Digital Government
NIH Needs ‘Honest Broker’ To Manage New COVID-19 Data Warehouse
The health agency is looking for a vendor to act as a “neutral intermediary” to spur research without compromising patient privacy.
Digital Government
Congress Hammers Big Tech on Business Practices
House lawmakers grilled the tech chiefs of four of America’s largest companies, continuing its investigation into possible antitrust violations.
Modernization
GSA rolls out IT acquisition learning portal
The GSA's new IT acquisition portal offers a range of training on how to use and buy new technologies.
Modernization
IT modernization for the COVID era
Crises are clarifying events, and the pandemic is making clear the limits of IT systems built for a different era.
Digital Government
GAO: More Than Half of COVID-19 Government Contracts Not Competitively Awarded
While some of that spending went through existing IDIQs, some $7.7 billion in new contracts were awarded “using the unusual and compelling urgency exception.”
Modernization
Could a new academy solve the AI talent problem?
The National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence is recommending a new academy to train feds to take on federal agency jobs involving emerging technologies including AI.
Modernization
Senate Dems join push for $1B TMF boost
A group of Democratic senators are asking top appropriators to include a sixfold increase to an IT modernization revolving fund in the next round of pandemic relief and stimulus legislation.
Digital Government
Survey: Tech Employees Less Comfortable Negotiating Salary in COVID-19 Era
Fewer employees at large tech companies are talking salary with their managers during the pandemic.
Artificial Intelligence
Facial Recognition Algorithms Struggle to Detect Faces Under Masks, NIST Study Finds
A new study from the National Institute of Standards and Technology found facial recognition algorithms developed pre-pandemic struggle to identify masked faces.
Modernization
CBP Gets $15M from Modernization Fund to Ditch Its Last Mainframe
The Customs and Border Protection Agency plans to upgrade a system that tracks imported goods and still relies on COBOL.
Digital Government
The State of Customer Experience
Federal agencies had been working to improve service delivery—then the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
Digital Government
4 Million Americans Waited Over an Hour in Line at Social Security Field Offices in 2019
Two separate Social Security Administration inspector general audits provide a detailed picture of customer experience over the past decade at the agency.
Modernization
CBP lands TMF award to modernize legacy system
Customs and Border Protection won a $15M award to update a COBOL-based fee collection system and move it to the cloud.
Ideas
A Test and Trace Strategy for Reconnecting to Government Networks
Agencies shifted to large-scale work from home operations but little thought has been given to how to secure these networks when workers return to the office.
Digital Government
Bill Calls for National Database to Track Evictions
The Housing and Urban Development Department would be required to set up and secure a new, central resource.
Modernization
Pentagon issues contract guidance on China tech ban
The Defense Department outlines how it will implement the upcoming government ban on doing business with companies that use certain Chinese telecommunications equipment.
Ideas
Is Telehealth as Good as In-Person Care? A Telehealth Researcher Explains How to Get the Most Out of Remote Health Care
The question of when to use telehealth must also take into account the risk and burden of getting care.
Ideas
How to Protect Remote Workers’ Productivity and Performance
Even as restrictions ease, working from home will continue for many. Experts offer tips for bridging the distance.
Modernization
Oversight Democrats Want at Least $1B for Technology Upgrades in Next Relief Bill
Lawmakers make the case that the funding should be included in any coronavirus relief package that comes to a vote to help address IT systems struggling due to surge in demand.
Cybersecurity