Digital Government
House Passes Stopgap Spending Bill Seeking to Avoid Shutdown Through Dec. 11
After last-minute negotiations, bill receives bipartisan support.
Ideas
DeVos Vows to Require Standardized Tests Again: 4 Questions Answered
States may face a financial hit if they do not heed DeVos’ warning about testing.
Digital Government
Annual Government Spending Approaches Historic Territory
Driven heavily by the Defense Department, contract spending across government will exceed $600 billion in fiscal 2020.
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.
Modernization
Preliminary FITARA Scores Look Good, Lawmaker Says
FITARA scores are not finalized but Rep. Gerry Connolly says no agency will receive a D or an F on upcoming scorecard.
Digital Government
House Appropriators Add Support for FedRAMP, 5G and Chinese Telecom Bans to Spending Bill
The committee also suggested adding another $25 million to the Technology Modernization Fund.
Cybersecurity
House Appropriations Advances Defense Spending Bill
Areas of concern for cybersecurity include building the workforce and 5G development.
Digital Government
Data Shows Significant Drop in IT Services Spending Post COVID-19
Global government spending data shows worldwide decline in IT spending this year, though the numbers tell a unique story for the U.S. government.
Ideas
Where’s the Money? Keep an Eye on the CARES Act
With the passage of the $2.3 trillion economic relief bill, things are happening at breakneck speed.
Digital Government
Trump Objects to Pandemic Spending Oversight, But Congress and IGs Still Have Authority
“Signing statements by themselves do not really do anything,” said one expert.
Digital Government
Senate Stimulus Bill Includes Resources for Federal Telework and Contracting Community
Portions of the Senate’s stimulus bill address immediate technological challenges for government.
Artificial Intelligence
NIST Works on the Industries of the Future in Buildings from the Past
The standards agency updated lawmakers on its artificial intelligence and quantum computing efforts and it’s $775 million deferred maintenance backlog.
Cybersecurity
Senate Committee OKs Bill to Give CISA Subpoena Authority Over Internet Service Providers
Lawmakers are pushing to give the agency more power and resources despite the cuts requested in the president's budget.
Digital Government
Government Issued $175 Billion in Improper Payments, Watchdog Says
Despite laws and technology changes, federal agencies saw increased losses from fiscal 2018.
Digital Government
DHS to Waive Contracting Regulations to Speed Up Border Wall Construction
Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf is using a 2005 law to override certain requirements.
Cybersecurity
White House Budget Gives Election Agency More Funding, But Expert Says It's Not Enough
"A budget should be doubling down on funding [election-related] institutions," the observer argued.
Digital Government
Trump’s Budget Pushes Bonuses and Reskilling to Build Up IT Workforce
The budget calls for reskilling 400,000 federal employees using OMB’s Reskilling Academy as a model.
Emerging Tech
Administration Proposes At Least Half a Billion in Quantum Investments
Most agencies saw cuts in general federal research and development funding in the 2021 budget request, but several saw an uptick in quantum-focused dollars.
Cybersecurity
President’s Budget Would Axe NIST Program Meant to Help Small Businesses with Cybersecurity
Other agencies and departments would receive significant funding increases for cyber.
Digital Government