Author Archive
Modernization
VA deploys new EHR at 4 additional medical facilities
The latest round of go-lives comes as the Department of Veterans Affairs looks to speed up deployments of its new electronic health record system as part of an accelerated rollout schedule.
People
VA CIO nominee vows to create program management office
Gary Shatswell, President Donald Trump’s pick to helm VA’s IT operations, told lawmakers creating the office is “one of the first tasks that I will be going after” if confirmed to the role.
Policy
Tech bills of the week: Regulating DOD uses of AI; Protecting the work of digital creators; and more
Legislative measures introduced this week touched on enhancing the tech fluency of the U.S. Foreign Service, offering legal recourse for recipients of illicit images and modernizing VA’s identity proofing and authentication systems.
Policy
EPA’s research efforts are swayed by administration priorities, official says
The Environmental Protection Agency’s formerly independent research office was replaced last year by a new unit housed within the agency’s Office of the Administrator.
Modernization
EHR modernization needs better cyber and privacy collaboration, GAO says
The Federal Electronic Health Record Modernization office needs to improve its interagency coordination to address potential privacy and security vulnerabilities in the new system, according to the watchdog.
Artificial Intelligence
US opposes global AI standards but sees value coordinating on ‘real-world harms,’ State official says
The White House wants to shape global AI norms by maintaining and advancing the nation’s tech superiority, but sees “potential benefits” in collaborating with international partners on some issues.
Policy
Tech bills of the week: FY27 NDAA tech and cyber measures; modernizing FAA aircraft repair forms; and more
Although Congress was in recess this week, lawmakers still introduced several bills looking to expand the use of new technologies.
Cybersecurity
Commercial location data is being used to target US servicemembers, lawmakers warn
U.S. Central Command said it “has received multiple threat reports concerning adversary exploitation of commercial location data to target or surveil U.S. personnel in theater.”
Digital Government
GSA joins White House’s fraud prevention task force
The agency said it will support the unit’s efforts by identifying waste, fraud and abuse across government contracting programs.
Policy
Tech bills of the week: Mitigating risks to critical infrastructure; incentivizing domestic high-tech manufacturing; and more
Tech- and cyber-focused bills rolled out this week include measures to develop a biotech-savvy workforce, support state and local tech modernization efforts and better understand the cyber needs of small businesses.
Modernization
EHR restart was ‘phenomenal’ despite persistent challenges at initial sites, VA secretary says
Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins told lawmakers the department has rectified issues with its electronic health record modernization project moving forward and is “going to go back” and address problems at its initial deployment sites.
Featured eBooks
Acquisition
GSA inks latest OneGov agreement with Snowflake
Under the deal, federal agencies will potentially be eligible “for higher-tier discounts of up to 50% reduced consumption cost on compute, as overall usage increases.”
Acquisition
OneGov’s discounted deals are ‘a first step’ to longer-term contracts, officials say
The General Services Administration has asked some companies to re-up their temporary price cuts while it continues to talk with them about becoming direct contractors on its Multiple Award Schedule.
Artificial Intelligence
Nearly 3.4M users across government can use AI through OneGov, GSA official says
Birgit Smeltzer, director of GSA’s Office of IT Products, IT Category, said “more than 120 orders have been placed against OneGov’s AI offerings,” with savings achieved thus far totaling at least $1.15 billion.
Digital Government
White House withholds $1.3B in Medicaid payments to California amid broader fraud crackdown
Vice President JD Vance said the administration will audit states’ Medicaid Fraud Control Units and threatened to “turn off” federal funding for the watchdogs if their fraud prevention efforts are found to be deficient.
Artificial Intelligence
Lawmakers propose to establish AI guardrails for VA in FY27 funding
Reps. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., and James Walkinshaw, D-Va., are looking to address concerns about unregulated uses of artificial intelligence in separate amendments offered to the House Fiscal Year 2027 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Bill.
Policy
Tech bills of the week: Limiting data harvesting; AI for financial fraud prevention; and more
Although Congress was off this week, lawmakers still introduced several measures looking to examine the use of AI tools and protect mass gathering from malicious drone threats.
Artificial Intelligence
US tech official calls for ‘transformational’ use of AI in scientific discovery
Chief Technology Officer Ethan Klein said deploying AI agents across workflows will enhance scientific efficiency, which is particularly critical “because that underpins every one of these technologies that we're looking to develop.”
Cybersecurity
Trump admin will push for ‘long-term’ reauthorization of key cyber data-sharing law
The Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act got a temporary revival as part of a funding package last year, but it will expire again in September unless renewed.
Policy
Tech bills of the week: Codifying NAIRR; Protecting government employees’ data; and more
The tech bills introduced during the last week of April covered issues like codifying the Creating Resources for Every American to Experiment with Artificial Intelligence Act, requiring reporting for AI use in FISA operations and improving AI literacy at the K-12 level.
