Author Archive
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
DHA preps for MHS Genesis follow-on contract
The Defense Health Agency is conducting market research on a sustainment contract for the military's $5.5 billion electronic health records program.
Cybersecurity
Watchdog dings Energy Dept over cloud security
The agency's inspector general identified multiple security risks in the way Energy Department components authorize and use cloud computing applications.
Acquisition
VA, Oracle are negotiating a five-year option on troubled health record software contract
Technology problems are being compounded by policy disputes over configuration of the new electronic health record between the Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense.
IT Modernization
VA delays health record go-live at key Michigan site
The Ann Arbor, Mich., site was set to be the first Level 1 facility to host the new Oracle Cerner health record in June.
IT Modernization
Cantwell presses FAA for NOTAM redundancy plan
The Commerce Committee chairwoman wants more details on how the FAA plans to manage a key database that suffered a nationwide outage last month.
Digital Government
EPA's high-tech plane monitored toxic event site in Ohio
The rarely used sensor aircraft is said to be ready to deploy on a moment's notice.
People
Announcing the 2023 Federal 100
Meet the 100 outstanding individuals being honored for going above and beyond in support of federal IT over the past year.
IT Modernization