Policy
Biden Backs DIY Fixes in ‘Right to Repair’ Dispute
The pandemic underscored the need for independent and individual repairs of laptops, tablets and phones, and other equipment.
Modernization
Innovation-Minded Feds Invited to Join New Community of Practice
The group is looking for federal employees of all levels to promote the application of modern approaches and practices across the government.
Cybersecurity
Report: COVID-19 Increased Acquisition Activity in Cyber Industry
The pandemic contributed to more than 120 publicly announced cybersecurity acquisitions in 2020 as the need for cybersecurity tools grew.
Modernization
Why the Pentagon’s JEDI Cloud Contract Wasn’t a Total Loss
Experts say the now-canceled project is a reminder that tech acquisitions need flexibility to take into account innovation.
Modernization
More Underestimated Infrastructure Costs Could Raise VA EHR Price Tag $2.5B
The latest inspector general report shows more underreported infrastructure costs for the electronic health record program, prompting lawmakers to call a hearing for later this month.
Digital Government
DOJ to Help Rural and Tribal Law Enforcement Agencies Buy Body-Worn Cameras
The competitive grants program will also help agencies with fewer than 50 personnel.
Cybersecurity
VA’s Cybersecurity Still Missing Critical Zero-Trust Element, Watchdog Says
An official from the Government Accountability Office said she is encouraged by the formation of an investment review board at the department and intends to monitor it closely.
Cybersecurity
IG: SBA’s Cybersecurity ‘Not Effective,’ In Part Due to COVID
The pandemic created new cybersecurity problems for the Small Business Administration, according to the agency’s annual FISMA report.
Artificial Intelligence
How JEDI’s Ghost Will Bring Bitter Rivals Together
The death of the Pentagon’s controversial cloud computing mega-contract likely puts Amazon and Microsoft in a new sort of partnership.
Modernization
Cloud after COVID
More than a year of pandemic operations has altered government’s view of cloud-centric modernization
Emerging Tech
DHS Considering Small Business-Made Tech Greenlighted by Other Agencies
The agency wants to know if other parts of the government have developed tech that could help its mission.
Modernization
A Catch-22 Is Keeping Telemedicine Off the Battlefield
Wargame planners won’t include even low-bandwidth telehealth until it has proven valuable in wargames.
Modernization
IRS Offering $7.5M for New Ideas to ‘Digitize’ and ‘Digitalize’ Paper Documents
The sixth solution challenge under the Pilot IRS program focuses on the process and pipeline for turning paper documents digital.
Modernization
Pentagon Cancels JEDI Cloud Contract
The Defense Department will opt for a new multibillion-dollar, multi-vendor contract.
Modernization
Pentagon cancels JEDI contract
The Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure contract is dead and the Pentagon is pressing forward with a multivendor, direct award approach to better fit warfighter needs.
Cybersecurity
Debate Heats Up as Senator Prepares to Introduce Incident-Reporting Legislation
Reviews are in on draft legislation Sen. Mark Warner’s office has circulated and plans to update for introduction after the holiday break.
Digital Government
VA Secretary: Changes Coming to Electronic Health Records Program
Secretary Denis McDonough just completed a months-long strategic review of the multibillion-dollar EHR modernization program.
Modernization
Survey: Nearly 80% of Feds, D.C. Employees Believe Productivity Increased With Telework
The American Federation of Government Employees survey comes as agency heads decide how to operate in the waning months of a pandemic.
Modernization
VA Is Asking Congress for Fewer IT Dollars in 2022 But Plans to Spend More Than in 2021
The Transformational Fund has been marinating for five years and is ready to supplement the agency’s IT spending.
Ideas