Tech
Shanahan Touts Unity in Space-Force Pitch, But Disagreements Clearly Remain
It’s a key week for proponents of the Trump administration’s space reorganization — and their detractors.
Nextgov
When it Comes to Cloud Migration, Leave the Junk Behind
Not doing so will drive up cost and delay modernization, Army IT official Thomas Sasala said.
Nextgov
CIA Considering Cloud Contract Worth ‘Tens of Billions’
The agency is hungry for more commercial cloud.
Nextgov
OPM Wants AI Bots To Decipher Government Legalese
The agency wants natural language processing bots that any employee can customize and deploy without significant tech skills.
Tech
Sorry, Florida, Looks Like You’re Not Getting U.S. Space Command
Despite lobbying, Sunshine State left off shortlist for command’s new headquarters.
Nextgov
The Private Sector is Trying to Bring More Cyber Experts to Government
Mastercard, Microsoft, Workday and the Partnership for Public Service launched an initiative that would place highly qualified grads in cyber jobs at federal agencies.
Oversight
Congress Is About to Ban the Government From Offering Free Online Tax Filing. Thank TurboTax.
A bill supported by Democrats and Republicans would make permanent a program that bars the IRS from ever developing its own online tax filing service.
Tech
The US Army Wants AI to Read Soldiers’ Minds
A new study from the Army Research Lab may help AI-infused weapons and tools better understand their human operators.
Nextgov
Scientists Predict Weak Sun Activity During Next Solar Cycle
Low solar activity should mean relatively calm space weather for the next 11 years.
Nextgov
NASA Makes First Award on GSA’s Massive $50 Billion Telecom Contract
With security authorizations trickling in, the space agency awarded a $10.5 million contract to support its core services.
Nextgov
FDA Proposes Regulations for AI-Powered Medical Devices
Because AI retrains itself over time, the administration wants to keep tabs on what’s happening under the hood.
Nextgov
DHS Cyber Chief is Ready to Update Federal Tech Hiring
The department is preparing to roll out a new personnel system that will let officials “hire people based on their skill sets, not what’s on a piece of paper,” said Chris Krebs.
Nextgov
Senate Bill Promises Retaliation If Russia Again Meddles in Elections
The bill would force the U.S. to sanction Russian industries.
Nextgov
114 Lawmakers Push to Fund Clean Energy Research
The group wants $500 million for the Energy Department’s advanced research projects agency, which would be eliminated under the White House’s 2020 budget request.
Nextgov
VA Won’t Delay Launch of Private Care Software Tool Despite Reported Flaws
The tech will go live on June 6 even if it’s operating “at 70 percent or 50 percent,” said Secretary Robert Wilkie.
Nextgov
USDA Launches New Features on Farmers.gov
The site’s latest functions will enable America’s agriculture producers to better manage loans and the H-2A visa process.
Nextgov
After CIO No-Show, Congress Not Confident in VA’s IT Shop
The Veterans Affairs Department earned no goodwill when it declined to testify before a House Veterans’ Affairs subcommittee.
Nextgov
OPM Is Giving CIOs More Direct Hiring Authority But Plans To Keep A Watchful Eye
The administration has been gathering feedback on giving agency CIOs more power over direct hiring authorities and plans to publish the final rule soon.
Nextgov
Interior Doubled Its Use of Drones in 2018
The agency flew more than 10,000 unmanned missions to survey federal land, monitor wildlife and respond to natural disasters.
Nextgov