Modernization
IG: VA Knew Infrastructure Upgrades Wouldn’t Meet Timeline For March Health Records Rollout
Severe staffing shortages, infighting and lack of comprehensive planning for infrastructure improvements would have handicapped the multibillion-dollar project, the inspector general said.
People
State and local government jobs are front and center in Dems' plans for COVID-19 relief
Democratic lawmakers are seeking aid to help state and local governments retain workers and avoid layoffs in the next relief bill aimed at alleviating the economic toll that the coronavirus pandemic has had upon the U.S. economy.
Digital Government
Astronaut Advice: How to Cope with Social Distancing
You don't get a lot of visitors in space.
Digital Government
Federal Employee Union Proposes Preconditions to Returning to Government Work Sites
The American Federation of Government Employees last week called the Trump administration’s recently unveiled plans for “reopening” the federal government “premature and imprudent.”
Modernization
Opening up DOD's AI black box
As algorithms and other AI tools become more prominent to military operations, researchers are studying better ways to visualize and communicate their decision-making.
Cybersecurity
CISA tapped as shared services provider for cyber
The Office of Management and Budget formally designated Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency as the first Quality Service Management Office for shared services.
People
Where did the ideas for shutdowns and social distancing come from?
Steve Kelman offers another story about hero civil servants (and a good president).
Digital Government
FCW Insider: April 28
The latest news and analysis from FCW's reporters and editors.
Ideas
COVID-19 Is a 'Global Experiment' for the Environment
Multiple measurement types and sophisticated computer models are required to figure out how and why greenhouse gases are changing due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Cybersecurity
Zoom or Not? NSA Offers Agencies Guidance for Choosing Videoconference Tools.
The agency weighs in on the questions federal employees and contractors should ask as they select collaboration platforms.
Emerging Tech
Republican Lawmakers Propose Bill to Support Government COVID-19 Research Effort
The COVID Research Act includes several authorizations, including $50 million to the Energy Department.
Emerging Tech
Survey: 4 in 5 Americans Worried Pandemic Will Encourage Government Surveillance
Many Americans oppose intrusive technologies even if they’re intended to assist in the government’s response to coronavirus.
People
GOP lawmakers seek limits on foreign TSP investments
A House bill lands as a veterans group steps up efforts to lobby the military and the White House against investment in Chinese defense firms.
Modernization
Big changes on GSA's IT category team
Bill Zielinski, who had been the face of the agency's next-generation, $50 billion telecommunications contract, is leaving to become a municipal CIO.
Digital Government
One Year In, Administration Names First Lead Office In New Shared Services Regime
The Homeland Security Department is the first to designate a Quality Service Management Office to lead its shared services marketplace.
Ideas
Is the FaceTime Haircut Here to Stay?
Out-of-work hairstylists, acupuncturists, and even plumbers are seeing clients online. The transition hasn’t always been easy.
Artificial Intelligence
The Amazon Lockdown: How an Unforgiving Algorithm Drives Suppliers to Favor the E-Commerce Giant Over Other Retailers
At a time when much of the retail sector is collapsing, Amazon is strengthening its competitive position in ways that could outlast the pandemic — and raise antitrust concerns.
Digital Government
House Approves Creation of a Select Panel to Oversee Pandemic-Related Spending and Response
Critics have said the committee will be duplicative, but one transparency expert said that "overlapping oversight jurisdictions can be a good thing if managed correctly."
Modernization