Emerging Tech

AFWERX to Launch Four Challenges to Accelerate Space Innovation

The Air Force’s innovation group is crowdsourcing some of the pain points in the space domain.

Artificial Intelligence

Presidential Advisers Push for National Network to Support Quantum and AI Advancement

As with the High Performance Computing initiative in the past, industry and academic advisers told the administration they need facilities and a network to get from bits to neurons and qubits.

People

Key agencies still lack confirmed watchdogs

Expert says lack of confirmation sends message that inspectors general are undervalued, ineffective

Emerging Tech

FAA Looking to Launch New Vehicle for Innovative IT Services

The agency is conducting market research ahead of rolling out the Information Technology Innovative Procurement for Strategic Sourcing vehicle.

People

Carrots or sticks?

Steve Kelman considers the research on what makes for an effective motivator.

Digital Government

Dating Apps Can Be Dangerous. Congress Is Investigating.

Prompted by press reports, including a recent article by Columbia Journalism Investigations and ProPublica, a House subcommittee announced that it would examine the use of dating apps by minors and the prevalence of sex offenders on such sites.

Modernization

Deputy secretary Jim Byrne out at VA

The number two official at the Department of Veterans Affairs was fired Feb. 3 by Secretary Robert Wilkie as the agency faces down a key milestone in a $16 billion tech project.

Digital Government

The Census Already Started in Alaska. Native Translators Are Working to Prevent Undercount Repeat.

Across the country, tribal and non-English speaking communities are creating guidance and messages in a variety of languages to encourage Census 2020 participation.

Acquisition

Congratulations to the 2020 Federal 100 Award winners

Meet the women and men being honored for their exceptional contributions to federal IT.

Modernization

Bureau of Indian Affairs wants new computer contract

The agency that provides services to hundreds of Native American tribes wants a multivendor computer hardware contract that allows its agencies to comply with set-aside goals and unite sometimes fragmented buying.

Digital Government

Quick Hits

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Digital Government

FCW Insider: Feb. 3

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

Digital Government

With voting nearly underway for 2020, who is in charge of policing disinformation?

A plan from Sen. Warren's campaign is designed to avoid a repeat of Russian tactics in 2016, but some experts say different challenges will emerge in 2020.

Ideas

Britain and America Have a China Problem

London’s and Washington’s differing assessments of Beijing’s rise point to deeper issues between the two countries.

Digital Government

Future of Federal Data Strategy Will Include Informing Citizens About How Their Data Is Used

As agencies share more data between departments, the administration will develop a framework and tools for citizens to manage how their personal information is used.

Cybersecurity

Pentagon Announces Final Version of Cyber Standards for Contractors

Mythbusting officials explain why the Defense Department’s certification plan will have a slow rollout.

Emerging Tech

The Defense Department Wants to Use the Atmosphere as a Sensor

Defense researchers suspect that the atmosphere could help detect impending disturbances.

Cybersecurity

Pentagon finalizes CMMC standard for contractors

The Defense Department released its first unified cybersecurity standard that all defense contractors will have to meet by 2026.

Emerging Tech

FCC Approves $20 Billion Rural Broadband Funding Plan

While proponents heralded the fund as a major step to close the "rural digital divide," Democrats on the commission warned that many areas that need internet won't get help.

Acquisition

GSA launches second phase of buying schedule consolidation

The General Services Administration has started the process of modifying contracts to fit the new unified buying schedule.