Digital Government
OPM Issues Guidance on Additional Paid Sick Leave for Feds During the Coronavirus Pandemic
The federal government’s human resources agency confirmed this week that most federal workers are eligible to take up to two additional weeks of paid sick leave this year related to COVID-19.
Cybersecurity
CISA’s Coming Supply Chain Guidance to Align with Pentagon’s Vendor Certification Program
Accreditation officials also pledged to address how the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program will treat FedRAMP and other certifications.
Digital Government
Agencies Remind Employees to Remain Ethical During Pandemic
Think twice before accepting a gift from a grateful citizen or using your work computer for personal activities, agencies say.
Policy
Bill Proposes $2 Billion to Help Students Get Online During the Pandemic
The legislation would mandate the Federal Communications Commission to distribute funds for Wi-Fi hotspots and other devices for internet connectivity.
Cybersecurity
The Pentagon’s Cybersecurity Certification Plan Includes Continuously Monitoring Contractors
A request for proposals outlines a portal where auditors would get automatic notifications if a company’s security score dips below a specified threshold.
Emerging Tech
NIST Launches Innovation Contests in IoT, Augmented Reality to Boost Emergency Response
Potential contestants must register and submit their concepts by May 6.
Emerging Tech
To Understand the Medical Supply Shortage, It Helps to Know How the U.S. Lost the Lithium Ion Battery to China
The failed U.S. effort to dominate global production of the lithium ion battery — which is key to energy independence, automobile innovation and more — holds lessons for leaders grappling with the U.S.’s reliance on China for emergency medical supplies.
Digital Government
Self-Reported Symptoms Pave Way for COVID-19 Forecasting
Researchers are gathering self-reported descriptions of COVID-19-related symptoms nationwide with the help of Facebook and GoogleSelf.
Digital Government
White House Instructs Agencies to Begin Process of Returning Some Employees to Their Offices
Operations will remain abnormal for the coming months and will vary widely across the country.
Emerging Tech
Forget Travel Vouchers, Airlines Should Give Customers Cash Back, Senators Say
A group of senators estimates airlines are holding about $10 billion from customers whose travel plans changed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Modernization
VA and DOD Now Default to Sharing Patient Data with Private-Sector Providers
The joint electronic health records management office launched an information exchange program to make it easier to share patient data with thousands of “community partners.”
Ideas
We Need Mission-focused Risk Management Programs to Adapt to Changing Circumstances
In the midst of a global pandemic, it is more important than ever to know which systems are critical to our operations.
Digital Government
Trump Administration Releases Guidance to Clarify Coronavirus Relief Act’s Contracting Provisions
Agencies can use CARES Act funds to reimburse contractors from March 27 to September 30, 2020.
Emerging Tech
How a Slice of Spectrum Split the U.S. Government
The head of the Federal Communications Commission wants to allow a satellite company access in the interest of 5G despite objections from Defense, Commerce and other departments and agencies.
Modernization
Groups Urge Congress to Fund Federal Tech Upgrades in Next COVID Stimulus Bill
Six federal technology advocacy groups offered four principles for legislators to consider.
Cybersecurity
New Leader of IT Sector Coordinating Council Wants Alignment on Key CISA Initiative
The new chairman of the Information Technology Sector Coordinating Council aims to be more involved in the agency’s work to protect industrial control systems.
Digital Government
White House Advises Agencies on COVID-19 Spending and Reporting
“Time is of the essence,” but “spending transparency and regular reporting will provide important accountability mechanisms to help safeguard taxpayer dollars,” the Office of Management and Budget said in a memo.
Emerging Tech
How Homeland Security’s Biosurveillance Arm Uses Tech To Track a Pandemic
The National Biosurveillance Integration Center began tracking what would become the novel coronavirus on Jan. 2.
Ideas
Government Secrecy Is Growing During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Local, state and federal officials throughout the United States have locked down information from the public.
Digital Government