Digital News Coverage of Government Contracting and Federal Policy Landscape
2016 > October
6 GovCon Industry Groups Ask Federal Govt to Delay Implementation of Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces Final Rule
GAO Asks OPM to Establish Agency Conversions Data Validation Process
USAID Issues $1B Loan Guarantee to Support Economic, Governance Reform in Ukraine
Air Force Times: Service Branch’s Leaders Unveil Diversity & Inclusion Initiatives
Service Laboratory Chiefs Talk Military Tech Devt Efforts In Support of DoD’s 3rd Offset Strategy
GAO: FDA Should Implement Agency-Wide Info Security Program to Address Risks
NASA Develops Clean Room to Support the ISAAC Robot with Composite Materials Devt Mission
GAO: Agencies Must Account for All Software Application Inventories
NASA, France Forge Aircraft Noise Reduction Research Partnership; Jaiwon Shin Comments
Navy Rear Adm. Jon Hill Named MDA Deputy Director
FedRAMP Accelerated Program Seeks to Reduce Provisional Authorization Duration to 15 Weeks
Pentagon’s Anti-WMD Agency Changes Name & Joins DTRA
Justice Dept Invests $119M to Support Community-Oriented Policing Services Hiring Program
MDA Completes Ground Test of Ballistic Missile Defense System
Report: Cybercom Leaders Approve DoD Information Network Defense Plan
Air Force Establishes Chief Information Security Office & Year-Long Cyber Awareness Campaign
Anne Rung Outlines OFPP’s Efforts to Promote Category Mgmt, Innovation Under ‘Transforming the Marketplace’ Plan
White House Announces Climate Resilience Initiatives of VA, USDA, DOE, HUD
Robert Work: DoD Should Increase Multidomain Warfare Focus
VA Picks USDA as Financial Mgmt Shared Service Provider
HR McMaster: Army Shifts Focus to Multi-Domain Battle Concept
NASA Goddard Interns Conduct Space Comms, Navigation Projects; Mike Weiss Comments
NOAA Sets Nov. 4 Launch Date for 1st Next-Generation Geostationary Weather Satellite
GSA Unveils iBook Version of Federal Acquisition Regulation
Navy Launches Online Credentialing Program for Civilian Workforce
Profile: Lisa Blumerman, Census Bureau Associate Director for Decennial Census Programs
Ashton Carter, Defense Innovation Board Members Discuss Interim Recommendations for DoD
34 Private Sector Execs to Join Commerce Dept’s Renewable Energy Advisory Committee
Presidential Memo Bolstered Diversity in National Security Workforce
DHS, America’s Public TV Stations Team Up to Advance Datacasting Use by First Responders
CMS Seeks CIO & Enterprise Info Office Director
Reports: White House Unveils Joint Armed UAV Export Declaration With Over 40 Countries
DHS, NASA Develop Calculation Tool to Help Mitigate Solar Storm Impact on Electric Grid
Army CIO Robert Ferrell Talks Data Center Reduction Efforts, New RFP at AUSA Conference
GAO Asks OMB to Study Inclusion of Land Mobile Radio in Category Mgmt Effort
Mary Davie: GSA Updates IT Product & Service Navigator Tool for Acquisition Pros
Katrina McFarland, Lt. Gen. Michael Williamson Talk Army’s Acquisition Reform Efforts, Procurement Priorities
White House Announces 29 New Digital Tools Under Opportunity Project
NIH Issues $20M in Peripheral Nervous System Research Funds
DOE Monitors Energy Infrastructure as Hurricane Matthew Reaches Florida
FAA Seeks to Update Professional Development of Air Carrier Pilots
Deltek: US Civilian Agencies Have Awarded $75M in Cloud Contracts as of September
Navy Marks Cybersecurity Awareness Month Through Info Dissemination Initiative; Vice Adm. Jan Tighe Comments
Air Force Establishes New Strategic Development Planning & Execution Office
Gen. Mark Milley: Army Must Update Tactics, Weapons to Manage Future Conflicts
Afloat Training Group Performs Assessment on USS John C Stennis; Dominic Gamez Comments
GSA, OMB Approve USDA as Shared Service Provider of CGI’s Financial Mgmt Software
Wayne Brasure Nominated as Full-Time Domestic Nuclear Detection Office Chief at DHS
NASA Makes Little Progress on Mars Missions Beyond 2020 Rover, Orbiter; Jim Watzin Comments
Navy Creates Mobile Combat Simulation Tech for Civilian Use
David Saltiel Joins SEC as Analytics & Research Office Associate Director
DHS & ODNI: Russia Directed Email Breach Against US Entities
OFPP Proposes New OMB Circular to Implement Category Mgmt for Common Goods & Services Procurement
CBO: Federal Budget Deficit Hits $588B for FY 2016
Mary Wakefield: HHS’ 4th Open Govt Plan Eyes Collaboration & Partnerships With Dept Stakeholders
Air Force Transfers E-4B to Branch’s Global Strike Command
Federal News Radio: GSA 18F’s Aaron Snow to Leave Executive Director Role
Army Research Lab Demos Autonomy Concepts to Japan Defense Sector Delegation
Army Tank R&D Center, GM Unveil Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Prototype; Kevin Centeck Comments
GAO: OPM Should Address Payroll Data Availability & Reliability
Navy Commissions 10th San Antonio-Class Amphibious Transport Dock USS John P. Murtha
Air Force, NNSA Deploy Mock Nuclear Bombs From B-2 Stealth Bombers
NASA Mars Rover to Explore Potential Fluid-Carved Gully
Profile: John Zangardi, DoD Principal Deputy CIO
Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges: US Army Europe Seeks to Deploy Rotational Force for Deterrence Missions
Gen. Gustave Perna Cites Potential Role of Additive Manufacturing in Army’s Supply Chain
Sean Stackley: Navy Initiates Talks With Congress Over Rapid Prototyping Funds
Brookings Institution Report: Global Internet Disruptions Cost at Least $2B Over 12-Month Period
Senators Urge FCC to Investigate Cellphone Surveillance Tech Interference Complaints
Navy Tests Hellfire Missile for LCS Surface Warfare Module
NASA’s Jeanette Hanna-Ruiz: Cyber Hiring Must Consider Diverse Talent
Ohio’s Smart Mobility Corridor Project for Connected Vehicles Lands DOT Grant
Bureau of the Fiscal Service Seeks New CIO, Assistant Commissioner for Info & Security Services
Rear Adm. Robert Girrier: Navy to Utilize Drones in Transition to Human-Assisted Systems
Reuters: Australia Agrees to Co-Fund US Force Deployment Efforts in Darwin
Katrina McFarland: Commercial Drone Proliferation Presents New Defense Challenges
Lt. Gen. James McConville: Army to Consolidate HR, Pay Processes With New Software
Bob Work Talks Security Challenges During Finland Visit
US, Nordic & Baltic Nations Conduct Multilateral Security Forum
USS Zumwalt Destroyer Sails to Baltimore Ahead of Commissioning Ceremony
DoD to Mitigate ‘Ghost’ Afghan Forces Through Verification, Biometric Registration
DoD Pledges Continued Support for Colombia’s Peace Process
Report: Russia to Collaborate with China in Response to U.S. Missile Defense Program
Marine Corps to Pair Units for F-35B Fighter Jet Training Exercise; Robert Walsh Comments
DoD Spectrum Team Gets National Intell Citation for Wireless Broadband Work
FBI Unveils New Sacramento Field Office HQ With GSA; Monica Miller Comments
Navy’s USS Nimitz Carrier Completes Extended Planned Incremental Availability
Federal CISO Gregory Touhill: OMB Plans New Cyber Best Practices Website
Ashton Carter to Talk Regional Disaster Relief Policy With Latin American Defense Leaders
MHS Postpones Launch of New Defense EHR System to February; Stacy Cummings Comments
Defense Business Board Highlights Priorities for DoD Transition Team After November Elections
US to Partner With 13 New Countries Under Global Health Security Agenda
FCC CIO David Bray: IT a Shared Responsibility for Agency Execs
Peter Lavoy: US-India Relationship Presents Opportunities to Incoming Administration
Marine Corps Seeks to Facilitate Emergency Cyber Platform Deployment Through New Acquisition Process
Facebook Seeks Counterterrorism Research Analyst to Join Info Security Org
White House Issues Report on Artificial Intell Applications, Public Policy Questions
Army, Marine Corps to Test Oshkosh-Built JLTVs in 2017
Commerce Dept’s Bruce Andrews to Help Promote US Healthcare Products in China Via Trade Mission
NASA Langley Research Center Team Eyes Virtual Reality Tech for Potential Mission Research Applications
Amazon, Commerce Dept Host Open Data Challenge for Voice Recognition Tool Efforts
CDC, Florida Health Department Conduct Zika Probe in Miami-Dade County
Army Natick Soldier R&D and Engineering Center Introduces New Harness Design for Fragment Protection
US, UK Navies Plan Unmanned Systems Demo
NSF to Add New Natural Hazards Research Network Components
Navy, California Forge Renewable Energy Partnership; Dennis McGinn Comments
GAO: DoD’s February Status Report Lacks Info on Military, Civilian, Contractor Workforces
Raj Shah: Defense Innovation Unit Experimental Eyes New Warfighting Tech, Industry Partnerships
CIA’s John Brennan: Forums Can Help Encourage Public-Private Cyber Cooperation
Vice Adm. Raquel Bono: New MHS EHR System Key to Interoperability Between Soldiers, Health Providers
DOE: Loan Guarantee Program Funded 45 Additional Solar Photovoltaic Projects
SEC Names Melissa Hodgman Enforcement Division Associate Director
Commerce Department, USC Marshall Center Form Supply Chain Digitization Partnership
Maj. Dan Riley: New Air Force Test Group to Focus on Autonomous Flight Systems
NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Researchers Launch ISS Communications Support Software
ONC Introduces Rule to Address Health IT Transparency, Accountability
DoD Accelerator Program Aims to Spur Public-Private Natl Security Tech Collaboration
US Govt Seeks $13B in Clean Energy R&D Investments by FY 2021
GSA’s 18F Hub Modifies Federal Pay System to Back Cyber Talent Recruitment Goals
White House Releases Open Source Code for Government’s Facebook Messenger Bot
Army, Saab Business Unit Test Updated Shoulder-Fired Rifle
DARPA-Backed Research Team Demos Brain-Machine Interface System
Air Force, International Partners to Discuss Cooperative Space R&D Efforts
Army’s 1st Infantry Division to Deploy 500 Troops for Operation Inherent Resolve
Army Officials Highlight Tech Modernization, Soldier Readiness Goals at AUSA Forum
Military Health System Works to Strengthen Data Security; DHA’s Servio Medina Comments
DOT’s IG: Cyber Incident Handling ‘Ineffective, Incomplete’
ISACA’s Theresa Grafenstine Recommends Cybersecurity Priorities for Next US President
Rear Adm. Roy Kitchener Takes Command of Haiti Relief Operations Task Force
Air Force to Assume Ownership of Space Surveillance Telescope from DARPA
Obama to Appoint Meghan Flanz as VA Human Resources & Administration Asst Secretary
USPTO Set for National Trademark Expo in Washington
Veterans Affairs, Stanford Medicine to Establish Hadron Therapy Facility for Cancer Patients
Ali Zaidi, Lynn Orr: US Federal Investments in Clean Energy R&D Projects to Hit $13B in FY 2021
USPS IG Survey: Residents Approve of Drone Delivery Concepts
FDIC Board to Hold Open Meeting on Flood Insurance, Cyber Risk Mgmt Policies
Lt. Gen. Paul Nakasone Takes Charge of Army Cyber Command
Govt Task Force Releases Report on Natural Gas Storage Safety
Navy’s Advanced Arresting Gear Completes First Super Hornet Recovery Test
Space News: DoD & FAA Leaders Envision Gradual Transition Period for Space Traffic Mgmt Initiatives
NASA & Russian Personnel Launch on Soyuz for ISS Science Investigation Mission
Astrophysicist Jessica Gaskin to Lead NASA X-Ray Surveyor Design Team
GAO: Air Force GPS Program Quarterly Report Lacks Acquisition, Schedule Info
Rebecca Chavez: DoD Eyes Greater Collaboration With Mexico’s Defense Agencies
GSA Gets ‘Best-in-Class’ Designations for SmartPay Contract Vehicles
Rep. Gerry Connolly Wants Senate to Pass Govt IT Modernization Bill
Jeh Johnson: DHS On Track to Meet Congressional Cyber Tools Installation Deadline
Army Kicks Off First Robotics, Autonomous Weapon Systems; Terry McKenrick Comments
Deltek Report: Presidential Transition Will Have Minimal Effect on Federal IT Contracting
Adm. Kurt Tidd: Latin America Threat Networks Can Affect National Security, Regional Stability
Profile: John Felker, Director of DHS’ National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center
Inspector General Reviews Interior Dept’s Continuous Diagnostics & Mitigation Program for 3 Bureaus’ IT Systems
US Bank Regulators Seek to Implement Cyber Risk Mgmt Rules
Adm. John Richardson Releases Navy Civilian Workforce Framework
Peter Potochney: DoD Eyes Public-Private Partnership Expansion in Other Infrastructure Areas
OMB Unveils New Privacy Org Within Information & Regulatory Affairs Office
Unmanned Tech Leaders Teamed Up in Scotland to Commence Joint Research and Training Exercise
DARPA Hands Over Space Surveillance Telescope to Air Force; Lindsay Millard Comments
Scott Smith to Serve as FBI Cyber Division Asst Director
EPA Taps NAAEE to Provide Environmental Education Training Support Under Cooperative Agreement
CNAS Report Recommends Energy Security Strategy for Next US President
Army to Evaluate New Software and Systems at Warfighter Assessment Exercise
Nick Szechenyi: Japan Requests $51B Defense Budget for Fiscal 2017
Census Bureau Scales Back Some Testing Operations on Budget Uncertainty
NGA Chooses 16 Orgs for Disparate Data Challenge Phase 2
Curt Dukes Outlines NSA Role in Cyber Defense Mitigation Efforts
Army Seeks Light Combat All-Terrain Vehicle Fielding in 2019
Adm. Michael Rogers: Human Capital is Biggest Cyber Challenge
Ashley Mahan: FedRAMP Cloud Service Authorizations Up 85%
Federal Reserve Board Eyes FINRA as Secondary Market Data Collection Agent
GSA, FBI Hold Groundbreaking Ceremony for Consolidated FBI Facility in Puerto Rico
VA Unveils New Medical, Surgical Equipment Procurement Program
Reports: US Authorities Examine Cyber Attack on DNS Provider Dyn
Mary Davie: GSA Adds 15 Vendors Under New Schedule 70 Cyber Special Item Numbers
Marine Corps Launches New Tech Discovery Task Force
Michael Horowitz: Inspectors General Ask Congress to Move Deadline for 1st DATA Act Spending Reports
Army Activates New Battalion for Space, Missile Defense Operations
NASA Seeks to Advance Small Spacecraft Platform Devt Through New Virtual Institute
DHA Adds 25 New Lab-Developed Tests for Tricare Availability
Maj. Gen. Nina Armagno: Air Force Surveillance Telescope to Aid Space Domain Accountability
White House’s Science and Technology Office Launches Small Satellite Initiative
Navy to Work on Updates for Sailor Pay, Personnel Support System
Cybercom’s Mission Force Teams Reach Initial Operating Capability
DARPA Unmanned Vessel Flies TALONS Payload in Demonstration; Scott Littlefield Comments
NASA Picks 5 Winning Teams Under Small Satellite Devt Challenge’s 3rd Ground Tournament
GSA IG: 18F Group Records Estimated $31.7 Cumulative Net Loss Between FY 2014 and 3Q FY 2016
Air Force Research Lab Develops Robotic Machine to Automate Material Research
Space News: Air Force Verifies Weather Satellite Break Up in Orbit
Frank Kendall: DoD Acquisition Programs Cost Growth Hits 30-Year Low
ISC Submits Recommendations on Critical Workforce Issues to New Federal CISO; Dan Waddell Comments
DoD Joint Staff Issues Cybersecurity Warning Against Lenovo Computers, Handheld Devices
NASA Eyes Photonics Usage to Address Spaceflight Challenges
Steven Walker: DARPA Develops Programs for Real-Time Space Situational Awareness
Jeh Johnson: Internet Service Company Dyn has Addressed Cyber Attack
Profile: Lt. Gen. Arnold Bunch, Military Deputy for Assistant Air Force Secretary for Acquisition
Kevin Youel Page: GSA to Update Acquisition Processes Under “Making It Easier” Phase 2
Department of Industrial Relations Secures DOL Grant to Expand Apprenticeship Programs
James Clapper Talks Intell Integration at Business Executives for National Security & INSA Event
USDA Invests $300M to Support Energy Efficiency Among Small Businesses
Reports: GSA to Announce FBI Headquarters Location, Developer in March
Gen. Robert Abrams: Army Needs More Training to Adopt New Tech, Prep for Conflicts
James Clapper: Russia Not Behind US Website Outage
MD5 Names Winners of First DoD Public-Private Partnership Hackathon Event
Rear Adm. DeWolfe Miller: Navy to Stand Up First Unmanned-Only Aviation Squadron
Adm. Michael Rogers: Cyber Talent Remains Key Challenge to DoD
Douglas Loverro: DoD Should Integrate Commercial Space Tech Into Military Architecture
GSA Creates Digital Registry Portal and AI, Virtual Reality Communities for Federal Managers
GAO: OFPP Should Monitor Agencies’ Strategic Sourcing Purchases to Boost Savings
Carla Provost Promoted to Deputy Chief
CBP Begins Air & Marine Surveillance Center Expansion Project
Frank Kelley: Navy Eyes Unmanned Systems Integration With Acquisition Plans Through New Roadmap
David Hardy: Resiliency Gaps Prevent DoD Utilization of Small Satellites for Operational Roles
DoD Integrates Artificial Intell With Autonomous Weapon Systems; Robert Work Comments
Former Pixar Exec Rob Cook Named GSA Tech Transformation Service Chief
DARPA-Funded Research Team Seeks to Help Amputees Perceive Levels of Touch Pressure Via Electrical Stimulation
NASA Goddard Flight Center Team Updates Mission Trajectory Software Tool
NOAA Issues Funds for Weather, Water Hazard Forecasting Tech Transfer; John Cortinas Comments
Lt. Gen. Robert Walsh: Marine Corps Wants Wider Robotic Applications
GAO: DHS’ CIO Office Should Take Principal Role in Joint Requirements Council
Army Seeks to Help Soldiers Recharge Batteries Through Knee Device; Noel Soto Comments
Tony Scott: White House Unveils Proposed Federal IT Modernization Guidance
Naval Academy Breaks Ground on Future Cyber Study Center
Deborah Lee James: Next US Administration Should Decide on the Course of DoD’s Space Investments
Gen. John Raymond Becomes Air Force Space Command Chief
Lt. Gen. Arnold Bunch: Air Force Seeks 10-Month Timeframe for Sole-Source Contract Awards
Rep. Duncan Hunter Urges Air Force to Expedite UAS Devt & Acquisition Efforts
Jeff DeTroye: FAA Can Perform Space Situational Awareness Work at Sub-$100M Budget
Vice Adm. David Johnson: Navy Seeks to Maintain Technology, Maritime Advantage Via 30-Year R&D Plan
Leslie Caldwell: DOJ Issues Policy to Guide Prosecutors When to File Charges Under Computer Fraud and Abuse Act
Brig. Gen. Robert Marion Assigned as Army Deputy for Acquisition, Systems Mgmt
ODNI: Congress Appropriated $53B to National Intell Program for FY 2016
Lt. Gen. Jon Davis: Marine Corps Deploys Blackjack UAV on Combat Mission
NASA Astronaut, Russian & Japanese Counterparts Land on Earth After ISS Mission
HHS Updates FOIA Regulations to Address Backlog & Response Time
Cyber Training Course Goes Online for Officers & First Responders
Lt. Gen. Jon Davis: Marines Eye F-35 Weapons & Sensors on UAS
Navy Leaders Seek More Unmanned Underwater Vehicles
Ashton Carter: DoD to Create Chief Innovation Officer Role
NIST Report Details FY 2014 Federal Tech Transfers
James Clapper Receives DoD’s Highest Civilian Award
GAO: VHA Should Establish Evaluation Process to Implement Org Structure Actions
IC Vet Amy McAuliffe to Chair National Intelligence Council
Army, Navy, Air Force Secretaries Say ‘Adaptive’ Workforce Key to US Security
DoD: Total Appropriations for Military Intell Program Hit $18B in FY 2016
Vice Adm. Christopher Grady Assumes Command of US 6th Fleet, Naval Striking & Support Forces NATO