Defense
The Pentagon Is Killing a Key Independent-Research Program
For decades, JASON studies helped DOD and other agencies get outside perspectives on scientific and technical topics.
Nextgov
GAO Will Pour $15 Million Into New Tech Assessment Office in 2020
The Science and Technology Assessment and Analytics team aims to build lawmakers’ understanding of emerging technologies and weigh in on tech-centric policies.
Tech
What Spy-Satellite Companies Can Teach NASA About Climate Change
The space agency is exploring what three Earth-observation start-ups can teach it about the planet.
Nextgov
Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Curb Algorithmic Bias
The Algorithmic Accountability Act would force companies to check whether their tech is making biased, inaccurate, discriminatory or otherwise unfair decisions.
Defense One
'Space Force' Windfall Unclear for Eager Defense Companies
At Space Symposium, satellite makers big and small say they’re seeing the Pentagon awarding contracts faster, but still aren’t sure what to expect.
Nextgov
NIST Expands Hiring Authorities for Top-Level Tech Talent
The standards-setting agency is making it easier for hiring managers to onboard IT managers, engineers and scientists through new direct hiring authorities.
Nextgov
Pentagon Says No JEDI Conflict, Narrows Field to AWS and Microsoft
The Pentagon’s Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure cloud contract could be awarded by mid-July.
Nextgov
Cloud Success Starts at the Top
Top-down support is “game-changer” for innovation efforts, federal tech leaders said.
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