Digital News Coverage of Government Contracting and Federal Policy Landscape
2016 > September
DoD Proposes Rule on Cost, Records Examination Requirements Exceptions for Small Biz Contracts
DARPA Aids University of Colorado, Boulder Discovery of Ultrathin Material Synthesis Approach
New Army Org Seeks to Expedite Warfighting Tech Devt, Deployment Efforts
OMB Kicks Off Search for IT Category Mgmt Specialist
GAO: Public-Private Partnerships Hold Limited Role in Govt Property Disposal
DoD IG: US Army Firm-Fixed‑Price Contract Awards for FY 2014, 2015 Met Federal Regulations
Howard Shelanski: Retrospective Regulation Review Initiatives at Govt Agencies Hit $37B in 5-Year Savings
Rear Adm. Vincent Griffith: DLA, Industry Need to Address Defense Platform Sustainment Costs
Navy, G-W Management Services Build New Operations Facility for Atlantic Test Ranges
Commerce Dept to Launch Challenge for IT Systems to Drive Port Information Sharing
Military Times: Obama Sets 2017 Military Pay Raise at 1.6%
USAF Opens KC-46 Aircraft Training Center, Activates 56th Air Refueling Squadron
Naval War College Unveils New Maritime Research Institute at Rhode Island Campus
Eric Fanning Cites Army’s Role in Joint Warfighting Efforts
OPM Holds Life Insurance Selection Event for Federal Employees; Beth Cobert Comments
US Marines Complete AMRAAM Operational Test Missile Shots Aboard F-35B; Richard Rusnok Comments
CBO: License Prohibition Bill for Export of Commercial Aircraft to Iran Would Increase Administrative Costs at Treasury, Export-Import Bank
DoD’s Terry Halvorsen: Pentagon Could Miss 2017 Windows 10 Migration Goal
Tiffany Hixson: GSA Aims to Shed Light on Agencies’ ‘Other’ Professional Services Procurement
Army Materiel Command, Training and Doctrine Command Co-Host Innovation Summit 3
White House, DoT, NHTSA Issue Traffic Fatality Data ‘Call to Action’
Henning Schulzrinne to Return to FCC as CTO, Senior Tech Adviser; Tom Wheeler Comments
NGA, NSF Offer 3-D Digital Elevation Models of Alaska Under ArcticDEM Project
David Bassett: Better Buying 3.0 Tenets Aid Ground Combat Systems Modernization Efforts
Defense News: State Dept Eyes International Joint Declaration on ‘Strike-Enabling’ UAV
DHS S&T Seeks on Behavior Profiling Software to Aid Search & Rescue Missions
GAO: OPM Director Should Work with Agencies to Support Hiring Efforts
Reports: DoD Delays Military EHR System Launch Due to Technical Problems
Army Demos Integrated Chemical & Biological Threat Detection System
Inspector General: NASA’s Commercial Crew Program Continues to Face Technical, Safety Review Challenges
Gen. Joseph Votel: Meetings With Partners Within Centcom’s Area of Responsibility Aim to Address Regional Security
FAA OKs Use of Satellite-Based Air Traffic Control Procedures Through Southern California Metroplex Project
NASA, Boeing Test Space Launch System Insulator; Michael Frazier Comments
Marine Corps Facility Authorized to Operate Manufacturing Research, Development, Test & Evaluation Network
US, China Establish Technology Devt, Other Economic Opportunity Commitments
Air Force Research Lab Studies Metal Fatigue in Aircraft Components
Vice Adm. Tom Rowden Orders Engineering Stand-Down, Retraining for LCS Crew
Report: Air Force Wants Enlisted Personnel to Account for Majority of Global Hawk Pilots
Report: DoD Wants to Reprogram $100M in Funds to Address Weapons Security Issues
GAO: DoD Should Monitor National Guard’s Cyber Response Capabilities Through a Database
US, South Korea Vow to Uphold UN Sanctions on North Korea
Ron Thompson: VA’s Cloud Procurement Cycle Nears Completion
USS Harry Truman to Undertake Planned Incremental Availability for Maintenance, Modernization Work
USS Gerald Ford Sailors Finish Advanced Arresting Gear Training
NASA Seeks In-Space Spacecraft Assembly Concepts From University Students
DISA to Shift DoD Cyber Threat Detection System to ‘Endpoint Security Solutions’
Profile: James Baker, FBI General Counsel
Anthony Foxx: Transportation Dept Unveils Transit Service Map Open Data Platform
Defense Logistics Agency Kicks Off Fort Bragg Mapping Operations
Reports: Pentagon Lays Down Strategy to Undermine Paul Ryan’s Defense Spending Plan
Navy Evaluates Strike Group Capacity at 2016 USS Dahlgren Demo Event
GAO Wants DoD to Establish Comprehensive Plan for Readiness Goal Implementation
Motherboard: NSA’s Iraq War Documents Detail Surveillance Expansion in Counterterrorism Efforts
Reuters: Obama Administration Offered $115B Military Equipment, Training to Saudi
Ashton Carter: US, UK to Continue Efforts Against Islamic State Group, Other Threats
DHS OIG: CBP Should Update Privacy Policies and Require Specific Privacy Training for Employees
White House Unveils New Energy Standards Tool
Military Health System Postpones Rollout of New EHR System Amid Review
White House Appoints DHS Cyber Exec Gregory Touhill as First Federal CISO
Obama Nominates Lt. Gen. John Raymond to Head Air Force Space Command
Lt. Gen. James Holmes Nominated to Head Air Combat Command
NIST-Navy Team Explores Use of Fiber-Optic Telecom Networks as Potential Backup for GPS in Precision Time Transfer
Air Force Lists Candidate Bases for General Atomics-Built MQ-9 Reaper Operations
Frank Kendall: DoD Likely to Establish 3rd Outpost for Defense Innovation Hub
Air Force Develops Human Systems Integration Framework for Acquisition Practitioners
Deborah Lee James: More Assessment Needed Before DoD’s Final Cost Estimate for Nuclear Modernization
Report: Dawn Leaf to Retire as Labor Department CIO
GSA Seeks to Add ‘Other Direct Costs’ to Multiple-Award Schedule Program; Tom Sharpe Comments
Navy to Commission USS Montgomery Independence-Class LCS; Ray Mabus Comments
Ashton Carter: DoD Makes Additional Commitments for UN Peacekeeping Efforts
Adm. Michael Rogers: AI, Human Analytics Integration Can Aid Natl Security Programs
Matt Goodrich Unveils FedRAMP Authorization Baseline Cost Analysis
Kelly Morris: DLA Seeks Commercial Platforms to Manage, Secure Defense Supply Chain
Federal News Radio: DoD to Release Cybersecurity Guidance for Acquisition Program Managers
DOE, DOI Launch Collaborative Strategy for Offshore Wind Energy Devt; Ernest Moniz Comments
Former Centcom Commander John Abizaid Named Senior Defense Adviser to Ukraine
Justice Dept Invests $63M to Support State & Local Crime Lab Capacity
William Roper: DoD to Develop Swarming Micro-Drone Tech for Air Force
Defense Secretary Ashton Carter, British Counterpart Sign Cyber Agreement
Vice Adm. Thomas Moore Inspects DARPA-Built Fabrication Facility at SERMC
Navy Rearranges LCS Crewing, Tests & Deployment Structure
Obama Nominates Gen. John Hyten as Next Stratcom Commander
Tim Ruland: Census Bureau Partners With Carnegie Mellon University to Build Up Insider Threat Program
NBC: Ashton Carter, James Clapper Want Separate Leadership Structure for NSA, Cybercom
GSA’s David Shive: Agencies Need to Modernize IT Systems Even Without Legislation
Report: Former CIA Chief James Woolsey to Serve as Donald Trump’s Senior National Security Adviser
Report: Navy Seeks to Expand Cyber Workforce Through Updated Policy
John Carlin: DOJ to Assess National Security Risks Linked to ‘Internet of Things’
Gen. David Goldfein Outlines Top Three Goals for US Air Force
OPM Outlines Latest Updates to Mark 20 Years of USAJobs Website; Beth Cobert Comments
Brown University Report: US Govt’s War-Related Expenditures to Hit Nearly $5T by 2053
DHS OIG: TSA Lacks Oversight of Credentials Program Security Threat Assessment
AFRL Creates Controlled Enclosure for Aircraft Biological Contaminant Elimination; Wendy Goodson Comments
GSA Creates 4 New Schedule 70 Cyber Special Item Numbers
SBA Awards Grants to 7 Native American Small Businesses
Army Research Lab Develops Unmanned Aerial Resupply Vehicle
Report: Obama Nominates Lt. Gen. Samuel Greaves as Next MDA Director
John Richardson: Future Ships Must Incorporate Potential Arctic Operations
Matt Goodrich: FedRAMP Office Passes First Batch of Cloud Vendors in Accelerated Authorization Process
Air Force B-1B Bombers Train With Japanese, South Korean Fighter Aircraft
Marcel Lettre: Pentagon Seeks Robust Encryption Standards, Tech
PSC Report Cites Role of Federal CTOs as Innovation Agents; Casey Coleman, Robin Lineberger Comment
Reuters: US to Sign 10-Year, $38B Military Aid Pact With Israel
DHS’ Automated Indicator Sharing Program Commences Industry to Govt Cyber Threat Information Exchange
FEMA Report Underscores DHS’ Interagency Emergency Response Efforts
ARPA-E to Fund 16 Projects Under Energy Storage & Conversion Tech Optimization Program
Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker: National Network for Manufacturing Innovation Rebrands as Manufacturing USA
David Shive: GSA’s 18F Hub Plans to Recover Costs in 2019
Defense News: Sen. John McCain Plans to Block Cybercom-NSA Separation Efforts
C4ISR & Networks: Army Seeks to Award Cloud Migration Pilot Program Contract
NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab, NCI to Research Cancer Under Renewed Space-Based Data Science Partnership
White House: US Pledges $38B in Foreign Military Financing, Missile Defense Assistance to Israel
DoD Launches New Defense Innovation Office in Texas
OMB Seeks New Deputy Federal Chief Information Security Officer
Lisa Monaco: DHS Offers Cybersecurity Support to State Election Administrators
NIST Unveils New Mobile Security Resources; Joshua Franklin Comments
Kathy Brown: US Army, Marine Corps Adopts Collaborative Acquisition to Equip Soldiers
Rear Adm. Christopher Grady Nominated to Multiple Navy Leadership Roles
Rear Adm. Patrick Piercey Appointed Naval Surface Force Chief for US Atlantic Fleet
HHS Issues $87M in Funds for IT Updates at US Health Centers
GAO: NNSA Should Develop Long-Term Nuclear Weapons Surveillance Strategy
GAO Study: Agencies ‘Generally Satisfied’ With 18F, USDS Support Services
USPTO Grants Patent for NIST’s Single-Photon Detector; Josh Bienfang Comments
Marc Groman: OMB Updates Guidance for Agencies’ Privacy Mgmt Responsibilities
New Minority Business Dev’t Agency Program Eyes Minority Enterprise Access to Federal R&D
Service Chiefs Link Budget Instability to Military Readiness Gaps
NIST Issues Draft Self-Assessment Tool for Cybersecurity Mgmt Efforts
DHS Unveils Upcoming Roadway Safety Device for First Responders
PSC Report: Next US President Should Include Govt Service Delivery Modernization in Mgmt Agenda
GAO: DoD Should Monitor Timelines, Collaborate With Labor Dept on Federal Employees Compensation Concerns
Report: USAF Seeks to Reduce Legacy Air Vehicles Through Fiscal 2021
Navy Tests Biofuel in EA-18G Growler Aircraft
Adm. Michael Rogers: Change to US Government’s Use of Intelligence Driven by 9/11 Attacks
Obama Nominates State Dept Senior Adviser Elizabeth Field as OPM Inspector General
SwRI Solar Observatory Lifted Aboard World View Balloon Under NASA-Funded Flight
Bipartisan Group of Senators Introduce Bill to Give NASA’s Space Investments
Raquel Bono: DHA Aims for ‘Streamlined’ Military Health System
Stephen Welby: DoD Must Gain Innovation Advantage Over Adversaries for Tech Edge
Ray Mabus: DDG 125 & 126 Destroyers Named After Two WWII Marines
Army CERDEC, South Korean Agency Partner to Establish Spectrum Mgmt Interoperability Process
Profile: Mike McCord, Comptroller at the Dept. of Defense
Army Research Lab Builds New Tools for Soldier-Robot Teams; Joseph Conroy, William Nothwang Comment
Lt. Gen. Mike Holmes: Air Force Eyes Near-Term Procurement of Light Attack Aircraft
Commerce Dept Unveils 30 Appointees to Natl Advisory Council on Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Denise Turner Roth Talks Plans for GSA’s Tech Transformation Service
Navy Names New Fleet Replenishment Oilers After Civil, Women’s Rights Leaders
Space News: NASA Sees Minimal Effect of Russian ISS Crew Downsizing on Research Operations
Ashton Carter: Cyber Tech, Automation, Biological Research Essential for DoD Missions
Army to Develop Multipurpose Lethal Hand Grenade With Dual Mode, Electronic Fuze Timing
Pentagon’s SCO Experiments With Autonomous Tech For Air Force, Marine Corps
GAO Study Identifies VA Procurement Process Mgmt Challenges
Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James Aims to Increase Number of Active-Duty Airmen
DHS Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey Score Up 3 Percentage Points in 2016
Labor Dept Issues Minimum Wage Increase Notice for Federal Contracting Staff
DOE Vet Bill Valdez Appointed President of Senior Executives Association; Barbara Pabotoy Comments
Report: Transportation Dept Unveils New Policy on Self-Driving Cars
Air Force to Begin Repairs on Grounded F-35 Jets; Christopher Bogdan Comments
NIST Awards Grants to 5 Nonprofit Groups to Establish Regional Cyber Education, Workforce Devt Partnerships
OPM Unveils 2016 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey Results; Beth Cobert Comments
OPM Details New Background Investigation Bureau’s Organizational Structure
Gen. John Hyten: US Should Modernize Nuclear Triad Components Amid Global Threats
GAO: Federal Cyber Incidents Jumped 1,300% in Fiscal Years 2006-2015
Rep. Ralph Abraham Proposes Bill to Hold Federal Agency Heads Accountable for Cyber Breaches
White House: Census Reveals Household Income Up 5.2%, Poverty Down 1.2% in 2015
Robert Work Describes USAF’s Joint Interagency Combined Space Ops Center as 3rd Offset Strategy’s 1st Organizational Construct
Obama Signs Memorandum to Consider Climate Change Impact in Govt Policies & Plans
Rear Adm. Thomas Luscher Assumes Navy Reserve Forces Command Leadership
GAO: VA Should Develop New Procurement System Procedures
Senate Confirms Lt. Gen. Daniel Hokanson as National Guard Bureau’s Vice Chief
Nextgov: 9 States Request DHS’ Election Cybersecurity Assistance
GAO: Pentagon Should Reanalyze Medical Force Size, Readiness
Army Research Lab: Nanotechnology has Potential to Advance Engine Technology
Ashton Carter Talks DoD’s Budget Concerns, Continuing Resolution at Senate Committee Hearing
White House Unveils Contracting, Security Assistance Transparency Commitments Under 3rd Open Govt Action Plan
Senate Panel OKs $19B Bipartisan NASA Reauthorization Bill; Sen. Ted Cruz Comments
CIO Pamela Dyson Describes SEC’s Cloud Adoption, Big Data Initiatives
White House Forms Public-Private Partnership for Climate Preparedness
Deputy Cybercom Lead Kevin McLaughlin Details Command’s Progress
Gen. Ellen Pawlikowski: Cyber Resiliency Steering Group Unveils Air Force Cyber Campaign Plan
Senate OKs $1.15B Abrams Tank Sale to Saudi Arabia
House Passes Commercial Space Bill to Authorize FAA Studies on Airspace Operation Impacts
DISA Restructures Computing, Storage Activities; David Bennett Comments
CAPE Director Jamie Morin: Minuteman III ICBM Replacement Cost Could Exceed DoD’s $85B Estimate
Air Force Gen. Darren McDew: Transcom Releases Strategy Framework to Address Potential Obstacles
NAVIFOR’s Kelly Aeschbach Nominated for Rear Admiral Rank Promotion
Obama Nominates Lt. Gen. John Thompson to Lead Air Force Space & Missile Systems Center
Marine Corps Hot Loads F-35B With Laser-Guided Bombs
GAO Outlines DoD’s Planned Nuclear Force Structure Under Arms Reduction Treaty With Russia
NATO Eyes E-3 AWACS Aircraft Deployment for Islamic State Fight
Army Research Lab, UK MoD Form Distributed Analytics & Info Science Alliance
Virginia Concludes Cyber Physical Systems Summit; Brian Moran Comments
Reuters: FBI Investigates Possible Link of NSA Hacking Tools Breach to Former Operative
DOE: Manufacturers Saved $3B Through Department’s Better Buildings, Better Plants Program
House Subcommittee to Review National Security Space Programs; Rep. Mike Rogers Comments
House OKs Bill to Support Small Biz Cybersecurity Efforts
Smart Cities Council to Back Tech Acquisitions in 5 US Locations
Reports: Senate to Vote on Continuing Resolution to Avert Govt Shutdown
Report: DOT CTO Maria Roat to Join SBA as CIO
CMS, ONC Unveil Electronic Health Record Support Tool and Contracting Guide for Clinicians
Ashton Carter: DoD Aims to Build Up Defense Strategy Through Nuclear Deterrence Sustainment
Navy Unveils LCS Surface Warfare Mission Training Hub
University of Michigan Professor Thomas Zurbuchen Named NASA Science Mission Directorate Head
MeriTalk: Slight Majority of Federal IT Pros Prefer Hillary Clinton as Next US President
GAO Recommends HHS to Update EHR Cyber & Privacy Guidance
DOJ National Security Division Lead John Carlin to Leave Agency
NASA Engineers Seek to Carry Laboratory-based Instruments Into Space Through New Satellite System
Lt. Gen. Nadja West: Readiness Top Priority for Army Medical Command
NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Completes Space Launch System Test Stand; Scott Chartier Comments
White House Directs Pentagon Away From Discussion of US-China ‘Competition’
DHS Seeks Input on Critical Infrastructure Positioning, Navigation, Timing Requirements
Phyllis Schneck: DHS Needs Cyber Professionals to Help Secure Govt Networks, Natl Infrastructure
Vice Adm. Luke McCollum Takes Navy Reserve Chief Post
GAO: Government Procurement Agreements Must Streamline Transparency, Procedures
Marine Corps Unveils Operating Concept With Maneuver Warfare Emphasis; Robert Neller Comments
Congress Approves 10-Week Govt Funding Extension
FBI, Bureau of Justice Statistics Award Grants Under Crime Reporting Standardization Effort
Report: Air Force Starts ICBM Program Test Fund Collection Effort
Obama to Nominate Glenn Fine as DoD Inspector General
Jane Norberg Promoted as Full-Time SEC Whistleblower Office Head
NASA, China Form Air Transportation Automation & Management Study Partnership
Report: DoD to Request OCO Budget for Afghanistan Troop Retention in November
Report: DHS Draft Cyber Incident Response Plan Goes to Stakeholders
Robert Cardillo: NGA Forms Commercial GEOINT Procurement Program With GSA As Part of Open Content Strategy
Report: Marine Corps Plans to Acquire Polaris Defense All-Terrain Vehicles
OPM Unveils National Background Investigations Bureau; Charles Phalen to Serve as NBIB Chief
Five Projects Receive $1.5M Research Funding from NSF, CASIS; Grace Wang Comments
ISAO SO to Release 4 Cyber Info Sharing, Analysis Best Practices Guideline Documents
GSA Unveils Data Federation Movement in Support of Open Govt Efforts; Denise Turner Roth Comments
FCC Releases New Rules for Public Safety Mobile Warning System
DHS Org Seeks Flood Response, Resilience Strategies; Daniel Cotter Comments