Policy
Biden Orders Agencies to Buy More American-Made Products and Publicly Post Exemptions
The order seeks to close existing loopholes and creates a new oversight regime, including a GSA-hosted website to post waivers publicly.
Digital Government
As Secret Service Deploys to Federal Buildings, Employees Across the Country Are Warned to Stay Away
Security concerns in the run up to the inauguration have agencies taking special precautions.
Modernization
Trump Admin Names Fourth and Final Shared Services Lead
The Office of Management and Budget designated the Quality Service Management Office lead for grants administration.
Ideas
6 Lessons From 2020 Federal Leaders Should Apply in the Months to Come
As the embers of the dumpster fire that was 2020 burn away, important lessons provide light for the way forward in 2021.
Digital Government
The Tech Policies the Trump Administration Leaves Behind
Nextgov looks back at the Trump administration's major IT policy moves that will have lasting effects on federal technology for the foreseeable future.
Cybersecurity
Agency Cybersecurity Waivers Would Face New Time Limits, Oversight Under New Bill
The proposal would require approval from the Office of Management and Budget for skipping encryption and multifactor authentication.
Cybersecurity
OMB Confirms Appointment of Controversial New Federal CISO
Camilo Sandoval, a former acting CIO for the Veterans Affairs Department, was the director of the Trump campaign’s data operations in 2016.
Digital Government
Administration Adds 16 Months to Transition from DUNS to Unique ID
The General Services Administration will extend Dun & Bradstreet’s services while agencies get more time to patch and test systems.
Digital Government
OMB Official Says Evidence Act Implementation Guidance May Come in Early 2021
Two Office of Management and Budget officials discussed the guidance at the first meeting of the Advisory Committee on Data for Evidence Building.
Digital Government
OMB Behind Schedule on Open Data Initiatives, GAO Says
The Office of Management and Budget missed the deadline for issuing governmentwide guidance for complying with the OPEN Government Data Act and is behind on reporting on agencies’ progress.
Digital Government
Trump Administration Releases Draft Framework for the Ethical Use of Data
The draft Data Ethics Framework offers seven tenets for agencies to follow, complete with legal authorities, use cases and links to additional resources.
Modernization
Last Chance For Agencies To Weigh In On TBM Self-Assessment
The comment period is closing on the self-assessment framework that agencies will use to measure their compliance with the mandatory Technology Business Management accounting standard.
Digital Government
OMB Makes Major Changes to Agency Guidance on Customer Experience
The Office of Management and Budget updated its Circular A-11 guidance for agencies this month, including an expanded definition of customer experience itself.
Cybersecurity
Bipartisan Concerns Arise Over Cyber Director Legislation
Proponents say the new position would help balance and deconflict offensive and defensive operations.
Digital Government
SBA’s Maria Roat Officially Named Deputy Federal CIO
Roat will take over the federal government’s No. 2 IT leadership role.
Digital Government
One Year In, Administration Names First Lead Office In New Shared Services Regime
The Homeland Security Department is the first to designate a Quality Service Management Office to lead its shared services marketplace.
Digital Government
Governors, Mayor Implore Trump Administration Not to Send D.C.-Area Feds Back to the Office Prematurely
Acting too soon would endanger residents, they say.
Digital Government
White House Instructs Agencies to Begin Process of Returning Some Employees to Their Offices
Operations will remain abnormal for the coming months and will vary widely across the country.
Digital Government
Trump Administration Releases Guidance to Clarify Coronavirus Relief Act’s Contracting Provisions
Agencies can use CARES Act funds to reimburse contractors from March 27 to September 30, 2020.
Podcasts
Critical Update: How CISA Defines ‘Trust’ in the Trusted Internet Connection Policy
Nextgov offers a deep dive into TIC 3 and the purported conflict between CISA’s trust zones and zero-trust security.
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