Modernization
Court to Explore Whether Trump Administration Interfered in JEDI Cloud Contract
The Defense Department previously said lengthy litigation could bring the contract’s future into question.
Digital Government
Biden Signs Executive Order Requiring Federal Contractors to Pay a $15 Minimum Wage
White House says these employees are “critical” to the federal government’s operations.
Artificial Intelligence
General Motors Licenses Neural Network Tech from National Lab
The artificial intelligence-driven system can design thousands of networks in hours instead of years.
Artificial Intelligence
Study Shines a Light on Big Tech’s AI Investments
The study was based on research papers from Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google, IBM and Microsoft.
Artificial Intelligence
Free the Data: Vice Chiefs Launch an Acquisition Crusade
Better access to weapon data is crucial to faster Pentagon purchasing — and dangerous to industry business models.
Cybersecurity
DOD’s Cybersecurity Accreditation Partner Working to Address Conflict of Interest Issues
Multiple members of the Accreditation Body’s board of directors also serve as consultants in the cybersecurity space, which critics say gives them an unfair advantage to cash in on the program.
Emerging Tech
Human Rights Organizations Call for Corporate Ban on Facial Recognition Tech
The organizations called facial recognition "inherently discriminatory and dangerous."
Digital Government
Lawmakers Ask Biden to Secure Funding for Semiconductor Research and Production
Their request comes as technology companies endure a global chip shortage.
Emerging Tech
FCC to Consider Proposal Enabling Spectrum for Commercial Space Launches
Companies currently are approved on an ad-hoc basis to share the federal spectrum during specific operations.
Cybersecurity
DOD Concludes Review of First CMMC Certification Organization
The Accreditation Body in charge of the department’s developing certification program also has a notable new leader as others take their leave.
Emerging Tech
Microsoft to Produce Augmented Reality Headsets Under $21B Army Contract
The Army’s Integrated Visual Augmentation system headset is based on Microsoft’s HoloLens gaming device.
Digital Government
Gallup: Americans’ Anxiety About Energy Prices, Supply Sharply Rises
In the organization’s latest poll, 73% of those surveyed say they worry a “great deal/fair amount” about the availability and affordability of energy.
Ideas
Why Can't the IRS Just Send Americans a Refund – or a Bill?
At least 30 countries permit return-free filing, including Denmark, Sweden, Spain and the United Kingdom.
Emerging Tech
Watchdog Says Software Development Issues May Force F-35 Delay
The Government Accountability Office found the Defense Department’s current modernization schedule “is not rooted in reality.”
Modernization
DISA’s Infrastructure as Code Partnerships Aim to Speed Up Defense Cloud Adoption
Microsoft and Amazon Web Services are working to create preconfigured templates for defense agencies.
Emerging Tech
DARPA Announces Microelectronics Program to Boost Domestic Manufacturing of Certain Chips
The research agency will partner with Intel and three university teams to boost domestic manufacturing of custom chips.
Emerging Tech
IBM Announces Cloud Marketplace For Secure Chip Design
The marketplace was built as part of a recent Defense Department initiative aimed at advancing microelectronics technologies.
Digital Government
Senate COVID Package Includes Extension of Leave Reimbursement for Contractors
Industry groups applaud the move, led by a bipartisan pair of senators.
Ideas
It’s Time for a Cybersecurity Quid Pro Quo
Require companies to disclose breaches to the government in exchange for legal liability limitations.
Ideas