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.
Policy
Report: 6 Keys for Successful Government Crisis Contact Centers
When natural disasters or emergencies arise, federal agencies must be able to respond effectively to public inquiry, and technology is key.
- By Frank Konkel
Emerging Tech
Biofuel Tech Gets $118 Million Funding Boost from Energy Department
The funding will be spread across 17 projects.
- By Frank Konkel
CXO Briefing
Survey: CIOs Feel Elevated, Consider Themselves ‘Changemakers’
The survey found more than 3 in 4 chief information officers believe their roles have been elevated in response to recent economic times.
- By Frank Konkel
News
Space Development Agency Satellite Network Gets Name Change
Its mission will not change, however.
- By Frank Konkel
Emerging Tech
DHS Awards $1.1M to Federal Labs in Contracts Seeking ‘Groundbreaking’ Tech
The funding stems from the Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology directorate.
- By Frank Konkel
CXO Briefing
Lawmakers Intro Bill to Ban TikTok in U.S.
TikTok poses a national security threat, according to lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle.
- By Frank Konkel
News
Pentagon: $9B Cloud Contract Gives Us ‘Leg Up’ on China, Adversaries
Defense officials explained the importance the department is placing on the Joint Warfighting Cloud Capability contract.
- By Frank Konkel
CXO Briefing
Pentagon Awards $9B Cloud Contract to Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Oracle
The Pentagon has awarded its JEDI cloud contract replacement.
- By Frank Konkel
CXO Briefing
Ukraine Tech Chief: Cloud Migration ‘Saved Ukrainian Government and Economy’
“Russian missiles can’t destroy the cloud,” Ukraine’s minister of digital transformation explained.
- By Frank Konkel
News
Energy Sets Aside $550 Million for State and Local Clean Energy Efforts
The money is available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
- By Frank Konkel
Emerging Tech
Survey: 1 in 3 Americans Considering Swapping Gas Vehicle for Electric Model
Men were more likely than women to want to switch to electric vehicles.
- By Frank Konkel
Emerging Tech
Energy Announces $74 Million to Strengthen Advanced Battery Manufacturing
The funding will come from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
- By Frank Konkel
Policy
The Only Certainty in Next Split Congress is Uncertainty, Experts Say
A uniquely divided Congress has few historical precedents.
- By Frank Konkel
IT Modernization
5 Tips from Practitioners to Improve Government Customer Experience
Good customer experience doesn’t happen by accident.
- By Frank Konkel
News
What a Divided Government Could Mean for Tech Policy
Here’s what a split Congress might mean for tech, cybersecurity and governance.
- By Frank Konkel, Mariam Baksh, Alexandra Kelley and Kirsten Errick
Emerging Tech
National Labs to Receive $1.5B Funding Boost
The resources will come from President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act.
- By Frank Konkel
News
Federal Contract Spending Decreases Again in Fiscal 2022
Defense spending dipped significantly in fiscal 2022, while civilian agencies spent slightly more on contracts compared to the previous year.
- By Frank Konkel
News
Bid Protests Decline for 4th Consecutive Year
Bid protests issued by federal agencies declined 12% in fiscal 2022.
- By Frank Konkel
Emerging Tech
Energy Awards $39 Million for Tech to Boost Clean Energy Transition
The funding will be dispersed across 16 projects in 12 states.
- By Frank Konkel
Emerging Tech
49% of Tech Pros Believe AI Poses ‘Existential Threat’ to Humanity, Per Report
Others believe artificial intelligence will be a necessary component of most major business strategies in the near future.
- By Frank Konkel