Author Archive
Digital Government
Caller ID woes contributed to SSA disability backlog
Disability determinations at the Social Security Administration slowed during the worst days of the pandemic, and a hitch in a mobile device service played a part.
People
Will Hurd, former GOP lawmaker with tech expertise, announces White House bid
The three-term Texas congressman was the lead sponsor of the law that created the Technology Modernization Fund.
Digital Government
House panel zeros out TMF funding for 2024 fiscal year
House appropriators want to eliminate new funding for the Technology Modernization Fund, which is still flush with cash thanks to a pandemic-era special spending bill.
Congress
Bipartisan bill proposes blue-ribbon panel to address AI risks, regulations
Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Calif., is leading the effort to give Congress the expertise it needs to understand and possibly regulate the risks posed by artificial intelligence.
Congress
Hassan, Cornyn try again with IT modernization bill
The bipartisan duo are looking to prod agencies to ditch legacy systems.
People
Former DHS top buyer joins trade group to lead revived knowledge hub
Soraya Correa will lead the Contract Management Institute at the National Contract Management Association.
Cybersecurity
Spy agencies acquire commercial data with little coordination and few controls
The purchase of sensitive commercial data that is potentially traceable to individual Americans could be subject to new restrictions, according to a newly declassified report from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
Cybersecurity
Lawmakers want to expand USDA's Circuit Rider program to cover cyber
A new bill would allow small water utilities to obtain funds for cybersecurity consults.
Congress
Does Congress need a chief data officer?
A new joint resolution would establish a bipartisan commission to look at what legislators need in terms of data, evidence and professional capacity.
Congress
Bill to cut software costs advances in Senate
A Senate committee voted unanimously on Wednesday to approve a bill designed to help agencies get a handle on software licensing with an eye to cutting costs.
Digital Government
IRS will test government-run free file system in 2024
The move could presage the large-scale deployment of free, government-furnished online tax prep services.
IT Modernization
VA puts Oracle Cerner on a short leash in $10B health records contract
The agency extended the contract for its EHR provider by one year, and put performance conditions in place.
IT Modernization
Lawmakers tackle VA pharmacy tech woes at hearing
The new commercial health record in use at five sites requires time-consuming workarounds that are taxing resources and depleting morale.
Acquisition
GSA tools flag diverse suppliers for procurement officials
Two new online tools give agency buyers a look at diverse vendors and reports on access by new entrants to the federal market.
Digital Government
OPM tests chatbot for retirement services
The retirement services chatbot is designed to answer easy questions to free up call center resources for more complex inquiries.
Defense
Army looks to bring $22B headset program into production in 2025
After years of delays and program adjustments, the Army has a new time frame for rolling out its augmented reality headset to troops.
Congress
DHS R&D arm to drive climate change response under new bill
The Science and Technology Directorate would take a leading role in climate change resilience research under a new bill.
Congress
VA's health record 'reset' has budget fallout
Secretary Denis McDonough told Senate appropriators on Wednesday that the "reset" of the massive electronic health record replacement project likely means tweaks to the agency's budget request.
IT Modernization
Accelerated FAA modernization will suffer under stopgap funding, says agency head
A full year continuing resolution would hamper needed tech upgrades, according to the FAA's top official.
Acquisition