of an agency reorganization in support of a wide-ranging executive order covering the federal workforce.

Ideas

These 3 Energy Storage Technologies Can Help Solve the Challenge of Moving to 100% Renewable Electricity

Energy storage can make facilities like solar farms more profitable by letting them store power for cloudy days.

Digital Government

Quick Hits

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Digital Government

FCW Insider: August 27, 2021

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

Digital Government

Lawmakers Demand Documents From Many Agencies on Jan. 6 Preparation and Response

Information will include how agencies deployed resources and potentially impeded the presidential transition.

Cybersecurity

CISA Encourages Mitigations in Face of OnePercent Group

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency shared an FBI flash report on the group which provides insight into the extent of the ransomware business ecosystem.

Emerging Tech

Facial Recognition Tech Use Increasing Among Federal Agencies

Use cases included criminal investigations, building security and access to digital assets like smartphones and security agency websites.

Emerging Tech

Energy Awards $54 Million in Microelectronics Grants

The awards are designed to increase energy efficiency and stimulate U.S.-based innovation.

Emerging Tech

House Bill Aims to Bridge Acquisition ‘Valley of Death’ In Race to Counter China

A draft of the House NDAA markup outlines two provisions to fix the gap between research and acquisition.