Cybersecurity
Pentagon Wants Contractor Feedback on Rule Change that Bans Certain Chinese Firms
A provision of the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act banning agencies from contracting with companies doing business with Chinese firms like Huawei and ZTE now takes effect.
Modernization
FPDS Reports Will Officially Move to beta.SAM by Mid-October
Users will no longer be able to run contract award reports through FPDS.gov, though that site will retain other capabilities.
Emerging Tech
New Coalition Wants to Help in Fight Against Election Misinformation
The Election Integrity Partnership consists of university researchers and others. Local election officials are among those the partnership is hoping to assist in the weeks ahead.
Emerging Tech
NIH Sets Sights on Enterprisewide Tool to Track Its Millions of Twitter Engagements
The institutes also want to be able to pinpoint influencers and medical misinformation.
Modernization
CBP expects cloud management contract next year
Border agency looks to early next year for cloud integration services contract.
Cybersecurity
FBI, NSA reveal undisclosed Russian hacking tool
The GRU malware targets Linux operating systems and is used to conduct cyber espionage on behalf.
Acquisition
DOD eyes large COVID payments for contractors
Ellen Lord, the Defense Department's chief buyer, said the organization is considering lump-sum payments for COVID-19 claims rather than negotiating contract-by-contract.
Artificial Intelligence
What the Rest of Government Should Watch When the Defense Authorization Bill Goes to Conference
Overhauling FedRAMP is just one of a list of ways the NDAA could affect civilian government tech.
Ideas
The U.S. Election System Is Not Ready for Blockchain Technology … Yet
Blockchain does not exist in a vacuum. It requires extensive support from human personnel and other technology.
Digital Government
Lag continues for federal voting system standards
The election community wants the EAC to speed up its process for approving new voting system standards. Public comments on draft requirements show there are still numerous unresolved conflicts to hash out.
Digital Government
Connolly balks at FEVS delays
The head of the subcommittee with oversight of the federal workforce is accusing the Office of Personnel Management of "mishandling" the government's annual employee survey.
Digital Government
FCW Insider: Aug. 13
The latest news and analysis from FCW's reporters and editors.
Emerging Tech
Open-Source Project Aims to Broaden Access to Early Alerts for Earthquakes
Using internet of things devices and open-source standards, developers and citizen scientists can help monitor earthquake activity, deliver alerts in moments of risk—and more.
Digital Government
Education Department Testing Tool to Make Data Collection Requests Easier
The pilot tool will undergo testing using real information requests at the Education Department and other statistical agencies but will later be available to other agencies.
Modernization
JAIC to expand ethics team
Jane Pinelis, the JAIC's chief of testing, evaluation, and assessment, said the center is working to expand its ethics team, which is charged with ensuring the Defense Department's AI projects meet ethical standards.
Ideas
What It’s Like to Be a Remote Intern at a Federal Agency
Two students dish about their COVID summer experiences.
Emerging Tech
Universal Service Fund Wants to Automate Verification of High-Cost Telecom, Broadband Areas
The Universal Service Administrative Company is looking at robotic process automation to streamline checks and balances before it subsidizes telephone and internet access in high-cost areas.
Emerging Tech
Do All Face Masks Offer Similar Protection? New Test Offers A Way to Compare
The limited findings raise doubts about the effectiveness of neck gaiters and bandanas in preventing the spread of the coronavirus.
Cybersecurity