Defense
More reality checks could help keep DOD programs on time and on budget, GAO says
The Pentagon has long espoused “knowledge-based acquisition,” but doesn’t insist on it.
Digital Government
More Reality Checks Could Help Keep DOD Programs on Time and Budget, GAO Says
The Pentagon has long espoused “knowledge-based acquisition,” but doesn’t insist on it.
Artificial Intelligence
‘Jurassic World’ Scientists Still Haven’t Learned That Just Because You Can Doesn’t Mean You Should – Real-World Genetic Engineers Can Learn From the Cautionary Tale
Genetic manipulation poses numerous ethical questions.
Modernization
Senators Call on Biden to Prioritize Procuring Tech, Staff for Large Scale Declassification
Officials at the National Archives say agencies could be using artificial intelligence to more efficiently process a tremendous backlog of appeals.
Emerging Tech
Lawmakers Want to Know How Much Bad Software Costs DOD
When the House Armed Services Committee begins its markup process of the annual defense authorization bill on June 8, look out for a provision asking the Pentagon to account for wasted money and lost productivity caused by poorly performing software.
Digital Government
Why Are so Many Big Tech Whistleblowers Women? Here Is What the Research Shows
Frances Haugen, Timnit Gebru and Janneke Parrish are at the forefront of a group of high-profile women calling out big tech. Is there a connection between their gender and their role as whistleblowers?
Digital Government
Data Gap Poses Risks for Launch Site of VA’s New Health Record
The commercial electronic health record system being introduced by the Department of Veterans Affairs is proving difficult and expensive to adapt to the agency’s data reporting requirements.
Modernization
GAO: Federal Broadband Efforts ‘Fragmented, Overlapping’
The watchdog recommends synchronizing federal broadband efforts.
Emerging Tech
Lawmakers Debate Government Sanctioned Digital Currency
Fed Board of Governors Vice Chair Lael Brainard said stablecoins could work with CBDCs, but focus will shift to research and cybersecurity protections.
Modernization
$756M still left in TMF, but not for long
The administration plans to exhaust the $1 billion addition to the Technology Modernization Fund made under last year’s American Rescue Plan Act by the end of the current fiscal year.
Digital Government
$756M Still Left in TMF, But Not For Long
The administration plans to exhaust the $1 billion addition to the Technology Modernization Fund made under last year’s American Rescue Plan Act by the end of the current fiscal year.
Cybersecurity
Senate Homeland Clears Bill to Avoid Conflicts of Interest in Federal Contracting
A hearing the committee held leading up to the bill’s markup focused on a shortage of procurement officials in the federal workforce, which an industry witness said could be addressed if it weren’t for inflexible ethics rules.
Cybersecurity
Senate Report Highlights Lack of Government Data on Ransomware Payments
A new report details the role cryptocurrencies play in incentivizing ransomware attacks and the government’s response.
Digital Government
Senior GOP Senator Asked Watchdog to Report After ‘Whistleblower’ Action at IRS
The request of the watchdog agency followed the release of confidential information leading to a detailed news report of how the mega rich avoid paying taxes.
Digital Government
Nuclear Agency Needs to Improve Evaluation of Research Portfolio
The National Nuclear Security Administration is otherwise following leading practices for managing federal research and development funding.
Defense
DOD isn't meeting some of the cybersecurity standards it set for contractors
A recent Government Accountability Office report highlighted that the Defense Department wasn't meeting all of the requirements it sets for contractors when it comes to protecting sensitive, unclassified information.
Cybersecurity
National Cyber Director's Vision for the Future Flags Overdue National Plan
The office of the national cyber director is tasked by Congress to weigh in on agencies’ cybersecurity budgets.
Cybersecurity
GAO: Defense Department Isn’t Doing Enough to Protect Sensitive Information
Federal cybersecurity has been on the Government Accountability Office’s High Risk list since 1997.
Emerging Tech
NIST Report Documents Success In Commerce’s Technology Transfer Initiative
A new report showcases how three federal agencies submitted technology research—like patents and papers—that can have a mainstream impact.
Digital Government