Ideas
Digital Contact Tracing's Mixed Record Abroad Spells Trouble for US Efforts to Rein in COVID-19
Initial enthusiasm for digital contact tracing was sparked by early successes in countries such as South Korea.
Modernization
After Years In Limbo, GSA Cancels $15B Governmentwide IT Contract
The agency rescinded awards on the Alliant 2 Small Business last year, then canceled the solicitation altogether.
Digital Government
CBP’s Outgoing Biometrics Lead on Law Enforcement Use of Facial Recognition
Law enforcement should be careful using facial recognition in public spaces. But with the right applications, authorities and transparency, federal programs could serve a lot of good.
Artificial Intelligence
Congress Inches Closer to Creating a National Cloud for AI Research
Legislation launched in early June received new attention and support this week.
Modernization
GSA taps MetTel for its own EIS contract
The General Services Administration awards data and voice task orders under its $50 billion next generation telecommunications contract.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence Systems Will Need to Have Certification, CISA Official Says
A process for vetting algorithms and their input data is needed to build confidence in the tech but is still very far off.
Digital Government
OMB Official: We Need More Cross-Agency Collaboration Tools
Mass teleworking due to the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of digital government, including a lack of communication options for interagency collaboration.
Policy
Senate Passes Bill to End Payments to Dead People
The bill follows an audit that found the IRS sent $1.4 billion in stimulus checks to deceased individuals.
Modernization
Inside the Navy Financial System’s Cloud Migration
The Navy is running $70 billion in annual financial transactions in Amazon Web Services’ GovCloud.
Modernization
Head of GSA's Tech Service to Return to Private Sector
GSA also confirmed reports that the Technology Transformation Services is losing another program leader next month, as well.
Artificial Intelligence
Critical Update: How Veterans Shaped a Coronavirus Chatbot
Chief Technology Officer Charles Worthington discusses how the agency rolled out new digital tools to help respond to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Cybersecurity
NASA Watchdog Reports on Why the Agency Still Struggles with Cybersecurity
Almost half of the controls in an overarching shared system were assessed as deficient.
Modernization
OMB Names Two More Lead Offices for New Shared Services Regime
The announcement comes after two more agencies completed their marketplace implementation plans.
Modernization
VA Launches Digital COVID-19 Screening App for Patients and Employees
The answers can help staff direct individuals to the appropriate parts of the facility or if needed, additional screening.
Ideas
When Automation Sets Government Agencies Up for Failure
It's important to take the time to design a better system and workflow.
Modernization
GSA Selects Three Companies for E-Marketplace Pilot
Amazon Business, Fisher Scientific and Overstock.com will test out the new approach.
Modernization
Feds to oversee grid supply chain effort
The Department of Energy's cybersecurity agency is set to begin the process of prequalifying vendors of bulk power equipment for the U.S. electric grid.
Digital Government
Intelligence Authorization Would Add to Due Process Rules for Security Clearance Reviews
Also new in the bill is a provision allowing the government to share negative information about contractors with their companies.
Digital Government
Federal CIO Suzette Kent Tells Staff She’s Retiring
The government’s top IT leader is leaving government in July.
Modernization