Tech

Education Department begins testing of new FAFSA form

The first of four testing periods for the online federal student aid application began on Tuesday with six community-based organizations.

VA officials say they can finish the digital GI Bill platform without more delays, cost overruns

Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-Wis.,​​ said the Department of Veterans Affairs is “batting zero” when it comes to finishing major IT modernization projects on time and within budget.

VA offers veterans nationwide access to emergency telehealth care

The department said the new tele-emergency care resource will allow veterans to connect with clinical triage nurses for timely medical evaluations.

FBI’s Carahsoft raid comes amid allegations of price-fixing

The leading IT reseller is in the middle of an ongoing False Claims Act case involving multiple vendors.

Updated

FBI raids government IT and cyber contractor Carahsoft

The FBI confirmed the raid but declined to provide further details.

Expedited STEM and cybersecurity hiring authority extended

OPM grants direct hire authority to agencies when there’s a lack of candidates or major hiring needs.

Agencies score a record number of A's on the latest Federal IT Acquisition Reform Act scorecard

GAO Information Technology and Cybersecurity Director Carol Harris said the biannual review has saved the government a total of roughly $31.4 billion since it first began in 2005.

GAO to unveil its findings on outdated FAA tech systems

The congressional watchdog's forthcoming report will examine legacy air traffic control systems and the agency’s modernization efforts.

CISA issues guide to help federal agencies set cybersecurity priorities

The guidance comes as federal civilian agencies are closing in on zero trust deadlines looming at the end of the current fiscal year.

Senate Dems ask OMB for more regulations, support to mitigate algorithm bias

Sens. Ed Markey and Chuck Schumer are seeking updated guidance and organizational structures to prevent artificial intelligence from discrimination.

As wildfires burn throughout the West, officials are turning to AI

In California, fire officials began using artificial intelligence last year to scan cameras for smoke.

White House leads public-private commitment to curb AI-based sexually abusive material

Leading private sector companies signed voluntary agreements with the White House to train and monitor their AI models to avoid such misuse.

Agencies have met all AI mandates for management and talent, watchdog says

The Government Accountability Office said agencies’ compliance with 13 key AI benchmarks in the 2023 executive order “is likely to increase AI expertise in high-priority areas quickly and more efficiently.”

Could an easy radio fix have prevented the Trump assassination attempt?

“Being able to talk to other agencies real-time certainly would assist in that response,” one official said.

White House cyber czar launches a new hiring sprint 

The federal government’s main occupational series for IT jobs saw 3,000 open positions in fiscal 2024.

NSF launches AI-driven biotech research program

The National Science Foundation is funding five projects within its new BioFoundries program, which aims to use artificial intelligence to accelerate research in biosciences.