Digital Government
FCW Insider: May 12
The latest news and analysis from FCW's reporters and editors.
Cybersecurity
U.S. Marshals Service Breach Exposed Personal Data of 387,000 Prisoners
The agency notified affected individuals this month after learning about the intrusion in December.
Emerging Tech
VA Exploring Options for a Grand Challenge to Prevent Suicide
The agency is looking for a contractor to help run a possible multi-phase competition, including outreach and potentially raising private-sector funds for the prizes.
Acquisition
NITAAC says it can fill in for STARS
The National Institutes of Health's governmentwide contracts can pick up the slack for GSA's STARS II 8(a) small business set aside contract’s early cut off.
Digital Government
Audit: HHS Not Maximizing Authorities to Recruit Scientists
The audit suggests the Health and Human Services Department should make use of the 21st Century Cures Act to recruit and retain more government scientists.
Artificial Intelligence
Quantum Hardware Could Cut AI Power Needs
Sharing intelligence features between hardware and software would offset the energy needed for using AI in more advanced applications such as self-driving cars or discovering drugs.
Modernization
GSA Suggests Using ‘Secret Shoppers’ to Evaluate Call Centers
The contact center within GSA’s Centers of Excellence offered a template for using mystery shoppers to measure performance.
Emerging Tech
Cheetah-Inspired Soft Robot 'Gallops' with Super-Speed
The new robots can also run up steep inclines, challenging or impossible for soft robots that exert less force against the ground.
People
House Dems want paid parental leave benefit to apply retroactively
Letting new parents take time off would alleviate coronavirus-related concerns, members stated in a May 8 letter to leadership.
Ideas
Improving Customer Experience in the Wake of COVID-19
During a crisis when it is most important to provide an experience that gives customers confidence in their government.
Cybersecurity
FBI Got Everything It Asked for in DNC Investigation, Refuting ‘Missing Server’ Myth
New transcripts released by the House intelligence committee shed light on Russia’s interference in 2016 election.
Digital Government
COVID-19 constraints delay needed CMMC rule change
Social distancing requirements have delayed the public hearing needed for a rule change to enforce new cybersecurity standards for contractors.
Modernization
In COVID relief, lawmakers look to help states with legacy IT
A bipartisan group of lawmakers is urging House leaders to include funding for states to modernize their technology infrastructure with an eye to a cloud-first approach, shared services that deliver functionality to cities and towns and some oversight of state technology plans as a condition of receiving funding.
Digital Government
FCW Insider: May 11
The latest news and analysis from FCW's reporters and editors.
Cybersecurity
CISA Flags False Statements from China in COVID-19 Disinformation Warning
The agency also cautioned against dangerous suggestions—such as ingesting bleach—as cures for the disease.
Ideas
The U.S. Military Has Officially Published Three UFO Videos. Why Doesn't Anybody Seem to Care?
This is the first time the Pentagon has publicly confirmed the authenticity of UFO footage.
Artificial Intelligence
Pentagon Wants Better Data For Its Predictive Aircraft Maintenance AI
The Pentagon’s AI center is looking to break through past challenges it has faced advancing predictive maintenance among select aircraft.
Cybersecurity