Acquisition
Acquisition frozen at DHS due to the shutdown
The Department of Homeland Security acknowledged that the government shutdown, now over a month old, is hampering the ability of the agency to respond to contract solicitations.
Modernization
Get ready for a 'text' from POTUS
FEMA and the FCC are teaming up to test an emergency alert system that includes a presidential message sent to wireless phones.
Modernization
FEMA delays nationwide alert test
A plan to test an emergency alert system by hitting nearly every U.S. cell phone with a presidential message was delayed because the agency is focused on Hurricane Florence relief.
Digital Government
FEMA tackles the hurricane rumor mill with new web page
As it responds to the potential devastation of Hurricane Florence, FEMA has set up a new web page to track and warn the public about unsubstantiated whisper campaigns related to relief efforts.
Cybersecurity
FEMA CIO Adrian Gardner reassigned
Gardner, who took over FEMA's IT office in 2013, accepted a new position as the Executive Director of Recovery Communications Technology in the Caribbean Area Division.
Cybersecurity
FEMA looks to industry for IT help
FEMA's strategic plan announced earlier this month also asks state and local governments to provide more support.
Cybersecurity
IG to investigate FEMA IT management
DHS' internal watchdog is planning to dig into FEMA's IT management practices, due to concerns it was misled by FEMA leadership about progress on IT management goals.
Modernization
Agencies prep communications for Hurricane Irma
FEMA, the FCC turn to prepping communications providers for oncoming Hurricane Irma, as post-Hurricane Harvey cleanup continues in Texas.
Cybersecurity
Storm aid could push debt, shutdown deadline to December
The emergency appropriations package for hurricane Harvey could let lawmakers punt budget and debt deals to the end of 2017, with the next shutdown threat coming in mid-December.
Modernization
FEMA mobile comms units roll in for Harvey
The federal disaster agency's fleet of mobile offices is helping power communications support for emergency responders in the Texas flood.
People
OPM offers flex for Harvey hiring
The Office of Personnel Management reminded agencies that there are exceptions in place to fast-track hiring of critical need positions, despite the federal hiring slowdown.
Cybersecurity
Why FEMA needs a new administrator, now
Former FEMA Administer Craig Fugate and House Homeland Security subcommittee leadership call for new emergency manager for the agency as soon as possible.
Cybersecurity
GAO: FEMA needs framework to improve IT systems
According to the Government Accountability Office, FEMA needs to develop a governing framework for the oversight and modernization of IT investments.
Cybersecurity
FEMA tunes into social media for operations
FEMA is adding public-facing social media to the operational data streams used by its watch centers in civil emergencies.
Cybersecurity
FEMA still lags on IT coordination, watchdog says
The Department of Homeland Security's inspector general says FEMA has improved the way it handles IT projects since the last audit in 2011, but work remains.
Cybersecurity
DHS targets FEMA frausters, DOD finalizes supply chain rule, will ODNI share 702 data?
News and notes from around the federal IT community.
Cybersecurity
Billions in FEMA grants still unspent
Congressional hearing probes the reasons why state and local governments aren't spending the federal money they've been given.
Cybersecurity