Digital Government
GAO Highlights Problems with Speeding Disaster Help to Disadvantaged Areas
Disaster response is uneven across the country.
Cybersecurity
FDIC to Strengthen IT Security Following IG Audit
An audit found notable weaknesses within the FDIC’s information security processes.
Modernization
GAO Sides With Microsoft in Massive NSA Contract Protest
NSA awarded the contract to Amazon Web Services in July.
People
DOD looks to civilian workforce to close technology gaps
The Defense Department has been increasingly looking to recruit civilians to fill its tech talent needs, but some lawmakers are concerned that the mission of uniformed troops could suffer.
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
IGs look to expand investigative authority
Agency watchdogs told lawmakers that they would like authority to subpoena former federal employees, contractors and other non-governmental witnesses to give testimony in IG probes.
Modernization
Lawmakers seek probe of veterans' records requests backlog
The National Personnel Records Center is facing a backlog of 550,000 requests that built up over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Emerging Tech
GAO Study Stresses Need for Steady Funding of Quantum Tech
A report highlights the risks and benefits of federal investment in quantum computing and other technologies, but stresses collaboration and steady funding.
People
FLRA faces backlogs, staffing woes
The agency has been without a general counsel for years, leaving it unable to resolve charges of unfair labor practices, but the Senate is poised to confirm new leadership.
Digital Government
Army Delays IVAS Display Headset by a Year
Officials cited problems with the unusually wide field of view.
Digital Government
After Having Their Computers Monitored, Employees Blast SSA Watchdog
Employee group pledges to bring its complaints to the White House and Congress.
Modernization
Audit: Labor Department IT Governance ‘Ambiguous,’ Unorganized
A report from the Office of the Inspector General showcases several weaknesses in the agency’s IT governance, particularly highlighting the lack of CIO oversight.
Modernization
IRS’ New Digital Case Management System Failed to Meet Early Expectations
The first releases did not include functionality end-users were expecting and failed to meet Section 508 accessibility standards.
People
TSA head says more union rights coming to airport screeners
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle want the agency to resolve longstanding compensation issues for the frontline Transportation Security Administration workforce.
Digital Government
Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Buddies Tried to Get the VA to Sell Access to Veterans’ Medical Records
While previous reporting showed the trio had a hand in budgeting and contracting, their interest in turning patient data into a revenue stream was not previously known.
Modernization
Federal CIO tees up 7 new TMF awards
The awards, the first since TMF's $1 billion plus-up in the American Rescue Plan Act, are expected to be made public soon.
Cybersecurity
Audit: IRS Needs to Improve How It Wipes Taxpayer Data from Devices
Computer and laptop hard drives that aren’t properly scrubbed could allow exposure of private taxpayer data.
Emerging Tech
House NDAA Includes Permanent UFO-Studying Office Within Pentagon
If the legislation clears the Senate as is, the new office would investigate military reports of unexplained incidents—and whether they’re linked to foreign threats.
Emerging Tech
EPA’s New Telecom Contract Will Ensure Every Employee Can Telework
The agency has yet to pick a vendor off the Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions contract but has built-in key modernization goals for remote work, according to the inspector general.
Cybersecurity