Acquisition
DHS should assess the benefits of a risk management sharing tool, GAO says
A new report found that the department’s guidance for risk management practices in acquisition programs isn’t specific enough for all programs and could be helped by information-sharing tools.
Modernization
States need federal standards for tech used in unemployment programs, GAO says
One of the senators that requested the new report from the Government Accountability Office — Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden, D-Ore. — is tinkering with potential legislation on unemployment modernization.
Modernization
Four federal departments have not fully implemented cloud security practices, GAO says
The departments of Agriculture, Homeland Security, Labor and Treasury have made varying amounts of progress in applying crucial cloud security practices, but remain far from fully executing them, the watchdog found.
Modernization
DOD’s IT Modernization Efforts Need Data Analytics, Workforce Upskilling
The latest report from the Government Accountability underscores Defense’s ongoing need to leverage resources, personnel, and performance markers to successfully modernize its IT infrastructure.
Modernization
OMB failing to set cross-agency IT management goals, report says
Administration officials disputed some of GAO's conclusions, noting that IT goals were embedded in other management agenda targets.
Policy
GAO pegs unemployment insurance fraud tally at more than $60 billion
At the same time, the congressional watchdog cautioned that governmentwide fraud estimates are potentially dicey.
Acquisition
GAO uses uses covert testing scheme to assess SBA screening processes
The Government Accountability Office sent applications from four fake firms to the Small Business Administration's 8(a) program to see whether SBA had made progress addressing long-standing oversight issues.
Acquisition
Government watchdog calls out TMF for low rate of cost recovery
The Government Accountability Office said its previous recommendations for the Technology Modernization Fund have not been followed, leading to unrecovered operating costs and unreliable proposal cost estimates for new projects.
People
What’s next for security clearance reform?
Expect new milestones from the DOD’s governmentwide vetting IT and new policies on vetting criteria in 2022.
People
What agency tech leaders think about a U.S. Digital Service Academy
Agency tech leaders sounded off to the Government Accountability Office about the prospect of launching a digital service training school modeled on the military service academies to bring more tech talent into government.
Acquisition
Analysis: Are better debriefings driving down protests?
Beginning 2018, the Defense Department started conducting what are called "enhanced" debriefings that allow for more dialogue with companies after they've lost a contract. That means unsuccessful bidders get more information on where their bid fell short without filing a protest.
Modernization
Coast Guard completes MHS Genesis deployment
The U.S. Coast Guard has completed its rollout of the military's new commercial electronic health record system, following a long journey that was paused during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Acquisition
GAO backs Microsoft's protest of $10 billion NSA cloud award to AWS
The Government Accountability Office agreed that aspects of the National Security Agency's evaluation of a major cloud award were "unreasonable."
People
GAO prods OPM to review pandemic hiring
A new Government Accountability Office report says that not compiling the lessons learned from special hiring authorities could "risk significantly hindering the government's ability to recruit, hire, retain and manage its current COVID-19 pandemic workforce as well as for future pandemics or emergencies."
Digital Government
A 60-year-old IRS IT system won't finish modernizing until 2030
The Internal Revenue Service's plan to modernize its key source for individual tax data has seen multiple cost and schedule changes since it started in 2009.
People
Feds could see relief as Public Service Loan Forgiveness gets a reboot
The program, meant to wipe the student debt of eligible public servants, has rejected the vast majority of applications it's received.
Cybersecurity
DHS faces uphill climb with financial systems modernization
The agency made some awards on a long-delayed financial management modernization effort earlier this month, but years of work awaits the agency on establishing an enterprisewide system.
People
GOP lawmakers seek answers on SSA's acting leadership
Five Republicans are asking the Government Accountability Office to clarify legal limits under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of the term and authorities of the acting commissioner of the Social Security Administration, who was installed after President Joe Biden fired two top leaders in July.
Acquisition
DOD could face $4 billion in pandemic reimbursement payments for contractors
According to a GAO report, the Defense Department may have $4 billion in eligible reimbursements for contractors under the CARES Act.
Cybersecurity
TSA ramps up fuel pipeline cyber strategy
At a Senate hearing, the TSA administrator updated lawmakers on the implementation of two recent cybersecurity directives issued in the wake of the ransomware attack on Colonial Pipeline.
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