Modernization

Lawmaker Pushes CMS to Include Telehealth Services Through Telephone

Medicare recipients must use video-conferencing for remote visits with care providers.

Digital Government

Georgia Man Charged for Operating Fraudulent COVID-19 Testing Scheme

Federal prosecutors said the alleged scheme involved billing Medicare for reimbursable medical tests regardless of whether they were medically necessary. 

Digital Government

Pentagon to Modify Hundreds of Contracts for COVID-19 Response

The Defense Department is ramping up the purchase of certain items, including ventilators, in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Cybersecurity

Tech Industry Voices Concerns about the Pentagon’s Cybersecurity Certification Plan

Officials say an updated rule for implementing the program will be open for comment later this spring.

Cybersecurity

Coronavirus Will Not Delay Pentagon’s Contractor Cybersecurity Program, Official Says

The Defense Department signed an agreement with an accreditation body for the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification.

Digital Government

Stimulus Deal Gives Agencies $340B, Helping to Boost Telework, Office Cleaning and Hiring

A Senate aide says other House-backed provisions to give feds more benefits did not make into the final deal.

Emerging Tech

White House Releases National Strategy for 5G Security

The strategy focuses on four lines of effort and will guide how the government approaches 5G for the near future.

Digital Government

Real ID Deadline Postponed Due to Coronavirus

President Trump pushed back the Oct. 1 deadline that would have required Americans to have Real ID compliant driver’s licenses and other identification cards in order to board an airplane.

Policy

How the Federal Tech Community Is Coping With COVID-19

“The IT leaders in the federal community, our contractor partners and our vendors are stepping up in incredible ways,” Federal Chief Information Officer Suzette Kent said.

Digital Government

Defense Secretary Says Teleworking Could Last Months

During a virtual town hall, Mark Esper warned employees to be vigilant for phishing attempts and practice good cyber hygiene.

Modernization

Amazon: Pentagon Trying to ‘Gerrymander’ JEDI Corrective Action

Amazon Web Services said the Pentagon’s plan to fix the Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure cloud contract is not enough. 

Emerging Tech

Trump Administration Wants to Know What COVID-19 Tech From China Should Be Exempt From Tariffs

The administration has already lifted tariffs on 200 medical-care products from China in response to the coronavirus outbreak but wants to know what more is needed.

Digital Government

White House Updates Contracting and Technology Guidance for Federal Agencies  

During the coronavirus outbreak, the Veterans Affairs Department got a greenlight to rehire experts and the Justice Department clarified its stance on working in states with shelter-in-place orders. 

Cybersecurity

NIST Offers 8 Ways Agencies Can Use Its Cybersecurity Framework

One approach involves getting a better sense of potential contractors’ cybersecurity posture.

Cybersecurity

Regulators Say Maritime Industry’s Pandemic Plans Can Skip Cybersecurity Details

The Coast Guard stresses new guidance adds flexibility for compliance with existing security planning requirements.

Digital Government

Senators Call on Agencies to Post Contingency Plans for Public

It’s the latest push by lawmakers on the executive branch to be more transparent in its COVID-19 response.  

Ideas

Why Singapore's Coronavirus Response Worked—and What We Can All Learn

The first thing that helped with its response was it was ready before the outbreak even occurred.