Digital News Coverage of Government Contracting and Federal Policy Landscape
2016 > May
Army Gen. Vincent Brooks Becomes US Forces Korea Commander
HASC OKs Purchase of 18 RD-180 Rocket Engines As Amendment to 2017 NDAA
Maj. Gen. John Wharton: Army Hosts Summit to Promote Innovation
Bureau of Engraving & Printing Looks for New Currency Technology Officer
NASA to Fund 27 Medical Research Proposals for Long-Duration Human Space Exploration
Jonathan Woodson Retires From DoD Health Assistant Secretary, MHS Leadership Roles
AT&T’s Christopher Boyer to Chair NIST Information Security Board
Reps. Steve Chabot, Nydia Velazquez Ask GSA for Updates on Small Business Contracting Efforts
OMB Asks Federal Agencies to Prepare Program Cost Estimates for Next US President
Senate Bill Seeks to Remove 223 Duplicative, Obsolete Agency Reports
Michael Watkins Appointed as New NASA JPL Director; Charles Bolden Comments
NTIA Unveils Toolkit to Help Communities Develop Broadband Roadmap
Chuck Elmore: Air Force’s Investigative Org Aims to Migrate Entire Network to AFNet
Treasury Releases Federal Spending Data Reporting Standards
Richard Kidd: Climate Change-Induced Floods, Heat Affect Army Training
White House to Ask FAA to Oversee Asteroid Mining, Lunar Surface Missions; George Nield Comments
Marines Complete MV-22B Osprey/F-35B Ground Refueling Test; Adam Geitner Comments
Navy Extends USS Truman’s Presence in Arabian Gulf
Federal Times: GSA to Handle All Health IT Contracts for DHA
Labor Dept Refreshes Employment Services Website for Veterans
GSA’s 18F Hub Unveils New Contract Forecasting Tool
GSA Aims to Support Agencies’ Tech Modernization Efforts Via New Service Line
Mary Miller Named DoD Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Research, Engineering
DoD News: Robert Work Talks Defense Cooperation, Russian Activities With Nordic, Baltic Countries
Army Commences Network Integration Evaluation to Test Updated Tactical Comms Equipment
Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti Takes Helm of US European Command
Douglas Maughan: DHS Seeks to Educate Tech Firms on Federal Demand
Kayla Williams Joins VA as Women Veterans Center Director; Robert McDonald Comments
NASA Goddard Scientists Develop CubeSat Thermal Control Tech
FedScoop: DARPA Director Arati Prabhakar Discusses AI Advancement, Limitations
Paul Beckman: DHS Seeks to Expand Bonus Schemes to Hire, Retain Cyber Professionals
Ashton Carter: US Eyes Increased Force in Poland, Baltic States
FTC-Lockheed Identity Theft Recovery Website Gets ACT-IAC Award; Scott Gray Comments
Boeing Simulators Aid in Launch, Flight & Returns Training of NASA Astronauts
Frank Konieczny: Air Force Looks to Integrate iPads on DoD Classified Network
Ed Felten: White House to Hold Workshops on Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning
DHS S&T Program to Explore Emerging Tech for Urban First Responders
NASA Prepares for Solar Probe, Deep Space Missions With Simulation Chamber
Breaking Defense: Ashton Carter, Anti-Islamic State Coalition Meet After Attack on Peshmerga
Gen. Ellen Pawlikowski: Air Force to Form Strategic Devt Planning Team to Support Third Offset Strategy
FAA’s Michael Huerta Unveils New Drone Advisory Committee, Schools’ Exemption on UAS Flights
James Clapper: Islamic State Group Capable of Paris-Like Attack in US
NIST Issues 2nd Draft of Systems Security Engineering Framework; Ron Ross Comments
Rupert Warner: Supplier Diversity Helps USPS Leverage Public, Private Services
Shaun Donovan: New OMB Officer to Draft Policy on Administrative Shared Services
CBO: HASC’s Fiscal 2017 Defense Bill to Lower DoD Spending Over 10 Years
Govt, Commercial IT Pros Urge Small Businesses to Invest in Cybersecurity Programs
Israel, Four Non NATO Nations Get Approval to Open Diplomatic Missions in Brussels; Oded Eran Comments
NASA Schedules Two Rocket Missions to Research Coronal Nanoflares, Atoms
Army Scientists Synthesize New Propulsion, Lethality Material; Jesse Sabatini Comments
GAO Health IT Policy Committee Adds 3 New Members; Gene Dodaro Comments
Army Cyber Blitz Exercise Seeks to Help Soldiers Respond to EM Spectrum, Cyber Threats
Army Corps of Engineers, Maldives Govt Map Laamu Atoll Environmental Sensitivity
White House Report Examines Big Data Approaches to Foster Equal Opportunity, Fairness
Nextgov: DARPA Program Aims to Characterize Cyber Criminals, Forecast Attacks
Naval Research Lab Concludes Arctic Sea-Ice Characterization Research Project; Joan Gardner Comments
John Hale: Commercial Providers Will Operate DISA’s Next milCloud Iteration on DoD Property
NASA, ISS Partners Unveil 2017 Astronaut Crew Members
DOE Plans $90M Investment to Support Biorefinery Construction Projects; Lynn Orr Comments
US Army Active Force Size Declined 16K in 2015
Maj. Gen. Brian Lein to Lead Army Medical Corps, Department & School
Beth Cobert: OPM Prioritizes Federal Workforce Development as Administration Nears End
FCW: State Dept Holds Global Cyber Training Course for Foreign Service Officers
DHS to Subject NYC Subway System to Airborne Particle Behavior Study; Donald Bansleben, Thomas Prendergast Comment
Raquel Bono: DHA Eyes Increased Patient Satisfaction Through Military Healthcare Transformation Efforts
DoD’s Marcel Lettre Calls for Integration Among Intell Agencies, Innovation With Industry
Maj. Gen. Clayton Hutmacher: Army Special Ops Command Wants Runway Independent UAS
Shaun Donovan: Climate Change Puts World Security & Economies at Risk
CBO: US Posts $109B Budget Surplus in April
Senate Bill Aims to Define ‘Acts of War’ in Cyberspace
Socom Chief Raymond Thomas: Transregional Network Key in Anti-Terrorist Campaign
Gen. John Hyten Outlines Air Force Space Command’s New Priorities
Hill AFB Commences Four-Ship Combat Training Missions With F-35s
Ashton Carter: Cooperative Threat Reduction Program Continues Through DTRA
Navy, Tracen Technologies Unveil 2 Mobile Apps to Assist Mandatory Sailor Training
Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Limit LPTA Use in Defense Acquisitions
Army Reserve ‘Warrior Exercise’ Aims to Train Military Police on Battlefield Support, Detainee Missions
FDIC Plans New Security Measures After Retroactive Data Breach Report
DISA Launches Cyber Review Framework for DoD Information Network Infrastructure
White House Event Highlights Agencies’ Efforts to Help Build Resilient Communities
Arizona National Guard Launches Wildfire Response Training and Certification Course
NASA Confirms 1,284 New Planets From Kepler Mission
Report: Frank Kendall Drops Push for Defense M&A Oversight Legislation
HHS Seeks Partners to Aid the Dev’t of Health Information Sharing Standards
Blair Anderson Nominated for Transportation Dept Policy Undersecretary Post
ImmixGroup’s Lloyd McCoy: DoD’s FY 2017 Budget Request Seeks to Deploy Commercial EHR System by 2022
FCC Task Force to Develop 911 Planning Framework for IP-Based Platform Shift
CBO Unveils Online Search Tool for Intergovernmental, Industry Mandates Under UMRA
House Appropriations Committee’s FY 2017 Defense Policy Bill to Authorize $517B in Discretionary Funds
NOAA Updates Global Forecast System to Process 4-D Weather Data, Provide Hourly Updates; Louis Uccellini Comments
Ashton Carter: DoD to Establish New Defense Innovation Outpost in Boston
NIH Selects UW-Madison’s Patricia Brennan as Director of National Library of Medicine
Sylvia Burwell: HHS Challenge to Help Develop New Medical Bill Design
Federal News Radio: DHS Updates Information Network’s Identity Mgmt System
OpenTheBooks: DoD Has Transferred $2B in Surplus Military Gear to Local Police Depts Since 2006
Education Dept Seeks New Deputy CIO
US Army Begins Test for Sense-and-Avoid Radar System; John Innes Comments
DoD News: Bob Work Visits Romania for Ballistic Missile Defense Site Launch
Arati Prabhakar: DARPA Holds Demo Day for Partners to Share Science, Tech Initiatives
Sue Gordon: NGA Forms Team to Help Agency Establish Silicon Valley Partnerships
Michael Overstreet: DoD Looks to Update Enforcement Strategies on Network Segmentation
CBO: Intell Authorization Bill’s Unclassified Provisions Would Cost $521M Through Fiscal 2021
CBO: HASC’s FY 2017 Defense Authorization Bill to Reduce DoD Direct Spending by $206M Over 10 Years
Ashton Carter: DoD Should Adopt New Innovation Practices to Stay Ahead of Threats
Arati Prabhakar Describes Microphysiological Systems, CommEX Programs at DARPA Demo Day
Rear Adm. John Neagley Assumes LCS PEO Role at Navy
Michael Manazir, DeWolfe Miller to Serve in New Roles Within Office of the CNO
Frank Pound: DARPA Plan X Program Seeks to Provide ‘Unified’ Cyber Space Framework for Military Operators
Report: House Committee-Approved Fiscal 2017 NDAA Contains ‘Open Systems’ Provision
Brian Antonio Named Naval Aircraft Carriers Program Executive Officer
Wired: Pentagon Gives Israel Nod to Custom Fit F-35
Robert Griffin: DHS S&T Directorate Unveils Web-Based Year in Review
DNI James Clapper Signs Social Media Utilization Policy for Security Clearance Process
DARPA Demonstrates Nerve-Controlled Prosthetic Arm
Commerce Dept, NIST to Award Grants for Regional Cyber Education & Workforce Partnerships
Gary Wang: Data & Analytics Can Apply to Army Purchasing Strategies
Reports: Senate Committee’s FY 2017 Defense Bill Seeks to Split Up AT&L Responsibilities
Navy, Marine Corps CIOs Call for Tech to Expand Spectrum Environment
Rear Adm. Thomas Moore Nominated NAVSEA Chief
Jan Tighe Nominated for Navy Intell Director Post
House Bars Lawmakers’ Access to Google Cloud Apps, Yahoo Mail
Bill Moran Nominated as Vice Chief of Naval Operations
ImmixGroup: DoD, DHS, Commerce Dept Land Top Spots in FY 2017 Govt Cloud Budget Rankings
Chinese Defense Ministry Reacts to Pentagon Report on China’s Military Activities
Pentagon: China’s 2015 Military Investments Focused on Power Projection, Maritime, Force Modernization Initiatives
NTIA Urges Policymakers to Bolster Privacy, Security Strategies for Online Services
Sen. David Vitter to Continue Hold on OPM Director Nomination
Army Vice Chief Daniel Allyn: Budget Control Act Repeal Needed to Address ‘Readiness, Modernization Shortfalls’
GSA IG: Non-Compliant Tech Exposed 18F Data to Breach
SASC Wants to Keep DoD RD-180 Rocket Engine Purchase Limited to 9
Gen. Lori Robinson Takes Leadership Posts for Northern & NORAD Commands
Patrick Murphy Speaks at Army War College Forum
NGA Unveils New Geospatial Research Office in Reorg, Focus Shift
Robert Work: Russian Planes Perform ‘Extremely Aggressive’ Operations in Baltic Sea
Air Force Kicks Off Search for New CIO, Deputy Chief for Plans and Integration
CBO: Natl Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium Bill Would Not Affect Revenue, Direct Spending
Jim Piche: GSA to Issue Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation-as-a-Service Task Orders by August
Army Tests Upgraded NetOps Toolset for WIN-T Network Security
Deloitte Outlines Approach to Govt Benefits Programs Fraud Detection; Brien Lorenze Comments
House Committee Asks Census Bureau for Info on Decennial Count Tech Preparations
FedScoop: GSA 18F Team Starts to Build Bug Bounty Program for Federal Agencies
DHS, NYC Police & Fire Depts Test New Tech at Active Shooter Exercise
DoD Lifts Funding Level for Zika Virus Surveillance Effort; Franca Jones Comments
Rep. Steve Chabot: NDAA Contracting Reforms to Encourage Small Business Participation
GSA to Assign New Special Item Number for Health IT Under Schedule 70; Roya Konzman Comments
Robert Cardillo: NGA Forms New Strategy to Accelerate Interoperability in GEOINT Enterprise System
DoD, NASA, GSA Issue Final Rule on Federal Contractor Data System Protection
Reports: White House Opposes House Committee’s Contingency Funding Strategy for Defense
Senate Unanimously Approves Eric Fanning as Army Secretary
Senate OKs $1B in Emergency Funds to Support Efforts Against Zika Virus
GSA to Launch Online Tool for Federal Space Lease Offers in Philadelphia
Intl Space Station Deploys 2 NASA CubeSats for Swarm Comms Demonstration
FAA, Partners Conduct UAS Detection Tests at JFK Airport
DOE to Fund 10 Solar Projects, 5 Military Bases to Join Training Program
Army Lab, Partners Develop Doppler LiDAR System for Airdrop Operations
Kevin Kampschroer: GSA Adds Pilot Platform Feature to Real Estate Sustainability Practices Tool
Army Gen. David Rodriguez: Africom Partners With African Nations to Address Regional Threats
Marine Corps Times: USMC Seeks Autonomous Machines for Battlefield Operations
House Appropriations Committee OKs FY 2017 Defense Authorization Bill
House Committee Proposes $56B Commerce, Justice, Science Budget for Fiscal 2017
House Passes Bill to Help State, Local Agencies Address Cyber Risks
Ashton Carter Raises Concerns Over War Budget in Senate, House Versions of FY 2017 Defense Policy Bill
James Clapper: Cyber Attacks Target US Presidential Campaigns
Senators Seek Updates on OMB’s Pilot Program for Federal Contractor Reporting
Gen. Joseph Votel: Visits to Cenctom’s Area Focus on Regional Partnerships
Greg Boone: GSA 18F Division to Move Website on Federalist Platform
Sens. Claire McCaskill, Jon Tester Ask OPM to Provide Info on New Background Investigation Bureau
FCC Seeks Chief Data Officer for Strategic Planning & Policy Analysis Office
Army, USAID Develop Video Game for Foreign Natural Disaster Response Training
NOAA to Update JPSS Info Security Controls, Program Plan Based on GAO Report
House OKs $622M Package for Zika Response Effort
Devon Bistarkey: Army Continues Push to Develop Common Operating Picture
Reuters: Mary Jo White Says Financial System Cyber Policies Insufficient Against Threats
GAO: Gov’t, Industry Should Coordinate to Address Electromagnetic Risks to US Power Grid System
NASA Findings Show How How Earth’s Ring Current Behaves; Matina Gkioulidou Comments
Angela Simpson: NTIA Unveils Best Practices for Commercial, Private Use of Drones
NATO Leaders Discuss Readiness Action Plan Implementation Steps
Air Force’s Greg Zacharias: Fighter Jets Might Operate Multiple Drones for Reconnaissance, Targeting Missions
Navy Seeks Ship Maintenance IT Update for Cyber Defenses; Bruce Urbon Comments
House OKs $81.6B FY 2017 Package for Military Construction, Veterans Affairs Support
ISC Study: Federal Cyber Officials Cite Lack of Breach Response Plans at Agencies
Michelle Howard Nominated to Lead US Naval Forces in Europe, Africa
USPTO’s Bill Brantley Unveils Beta Version of Open Data Portal
James Clapper: Intell Key for National Security Decision Makers
Anne Rung Cites OFPP’s Efforts to Implement Category Management
GAO: Agencies Need to Complete Savings Target Under OMB Data Center Consolidation Initiative
FAA Rolls Out Registered UAS Owner Location Database
Pentagon Swears in Army Secretary Eric Fanning
Japanese Prime Minister to Call for Strict Anti-Crime Measures at US Military Bases
Janet Hughes: UK Government Digital Service Identity Verification Platform to Go Live
CBO: House Bill That Seeks to Reduce Federal Property Inventory Would Cost $40M Over 5 Years
Janice Haith: Navy to Hold Cyber Hygiene Contest for Workforce
Army CERDEC, Partners Integrate Positioning, Navigation, Timing Tech
SUNY-Buffalo Research Project Aims to Increase Data Throughput for Underwater Vehicles
Fedscoop: William Lay to Depart Role as State Dept CISO
Army Develops Simulation System to Troubleshoot Aviation Communications Modem
HHS’ Leo Scanlon: Collaborative Model Can Help Firms Defend Against Cyber Threats
FedRAMP Team Aims to Cut Readiness Assessment Time for Cloud Vendors; William Hamilton, Claudio Belloli Comment
MeriTalk: 79% of Federal IT Officials Doubt FedRAMP Process
Brig. Gen. Loretta Reynolds: Information Warfare Key to Access Adversaries’ Thought Process
Federal News Radio: Navy Eyes Cloud Migration Process Streamlining Strategy
GCN: EPA Develops Application Programming Interface to Address Data Collection Issues
NATO-led Mission in Afghanistan to Continue Beyond 2016 as Voted by Foreign Ministers
Sen. John McCain to Request $17B in Additional Defense Funds Through Amendment to 2017 NDAA
Report: U.S. Ends Ban on Weapon Sales to Vietnam
Rep. Duncan Hunter Asks Navy to Help Coast Guard With Arctic Icebreaker Acquisitions
US Army Central to Adopt Solar Lighting Systems in Kuwait; Weaver Prosper Comments
First Batch of Naval Academy Cyber Operations Majors to Graduate
Peter Highnam: NGA Identifies 7 Research Focus Areas
FCW: GSA Adds Contracting Officer to Technology Transformation Service
Charles Bolden: NASA Eyes Continued Space Cooperation with Int’l Counterparts
Breaking Defense: UK Seeks Potential Spawns of US Medium-Lift Aircraft Development Program
Tiger, Apache Pilots Complete Electronic Warfare Training Exercise
US, Vietnam Ink Administrative Agreement to Build on Civil Nuclear Field Cooperation
House Appropriations Committee’s FY 2017 Spending Bill Lacks Funds for NASA’s Asteroid Redirect Mission
Ashton Carter: US, Vietnam Eye Closer Security Ties After Removal of Arms Trade Restrictions
Courtney Smith Named Naval Training Security Assistance Field Activity Chief; Don Quinn Comments
C4ISR & Networks: Army to Test Software System for Cyber Threat Responses
IBM’s Gina Loften: Cognitive Platforms Could Help Address Mental Health Problems Among Veterans
Frank Kendall: F-35’s Final Operational Test Likely to Occur in 2018
Fedscoop: DHS to Release Online App for Citizenship Application Process
New Pennsylvania Policy Aims to Cut Teacher License Processing Time for Military Vets, Spouses; Pedro Rivera Comments
Keith Salzman: On U.S. Funding of Healthcare and Social Services
Air Force Seeks Exec Director, Deputy CIO for Transcom’s Cyber Directorate
David Tillotson: DoD ‘Delayering’ Initiative Eyes $1.9B Savings for Military Training, Readiness
Ashton Carter Opposes Provision to Separate Defense R&D, Procurement Functions
House OKs Bills to Shrink Federal Real Estate Footprint; Rep. Jeff Denham Comments
James Clapper: Diverse Workforce Fundamental to Intell Community’s Mission
Sylvia Burwell, Lisa Monaco: White House Unveils Data Security Framework for Precision Medicine Initiative
Army War College Explores Strategy to Avoid US-China Conflict
US-Vietnam Education Cooperation Covers Curriculum Support, Training Programs
Obama to Nominate Thomas Atkin, Daniel Feehan for DoD Asst. Secretary Posts
GAO to Review CBP’s Arizona Border Surveillance Tech Programs
Congressional Budget Office Names Mark Hadley as New Deputy Director
NASA Aims to Get More Data on Supersonic Retropropulsion Through SpaceX’s Red Dragon Spacecraft
FAR Council Calls for Info on Public Disclosure of Contractor Greenhouse Gas Emissions
NIH, EPA Award Grants to 5 Research Centers to Study Environmental Health Factors
Tony Scott: Gov’t Spends $3B on Maintenance Contracts for End-of-Life IT Products
USAID, Romanian Foreign Affairs Ministry Endorse Agreement to Strengthen Bilateral Development Cooperation
Frank Kendall: DoD, Industry Partners Work to Sustain F-35 Lightning II Systems
Deltek Report Identifies Top 5 Federal Spenders on Contracts for Small Biz Offerings
NIST-Led Team Unveils Standard to Characterize Production Processes’ Environmental Impacts
Senate Committee OKs $574B Defense Budget for Fiscal 2017
Nextgov: Federal CIO Tony Scott Pushes for Potential $12B IT Modernization Fund
Ashton Carter: DoD Should Accelerate Tech Dev’t Efforts
Peter Cook: Budget Woes Put Military Readiness, Training at Risk
NIH to Grant $142M to Mayo Clinic for Biological Sample Collection
Pentagon Eyes European-Built Rockets to Launch Military Satellites
Military.com: ‘Cannibalized’ Parts to Support Carrier Strike Group in Middle East Operations
Senators Seek to Elevate Cybercom to Combatant Command Through 2017 NDAA Amendment
Army Implements New DoD Appraisal Program for Civilian Employees
Gen. Joseph Votel: A-10 Aircraft at Turkey Base Runs 24/7 Operations Over Syria
Navy Medicine Publishes Updated Zika Virus Guidelines for Staff
White House Outlines 7 Strategies to Help Federal Agencies Develop Big Data R&D Plans
Central States Pension Fund Seeks Federal Assistance to Meet Future Retirement Obligations
Defense News: Navy to Push Overhaul Work on 5 Ships Into FY 2017’s First Quarter
GAO: Agencies Should Review Legacy IT O&M Investments
Inspector General: OPM Must Complete Capital Investment Plan to Modernize Agency’s IT Systems
Gen. Mark Welsh: Air Force Needs to Increase Manpower to Fulfill Aerial Missions
Navy, Army Aim to Support Military Shelters With Solar Power Systems
CBO: Bill on State Dept’s Use of Cost-Technical Tradeoff Contracts for Overseas Guards Would Cost $47M Through 2021
Steven Calvery to Retire as Pentagon Force Protection Agency Director
Vice Adm. Robert Burke Starts in Naval Personnel Chief Role
Christopher Painter: Cyber Efforts Should Focus on Effects, Not ‘Weapons’
Air Force Times: Frank Gorenc to Step Down as USAFE Commander
Lawmakers Ask Air Force to Speed Up Ground Surveillance Fleet Recapitalization