Acquisition
How budget sequestration affected contracting
Defense agency contract obligations for IT and telecom services dipped over the last five years under the Budget Control Act, even as civilian side obligations held steady.
Cybersecurity
DHS wants a look at anti-drone tech
DHS' Science and Technology directorate invites counter-drone technology companies to show off their capabilities, while military commanders warn about unauthorized drones near military bases.
Digital Government
Former 18F director joins cBrain
The former head of the General Services Administration's 18F innovation shop has joined service founder Greg Godbout at the digital government firm cBrain.
Modernization
Shared service gets some blame for HUD's financial woes
The department's struggles with shared services contributed to restatement of financial data, according to HUD's inspector general.
Acquisition
Senate votes to repeal 'blacklisting' rule
In a close vote, the Senate passed a resolution to eliminate the so-called blacklisting rule for federal contractors.
Cybersecurity
New immigration order pushes biometrics but lacks deadline
President Trump's revised executive order on immigration calls for an expedited biometric entry/exit system, but it doesn't set a deadline for bringing the system online.
Modernization
SDN looms large in NSTAC report
A report under development by a government advisory board says the government must move quickly to better understand software-defined networking's effect on critical infrastructure.
Cybersecurity
Grant program would support state, local cybersecurity
A bipartisan group of lawmakers is looking to help state, local and tribal governments protect their data, systems and networks.
Cybersecurity
NIST gets new cyber powers under House bill
A House panel approved legislation that would add new cybersecurity auditing and reporting duties to the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the White House science office.
People
Will deep budget cuts alter federal buying strategies?
Federal agency officials are optimistic that efforts to optimize spending across government will continue, but some experts say deep agency cuts could short circuit some IT spending.
Cybersecurity
Why FEMA needs a new administrator, now
Former FEMA Administer Craig Fugate and House Homeland Security subcommittee leadership call for new emergency manager for the agency as soon as possible.
Cybersecurity
Too soon to tell if CBP biometric systems can scale
DHS efforts to develop entry/exit systems that capture travelers’ biometric data are making progress, a GAO report finds, but full implementation is far from simple.
Digital Government
Oak Ridge director to step down
The longtime director of Oak Ridge National Laboratory will leave this summer to take an executive position at the firm that helps run the lab.
Modernization
Close calls with unmanned aircraft increase
The number of close encounters between civilian aircraft and unmanned drones in national airspace is on the rise, the FAA reports.
Digital Government
More states say DHS scanned election systems
Reports from two more states say their election systems were scanned without authorization by DHS during election season.
Cybersecurity
Border drones and aerostats need better coordination
Although Customs and Border Protection coordinates its airborne border surveillance aircraft with other agencies, it needs to refine some specifics, according to a GAO report.
Cybersecurity
States balk at election system move by DHS
A group of state officials formally opposed the DHS critical infrastructure designation for election systems and want it rescinded.
Digital Government
GSA watchdog barks at 18F on shadow IT
Innovation shop 18F is playing by its own rules, according to the General Services Administration's inspector general.
Modernization