Digital News Coverage of Government Contracting and Federal Policy Landscape
2016 > December
Deltek: Federal Cloud Platform Investments to Reach $6.4B by FY 2021
DoD, NASA, GSA Propose Rule to Facilitate Govt-Industry Communication During Acquisition Process
Rep. Tom Price Named HHS Secretary Under Trump Administration
US Soldiers, Airmen & Sailors Conduct Joint Chemical Attack Response Drill
Air Force Pilots Start Integrated F-16, F-35 Training
Rep. Mac Thornberry Expects Trump Administration to Request Supplemental Defense Budget
Air Force Wideband Global Satcom Set for Dec. 17 Launch; Thomas Becht Comments
Legislative Cyber Leaders to Join President-Elect Trump’s Transition Team
Obama Nominates DOJ’s Robert Storch as NSA Inspector General
DARPA Seeks Game-Based Science, Tech Collaboration Platform; John Main Comments
GSA Names 3 Potential Sites for Future Labor Dept HQ
DoD’s DIUx Arm Details Approach for Faster Acquisitions
17 Industry Groups Ask Trump to Advance Tech Infrastructure Investments
Trump to Nominate Steven Mnuchin, Wilbur Ross, Todd Ricketts for Treasury & Commerce Roles
DHA: Updated Tricare Retail Pharmacy Network Adds Walgreens Pharmacies
NIST Releases Interactive Tool for Cybersecurity Job Seekers
Compromise 2017 NDAA to Designate Cybercom as Full Combatant Command
DOJ: Multinational Group Starts Efforts to Dismantle Intl Cybercriminal Network
Gen. Joseph Dunford: Joint Force Needs to Integrate US Military Capabilities Amid Global Security Threats
DHS Issues ‘Other Transaction’ Solicitation for Financial Sector Cybersecurity Tools
Russian Space Agency Loses Contact with Resupply Spacecraft
Trump to Appoint Retired Marine Gen. James Mattis as DoD Secretary
Brig. Gen. William Cole: Army to Establish Cyber Training Range for Network Operations
Maj. Gen. Marc Sasseville Named Air National Guard Deputy Director
IARPA Picks Winners of Multi-View Stereo 3D Mapping Tilt
Senate OKs Program Mgmt Improvement & Accountability Bill
Congress Authorizes $136M for GSA’s 2 Federal Courthouse Projects in Georgia and Mississippi
Army Breaks Ground on New Cyber Command Complex in Georgia; Eric Fanning Comments
Bill Gerstenmaier: NASA Aims to Shorten 1st Orion EM-2 Manned Mission to 8 Days
Ryan Burke: 20 Communities Join Training Program for Technological Jobs
National Cyber Commission Unveils 6 Imperatives to Secure Digital Economy
NASA Highlights Silver-Zinc Battery’s Transition to Consumer Market
Int’l Law Enforcement Agencies Launch Cyber Operation to Take Down ‘Avalanche’ Malware Network
Report: DoD-Wide Electronic Warfare Strategy Ready for Ashton Carter’s Signature
Paula Yoon: CDC Explores Data Collection Tech to Modernize Disease Surveillance Systems
House’s Fiscal 2017 Intelligence Bill Includes Space Weather Program Mgmt Change Provision
Mark Flannery to Resign as SEC Chief Economist, DERA Director
NASA Awards Early-Stage Space Tech Research Grants to 13 Universities; Steve Jurczyk Comments
Marcel Lettre: Infrastructure Security Risks Warrant National Response
Republicans Pick Phil Roe to Chair House Veterans’ Affairs Committee
GAO: Congress Should Not Fund 2017 LCS Acquisition
CBO: Senate’s Federal Health IT Bill Would Cost $122M Through 2021
White House Releases Report on Legal Frameworks for US Military’s Use of Force
Report: DoD’s Security Org Approves 5K+ Contractor Insider Threat Program Plans
Frank Kendall Talks DoD’s Budget Constraints, 2017 NDAA at Reagan National Defense Forum
NASA Highlights New Tech, Investments in ‘Spinoff 2017’ Issue; Stephen Jurczyk Comments
CBO: House’s Government IT Modernization Bill to Cost $9B from 2017 to 2021
Robert Work: DoD’s 3rd Offset Strategy Eyes ‘Conventional Deterrence’ Against State Powers
NASA to Test Leak Detector on International Space Station; Crystal Bassett Comments
NIST Report Recommends Approaches to Reduce Software Vulnerabilities
Robert Work: DoD’s Proposed FY 2018 Budget Seeks to Increase Spending on Munitions, Strategic Capabilities Office
IBM CEO Ginni Rometty to Advise Trump as Strategic & Policy Forum Member
Army Eyes Integrated Cyber & Electronic Warfare Career Field
Report: DoD Postpones Decision on Potential $3.6B 3rd Missile Interceptor Site
Program Management Bill Heads to White House After Senate Approval
Ash Carter: US Plans Return of Land from Northern Okinawa to Japan
Rep. Adam Schiff Eyes Support for Retired Marine Gen. James Mattis as DoD Secretary Via Waiver
NASA Picks University of Oklahoma-Led Team for $166M Geostationary Vegetation, Greenhouse Gas Monitoring Mission
Karen Guice Leads Discussion on Military Health System Essentials
Rep. Hal Rogers Introduces Stopgap Measure to Fund Gov’t Operations Through April
Mark Bradley Named NARA Info Security Oversight Office Director
CNAS Report: DoD Should Take New Approach to Mobile Device Procurement, Adopt BYOD Model
NSF Awards $76M in Cyber Study Research Grants
Air Force Approves Third Launch of Lockheed-Built Missile Warning Satellite
GAO: OMB, Federal Agencies Implemented 46% of 800 Auditors’ IT Reform Recommendations
James Mattis Gets Formal Defense Secretary Nomination
State Dept, EU Leaders Ink New Deal to Bolster Crisis Response and Security
GSA Unveils 10-Year Administrative Services Delivery Vision
Thomas Murphy to Be Nominated VA Undersecretary for Benefits
Retired Marine Gen. John Kelly Chosen to Lead DHS Under Trump Administration
Report: Navy Refuses to Cut $17B in Shipbuilding Funds From FY 2018 Budget Plan
GAO: USACE Should Develop Info Recording Guidance on Nonfederal Sponsor-Led Water Projects
DARPA Program Aims to Help Urban Troops Manage Unmanned System Swarms
GAO: DoD Should Define Roles of Military Heads Under Strategic Planning Process
Air Force to Select 2 Host Bases for Lockheed Martin-Built F-35 Joint Strike Fighter
Trump Selects Linda McMahon to Head Small Business Administration
Trump Nominates Fast-Food CEO Andy Puzder as Labor Secretary
House OKs Stopgap Funding Bill in 326-96 Vote
Senate Sends $619B Fiscal 2017 NDAA to White House
Ash Carter, India’s Defense Minister Discuss Collaborative Priorities
NASA Updates Tech Commercialization Readiness Program for Small Businesses; Jenn Gustetic Comments
Arati Prabhakar: DARPA Continues to Innovate Through Sustained DoD Support
Pentagon Officials Recognize DoD Staff, Military Organizations at Defense Acquisition Workforce Awards
Obama Authorizes 2.1% Federal Worker Pay Raise for 2017
Andrew Ceresney to Step Down as SEC Enforcement Director
US, China Reaffirm Cooperation to Address Cybercrime & Network Protection
CIA: Russia’s Cyber Intrusions Sought to Influence US Presidential Election
Ash Carter, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani Discuss Strategic Partnership for Afghanistan’s Security
Senate Clears Stopgap Measure in 63-36 Vote
US to Deploy 200 Troops for Counter-IS Efforts in Syria
Deborah Lee James: Air Force Considers to Waive Fixed-Price Requirement in 2017 NDAA for JSTARS Replacement Program
Boeing to Supply 80 Passenger Aircraft to Iran Air Under $16.6B Deal
Air Force Academy Students Introduce Cyber Issue Tracker Software
Navy Adm. Kurt Tidd: Innovation & Collaboration Key to Counter Threat Networks
White House Establishes Northern Bering Sea Climate Resilience Area Through Executive Order
Steve Cook, Greg Autry Among Donald Trump’s NASA Transition Team Members
Army Vet James Gilman Named Chief Exec of NIH Clinical Research Center; Francis Collins Comments
NASA’s Ames Research Center to Demo Air Traffic Mgmt Simulator
Bob McDonald Expects Next VA Secretary to Build on His Work
Cedric Leighton: DoD Works to Address Advanced Persistent Threats
Rep. Robert Wittman: Threat Analysis Should Inform Trump’s 350-Ship Navy Fleet Plan
Army to Evaluate BAE-Built Armored Multipurpose Vehicle
GSA Lists Federal Acquisition Service Achievements in Fiscal 2016
Israel Receives First Two Lockheed-Built F-35s
Report: DHA to Oversee Service Branches’ Military Treatment Facilities by October 2018 Under 2017 NDAA
Vice Adm. Forrest Faison Discusses Modernization Strategy for Navy Community
MeriTalk: 69% of Federal Agencies Say Chief Data Officers Key to Big Data Management
Senate OKs $19.5B Bipartisan NASA Authorization Measure; Sen. Ted Cruz Comments
Commerce Department Expands Market for Digital Attache Program; Penny Pritzker Comments
FAA Eyes NextGen Data Comm Service Implementation at 56 Airports by Year’s End
Senate Clears Bipartisan Data Transparency Bill; Sen. Brian Schatz Comments
James Dickinson Confirmed to Head Army Space & Missile Defense Command
Danny Marti: White House Unveils Joint Strategic Plan on Intellectual Property Enforcement
US, Canada Unveil Joint Strategy to Secure North American Electric Grid Infrastructure
Trump Picks Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson for Secretary of State Post
Industry-Led Coalition to Invest $1B for Clean Energy Research; Ernest Moniz Comments
Marine Corps Conducts Energy Capability Exercise; Brian Magnuson Comments
Defense Department Updates Law of War Manual; Jennifer O’Connor Comments
Trump to Nominate Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry as DOE Secretary
Commerce Dept Adds New Members to Civil Nuclear Trade Advisory Committee; Penny Pritzker Comments
Woodrow Wilson Intl Center Issues Recommendations for Citizen Engagement Opportunities
Report: US to Call Off Precision-Guided Munitions Sale to Saudi Arabia
Capt. Andy Gibbons: Navy Begins MQ-25 UAV Integration With Aircraft Carriers
Bill Bender: Air Force Eyes New Senior Executive to Oversee IT Procurement Processes
DHS to Transition NSF-Funded Analytics Tool Into Commercial Market
Reuters: ODNI Does Not Support CIA Assessment of Russia’s Election-Related Cyber Attacks
House Strategic Forces Subcommittee Chair Mike Rogers Eyes Space Reorganization in 2017
CNAS: DoD Should Implement ‘Optionality Strategy’ to Maintain Technological Edge
Navy Secretary Ray Mabus Unveils 3 New Vessel Names
NASA Seeks to Double ISS Data Transfer Rates Via Updates to Space Network Ground Terminals
Commerce Dept: NOAA Renames Weather Satellite GOES-16 After Entry Into Geostationary Orbit
Ray Mabus Unveils New Operations Security Guidance
NASA to Demo a New De-Orbit Device for Payload Return Functions in 2017
Air Force’s Winston Beauchamp: Commercial Satcom Services Key to Military Satcom Security
ODNI: Intell Community to Publicly Release Findings of Election-Related Foreign Intrusion Review
Congress Authorizes GSA to Start Alabama Federal Courthouse Construction
Trump Picks Rep. Ryan Zinke to Head Interior Dept
Army HR Command Updates Online Tool to Support Enlisted Soldiers’ Career Devt
Tom Wheeler to Resign as FCC Chairman in January
MDA Fires SM-6 Missiles Against Medium-Range Ballistic Missile Target
20 Veterans Groups Ask Trump to Retain Bob McDonald as VA Secretary
GSA to Conduct Environmental, Transportation, Historic Preservation Studies for New Labor Dept HQ
NASA Kennedy Space Center Unveils New Ground Operations Demo Unit for Liquid Hydrogen
Navy Conducts Autonomous Patrol Missions Through Unmanned Small Boat Swarm
DoD IG: Dept Complies With 28 of 166 Open Cyber Recommendations
Reports: China’s Navy Seizes US Unmanned Undersea Drone
NIST Develops Subatomic-Scale Motion Detector for Robotic, Natl Security Uses
Bonneville Power Administration Kicks Off Search for New CIO, IT Executive VP
Trump Taps Rep. Mick Mulvaney as OMB Chief
Navy Unveils Microgrid Facility in Arizona
DOE’s Research Org to Invest $70M in Power Transportation, Carbon Storage Programs
Obama Signs Program Management Improvement & Accountability Act
Army Corps of Engineers Releases Proposed Water Supply Project Rule for Public Comment
Navy Plans Anti-Ship Missile Tests Via B-1B Bomber, F-18 Fighter Jets
DISA Plans New IT Group to House and Process Security Clearance Data
FBI, NIST to Add DNA Markers for Criminal Investigation Profiles
MDA’s Richard Matlock: US Should Consider Space-Based Missile Defense System
Reports: Navy Eyes Combat Fleet Size of 355 Ships
Trump Picks Virtu Financial Founder Vincent Viola as Army Secretary
Ray Mabus Talks Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship Program, Efforts to Increase Fleet Size
Reports: Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Plant Unveils Photos of Russia’s T-50 Fighter Jet
Lt. Gen. Chris Bogdan: F-35 Program Has Been On Schedule, On Budget Since 2011
DOJ: 3 Romanians Extradited and Charged With Cyber Fraud Conspiracy in US
NASA’s 8-Satellite Cyclone Surveillance System Reaches Orbit
Naval Research Lab Flies UAV With Custom-Built Hydrogen Fuel Cell
NASA Develops Tracking System for Firefighters Inside Buildings
Marine Corps to Acquire Smartphones for Mobility and Tactical Capacity Boost Effort
NASA Renames SSCO as Satellite Servicing Projects Division; Ben Reed Comments
UK Air Force Starts Post-Repair Sentry AWACS Flight Tests
Report: FBI, ODNI Agree With CIA Assessment on Russia’s Influence Over 2016 US Election
IT Alliance for Public Sector Asks Trump to Build Up Govt Cybersecurity Through IT Modernization, Acquisition Reforms
Defense Dept: China Gives Back Underwater Drone
Michael Johnson Steps Down from Energy CIO Role
2017 Defense Bill Includes War Cost Disclosure Provision
House Committee Report: DOJ, DHS Spent $95M on Cell-Site Simulators Over 4 Years
Andy Ozment to Step Down as DHS Assistant Secretary for Cybersecurity, Communications
DoD Memo: Incoming Administration Fails to Include Russia in Defense Priority List
Sen. Tom Carper: HQ Consolidation Could Save DHS $1B
NASA Uses ‘Space Laser’ to Observe Environmental Changes in Polar Food Webs
Ernest Moniz, Sen. Dick Durbin Name 1st Cohort of Argonne Lab Entrepreneurship Program
Agriculture Department Announces $32M in Natural Resources Protection Funding; Robert Bonnie Comments
GAO: Bid Protest Cases Rose 6% in Fiscal Year 2016
White House Report Examines Potential Economic Impact of AI-Driven Automation
VA Opens New Veteran Crisis Call Center in Atlanta; Sloan Gibson Comments
DoD Office Of Inspector General Lists Top Mgmt & Performance Challenges in FY 2017 Oversight Plan
Lt. Gen. Christopher Bogdan: F-35 JPO Eyes Follow-On Modernization Funds to Support Extended Flight Tests
Obama Signs Inspector General Empowerment Bill
Reports: Venture Capitalist Peter Thiel Eyes Addition of Industry Advocates to Trump’s NASA Transition Team
UK to Form New Defense Body to Manage Dreadnought Nuclear Submarine Program
NIST Seeks Proposals to Address Info Security Threat of Quantum Computers
Brig. Gen. William Cooley to Head Air Force Research Lab
Howard Shelanski: White House Releases Mobile App for Regulatory Status Check
DoD Selects ARMI to Lead Tissue Biofabrication Manufacturing Innovation Hub
DoD-Led Crowdsourcing Effort Draws in Ideas to Address Operational Challenges
DARPA Delivers 2 Mobius Bionics-Built Prosthetic Arms to Walter Reed; Justin Sanchez Comments
Report: US Returns 10,000-Acre Portion of Okinawa Training Ground to Japan
NASA Starts Wind Tunnel Tests for Scale Models of 2nd-Gen Space Launch System; John Blevins Comments
Trump Picks Navy Reserve Commander Sean Spicer as White House Press Secretary
Navy Unveils New UUV Mission Programming Method; Matthew Bays Comments
Deborah Lee James: Air Force Could Deploy F-35As to Europe in Near Future
NIST Unveils Cybersecurity Guide to Support Attacker Containment and Incident Recovery
Vladimir Putin: Russia Continues Efforts to Modernize Nuclear Forces in Support of Arms Control Agreements
Air Force Breaks Ground on New Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Solar Farm
Commerce Dept Identifies Focus Areas to Boost Export Opportunities for US Businesses
Harris’ Kenneth Parks: Battlefield Dominance Requires Integrated Electromagnetic Spectrum
Report: FBI Investigates China-Linked Cyber Breach at FDIC
Navy Forms New Detachment for Osprey Aircraft Crew Training
Ashton Carter: US, Japan Agree in Principle on Updates to Civilian Base Workers’ Rights
Report: Jason Miller Declines Appointment as White House Communications Director
US Marine Corps Completes Joint Training Exercise in Bulgaria; Norman Renfro Comments
GAO Urges CMS Acting Administrator to Unify Federal Program Requirements
Obama Clears $619B Defense Spending Legislation for Fiscal 2017
Grant Thornton: Survey Respondents Make Suggestions for Next Administration
Brandon Pustejovsky: USAID to Establish Data Library to Capture and Share Data from Contractors
Chinese Aircraft Carrier to Conduct Exercise in Western Pacific Ocean
Rear Adm. Tim Gallaudet: Navy Fields UUVs for Ocean Exploration Missions
Obama Moves to End ‘Dual-Hat’ Leadership of Cybercom, NSA
GAO Recommends Additional Actions for Resource Mgmt in Select Agencies
Trump Names Thomas Bossert Top Homeland Security & Counterterrorism Adviser
Larry Spencer: Air Force Should Have F-35s in ‘Sufficient Numbers’ to Keep Technological Edge
USDA to Invest $225M for Resource Conservation Push; Tom Vilsack Comments
US Navy Outlines Role in Defense Reform History
NOAA to Fund 11 Coastal Resiliency Projects; Eileen Sobeck Comments
White House Eyes Sanctions Against Russia for Presidential Election Interference
DHS S&T Explosives Unit Funds Oak Ridge Geospatial Tool Project
Korea Herald: North Korean Cyberattack Could ‘Paralyze’ US Pacom’s Control Center
Jeh Johnson: FY 2017 Defense Policy Bill Covers DHS ‘Unity of Effort’ Initiative
FAA Previews Flight Risk Assessment Tool Application’s Release
Report: Russia Claims US Defense Policy Bill Lifts Restrictions to Arm Syrian Rebels
CRS: US Led Global Conventional Arms Trade in 2015
Army Soldiers Undergo Security Force Assistance Course on Communication
FDA Releases Final Guidance on Postmarket Mgmt of Medical Device Cybersecurity
Army Soldiers Learn New Energy Mgmt Strategies for Rifle Marksmanship Test Preparation
Army Corps of Engineers to Lead Formerly Used Defense Sites Program Cleanup Effort
Gen. Daniel Allyn Signs Order to Boost Soldiers’ Personal Readiness & Resilience
IARPA-Backed Project Aims to Identify Potential Disease Outbreaks Via LED-Based Bug Trap
Transportation Dept Introduces Working Group on Small Community Air Service Members
Report: 2017 NDAA to Boost Laser Weapon Procurement Budget
Air Force, Engility to Audit 100+ C2 Systems for Cyber Vulnerabilities
Army to Evaluate Autonomous Wingman Capability of Combat Vehicles Through Tech Demonstrations
NASA, ESA Astronauts to Update ISS Power System Through Spacewalks
Marine Corps Eyes Increased Deployment of Robotic Systems
SAIC Report: Civilian Agency Should Assume Space Traffic Mgmt Work
Brig. Gen. Kevin Kennedy Appointed to Deputy Defense CIO Role in OSD
CRS: DoD’s R&D, Test & Evaluation Appropriations Hit $65.5B in Fiscal 2015
NDAA Provision Requires Operational Test & Evaluation of DoD’s Joint Regional Security Stacks
Karen Guice: Military Health System on New Trajectory
Trump Eyes Public-Private Option for Veteran Care
Army Security Assistance Command Registers $14.8B in New Business for FY 2016
Report: US Military Looks to Resume Mid-air Refueling Training in Japan
Some Airmen to Take Temporary Break From Military Service Under New Personnel Strategy
SBA to Start New Entrepreneurial Education Competition
ONC Seeks Online Generator for Health IT Privacy Info
GAO Asks SEC to Improve Cross-Divisional Collaboration, Develop Training for Hiring Specialist
Ellen Stofan Resigns as NASA’s Chief Scientist
Obama Administration Cites OPM’s National Background Investigations Bureau Among Security Clearance Reform Efforts
US Restarts Military Runway Construction in Henoko
White House Announces Sanctions Against Russia for Presidential Election Cyber Intrusions
Navy, Marine Corps Conclude Joint ‘Exercise Alligator Dagger’
OPM’s Beth Cobert OKs 1% Increase for All Title 5 Special Rate Pay Tables
FAA OKs North Dakota UAS Test Site for Beyond-Line-of-Sight Operations
Bruce Danly Appointed NRL Research Director; Rear Adm. David Hahn Comments
Marines to Implement Target Handoff System on Samsung Tablets
General Dynamics-Built USS Rafael Peralta Destroyer Completes Acceptance Trials
New York State Govt Updates Cyber Policies for Financial Institutions
OMB Recommends HHS Use DLA-DHA Military Medical Electronics Catalog
Professional Services Council Seeks Changes to Proposed DoD Technical Data Rule