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
The Art of (Big Tech) War
The uncomfortable truth is the government is the underdog in this fight.
Cybersecurity
Space Firms Put Aside Rivalries to Share Threat Data
A new clearinghouse has begun gathering and distributing information about threats to space networks, products, and services.
Modernization
GSA Drops 5 Vendors, Adds 9 to $5.5B 2GIT Contract
The IT hardware and software contract vehicle was built with the Air Force in mind but will be available to all federal buyers.
Ideas
How China’s Digital Silk Road Is Leading Countries Away from the United States
Beijing is using technology products, markets, and training to secure influence with U.S. security partners, a IISS report finds.
Cybersecurity
Hacking Campaign Fuels Calls for Information Sharing Mandate
Senators weigh potential protections from liability for incident reports amid concerns about cyber hygiene.
Digital Government
Microsoft President Calls for Bid Protest Reforms
As the company awaits a decision on the embattled JEDI contract, its president told senators the contract-dispute process could use streamlining.
Emerging Tech
NASA Releases First Sounds Recorded on Mars’ Surface
The audio was collected via the Perseverance rover.
Digital Government
GSA to Verify Identities of Some SAM Users After Transition
The agency will require identity proofing for SAM registrants after the big migration to beta.SAM.gov in May.
Artificial Intelligence
Investments in Emerging Tech Will Become More Important As Defense Budgets Flatten, Northrop Grumman Chief Says
The defense contractor’s president and CEO also said she expects consolidation in the defense industrial base to continue.
Digital Government