Modernization
Senate bill would extend full-time federal telework for duration of COVID emergency
The bill also would steer Technology Modernization Fund dollars to agency efforts to improve telework activities.
Modernization
Agencies Off-Pace to Switch to New Telecom Contract Before Cutoff Date, GAO Says
The latest FITARA scorecard showed what percentage of operations have moved off old infrastructure contracts—and the numbers aren’t good.
Modernization
VA Restarts Electronic Health Record Rollout
The initial deployment at a Spokane, Washington, medical center is now scheduled for October, while the new scheduling system will begin rolling out in August.
Digital Government
Senate Dems cast doubt on DOD watchdog pick
Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) said Jason Abend's nomination circumvented a vetting process set up by the 2008 Inspector General Reform Act.
Acquisition
Lawmakers push back on STARS shutoff date
Changes the GSA made to one of its most popular governmentwide small business set-aside acquisition vehicles draws congressional scrutiny.
People
Maloney holds on to seat
The chairwoman of the House Oversight and Reform Committee appears to have won her primary after six weeks of vote counting that was complicated by a proliferation of contested absentee ballots.
Modernization
5 Ways the FITARA Scorecard May Evolve
Ten scorecards later, lawmakers and experts are looking for new ways to update the metrics on which agencies are graded.
Digital Government
Lawmakers look to expand FITARA oversight
As agencies improve IT operations, lawmakers want to modernize FITARA scorecard categories.
Digital Government
CBP seeks more data on small packages
Customs and Border Protection modified tariff rules to get more data on small packages that can bring in bogus medical supplies.
Modernization
Most Agencies Are C-Students on 10th FITARA Scorecard
The latest FITARA scorecard marked a milestone since the first report in 2015—no agency received a D or an F grade. But fewer agencies improved grades this time around.
Modernization
SBA Spent $30M on Digital Service-Built App That Doesn't Work
The Small Business Administration’s Certify website—built by a team from the U.S. Digital Service—was doomed by poor oversight and failure to abide by federal IT policies, says inspector general.
Digital Government
No failures, but some declines in 10th round of agency FITARA grades
Although all two dozen agencies got passing grades on the latest Federal IT Acquisition Reform Act (FITARA) scorecard, some agencies had cybersecurity and reporting challenges.
Digital Government
GAO: More Than Half of COVID-19 Government Contracts Not Competitively Awarded
While some of that spending went through existing IDIQs, some $7.7 billion in new contracts were awarded “using the unusual and compelling urgency exception.”
People
Senior execs group pushes OPM re-org
As part of a plan to revitalize federal employment, the Senior Executives Association is looking to take the government's top human resources official out of the political fray with a 5- to 8-year appointment.
Acquisition
SBA defends data exposure response
The notification of companies whose data had been exposed by the Small Business Administration's effort to set up advanced electronic emergency loan portals was slowed by a contracting issue, the agency's deputy CIO told Congress.
People
OPM stonewalls probe of hiring practices, watchdog says
The Inspector General of the Office of Personnel Management says the agency is not cooperating with a look at potential civil service law violations.
Policy
Senate Panel Advances TikTok Ban for Feds, More Transparency on Agency Leaders
Top federal officials would see positions and salaries posted monthly.
People
Bill to modernize Plum Book clears Senate committee
The measure looks to require more frequent updates of the directory of political appointees.
Digital Government
Senate Voices Privacy Concerns Over Contact Tracing
Experts were gathered in front of the Senate Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Manufacturing, Trade, and Consumer Protection to testify on scams. But data privacy concerns bubbled over.
People