Author Archive
Frank Konkel
Executive Editor

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
The Government’s Paperwork Problem is Undermining Public Trust
An audit suggests agencies are doing a poor job of assessing the burden their information requests place on the public.
- By Frank Konkel
IT Modernization
Bidding Begins for Pentagon's Controversial $10 Billion War Cloud
Despite some industry clamor, the Defense Department will stick to a single cloud provider for its JEDI cloud contract.
- By Frank Konkel, Heather Kuldell and Jack Corrigan
Policy
White House Lays Groundwork for Improving Government Customer Experience
The Office of Management and Budget’s new Circular A-11 provides guidance to federal agencies in establishing customer experience frameworks.
- By Frank Konkel
Emerging Tech
Army Developing Simulated Missile Launchers to Improve Combat Training
The goal is to train pilots and other crew members on how to respond to shoulder-fired missiles and rocket launchers.
- By Frank Konkel
Cybersecurity
DHS Aims to Turn Mobile Devices into No Phishing Zones
The Homeland Security Department and 16 other agencies are upgrading their mobile device security.
- By Frank Konkel
Cybersecurity
DHS Looks to Improve Cyber Capabilities for Financial Services
The Homeland Security Department’s innovation unit is seeing how open-source technology can defend from emerging threats.
- By Frank Konkel
IT Modernization
GSA: Phase II Centers of Excellence Bids Will Begin in July
Officials from the General Services Administration and Agriculture Department met with industry about the next phase of IT modernization efforts.
- By Frank Konkel
CIO Briefing
Congress Questions Trump's ZTE Deal
Plus the other goodies tucked into the National Defense Authorization Act federal employees need to know.
- By Joseph Marks, Frank Konkel and Heather Kuldell
IT Modernization
GAO Rules Against Pentagon's Experimental $950 Million Cloud Deal
The Government Accountability Office recommended the Defense Department terminate a contract awarded to REAN Cloud in February.
- By Frank Konkel and Heather Kuldell
IT Modernization
VA Signs $10 Billion Health Records Contract With Cerner
VA will formally pursue the same health records platform as the Pentagon.
- By Frank Konkel and Heather Kuldell
IT Modernization
Initial Tests Find Defense Department’s MHS Genesis ‘Not Operationally Suitable’
The test director recommends delaying further fieldings.
- By Frank Konkel and Heather Kuldell
CIO Briefing
Marketing Your Mission and Other Ideas to Help Agencies Attract Young Talent
The administration wants more young people in its government ranks, especially in tech.
- By Frank Konkel
IT Modernization
With No Permanent Leadership, VA Forges Ahead on $16 Billion Health Records Effort
The Veterans Affairs Department will press on with its electronic health records contract without a permanent secretary or chief information officer.
- By Frank Konkel
IT Modernization
JEDI Will Be Just One of Many Clouds, Says Pentagon’s No. 2
The giant and groundbreaking IT contract may cover just a fraction of the cloud-services orders to come.
- By Frank Konkel and Marcus Weisgerber
IT Modernization
IRS’ 60-Year-Old IT System Failed on Tax Day Due to New Hardware
Congress and watchdogs have been warning the IRS to upgrade its systems for years.
- By Frank Konkel and Aaron Boyd
Policy
House Armed Services Chair Wants to Cut DISA and Number of Defense CIOs
Draft legislation from Rep. Mac Thornberry would eliminate several Defense agencies, including DISA.
- By Frank Konkel
CIO Briefing
Bill Would Create Federal Customer Service Standards
And once set, it would bake them into agency performance plans.
- By Frank Konkel
CIO Briefing
General Dynamics Completes CSRA Buy
General Dynamics finalized its acquisition of IT contractor CSRA for $9.7 billion.
- By Frank Konkel
Emerging Tech
Is Amazon The Lone Frontrunner For A $10 Billion Pentagon Cloud Contract?
Amazon Web Services may be the only vendor capable of meeting Defense Department requirements for its highly-anticipated cloud contract.
- By Frank Konkel
CIO Briefing
Bidding War Over? CACI Withdraws Offer To Buy CSRA
CACI withdrew its $7.2 billion offer to purchase IT contractor CSRA.
- By Frank Konkel