Author Archive
Frank Konkel
Executive Editor, Nextgov

Frank Konkel is Nextgov’s executive editor. He writes about the intersection of government and technology. Frank began covering tech in 2013 upon moving to the Washington, D.C., area after getting his start in journalism working at local and state issues at daily newspapers in his home state of Michigan. Frank was born and raised on a dairy farm and graduated from Michigan State University.
CIO Briefing
Biden Appoints Acting Chairs at FCC, FTC
The appointments position the regulatory agencies to take a more aggressive stance against the tech industry.
- By Frank Konkel
CIO Briefing
Buttigieg Points to Transportation’s ‘Generational Moment’ in Confirmation Hearing
Pete Buttigieg’s addressed challenges and tech issues before senators Thursday.
- By Frank Konkel
CIO Briefing
Biden to Elevate Top Science Adviser
The Biden-Harris administration announced a slew of new science- and cybersecurity-related appointments over the weekend.
- By Frank Konkel
IT Modernization
Indian Health Service Seeks Input on Modernization Plan
The agency’s current IT work is guided by a strategic planning document that dates back to 2016.
- By Frank Konkel
CIO Briefing
NGA Launches Workforce Pilot for Neurodiverse Individuals
The intelligence agency kicked off the program in December.
- By Frank Konkel
CIO Briefing
FBI Opens 160 Cases on Capitol Riot with More Expected
The bureau is combing through more than 100,000 pieces of digital media and expects to open more cases for a range of crimes including murder, sedition and theft of national security information.
- By Frank Konkel
Cybersecurity
Lawmakers Criticize State Department’s ‘Misguided Cyberspace Reorganization’
A bipartisan group of four lawmakers said the State Department’s proposed realignment would only serve to reinforce existing silos.
- By Frank Konkel
CIO Briefing
What Democratic Control of Government Could Mean for Biden’s Tech Policies
Though the margins are tight, the incoming president may nominate more progressive candidates for certain positions, experts say.
- By Frank Konkel
Cybersecurity
State Department Approves Creation of Cyber Bureau
The Cyberspace Security and Emerging Technologies Bureau will address national security- and diplomatic-related tech issues.
- By Frank Konkel
IT Modernization
IT Panel Makes Recommendations for Social Security’s Tech Modernization
The recommendations come as the Social Security Administration embarks on a years-long IT modernization.
- By Frank Konkel
IT Modernization
House Passes Bill to Codify and Revamp FedRAMP
The bill would provide $20 million in annual appropriations for the federal cloud security program.
- By Frank Konkel
CIO Briefing
GAO: Bid Protests Down 2% in 2020
For a second straight year, the Government Accountability Office dealt with fewer bid protests.
- By Frank Konkel
Policy
The Federal CX Moves that Mattered in 2020
Experts expect momentum in improving service delivery and customer experience to continue under the coming Biden administration.
- By Frank Konkel
CIO Briefing
Biden Reveals White House Digital Team
The team will be in charge of communicating with Americans once Biden takes office on Jan. 20.
- By Frank Konkel
IT Modernization
Defense, Intelligence Agencies Made Major Moves in Cloud in 2020
After bid protests and litigation, some of the largest cloud contracts the government has attempted can get underway.
- By Frank Konkel
IT Modernization
Veterans Affairs Publishes Employee Experience Journey Map
Agency officials believe positive employee experiences translate to improved service delivery to its veterans.
- By Frank Konkel
CIO Briefing
VA to Begin COVID-19 Vaccinations at 128 More Sites
The Veterans Affairs Secretary said the approval of a second vaccine allows the department to inoculate more health care providers and veterans.
- By Frank Konkel
CIO Briefing
Tech Industry Group Recommends Biden Admin Reimagine How Government Does IT
The Alliance for Digital Innovation unveiled a series of legislative and policy proposals for President-elect Joe Biden to consider.
- By Frank Konkel
Cybersecurity
House Committees Launch Investigation into Alleged Russian Hack of Federal Agencies
President-elect Joe Biden also promised to elevate cybersecurity “as an imperative” across government.
- By Frank Konkel
IT Modernization
Amazon, Pentagon Resume JEDI Legal Arguments
Amazon Web Services asks the judge to toss out the contract award while Defense Department lawyers call the company’s protest a “prohibited strategic gambit.”
- By Frank Konkel