FedScoop

MAY 20, 2024

A Department of Homeland Security team dedicated to deterring the use of weapons of mass destruction is now studying how artificial intelligence could exacerbate these kinds of threats. In the wake of a report announced last month, one of the top officials with that office is pointing to a series of potential strategies to confront the ways AI tools could be deployed — even inadvertently — to synthesize dangerous chemical and biological materials.

Evaluation 142

Evaluation Export Collaboration Data 142

FedTech Magazine

MAY 28, 2024

The Technology Modernization Fund jump-started two major projects of the National Archives and Records Administration that will improve customer and employee experiences. With $9.1 million in TMF funds, NARA will upgrade two outdated IT systems no longer supported by its vendor with new cloud-based software. The new applications improve efficiencies and provide veterans and their families — and hundreds of federal agencies — with faster, more reliable and secure access to records.

Efficiency 138

Efficiency IT 138

Open Contracting Partnership

MAY 6, 2024

Thanks to a small grant from Schmidt Futures , we had the opportunity to experiment with applying artificial intelligence technologies to green public procurement. With so many actors in our field talking about AI more generally, this blog post is meant as a gentle introduction to getting started on applying AI in practice. The goal is to increase the understanding of AI in public procurement – by discussing the key decisions we had to make about our approach.

Procurement 132

Procurement Public Procurement Green Public Procurement Tender 132

GovCon Wire

MAY 1, 2024

By Warren Linscott, Senior Vice President & Chief Product Officer at Deltek Over my career, I’ve closely followed the growth paths of small businesses in the government contracting space. I’ve seen several behaviors and practices that contributed to successfully growing their business.

Government Contracts 131

Government Contracts Contract Government Government 131

Speaker: Jeff Dickinson - President and CEO of Railgistixs Transport, Supply Chain and Logistics Thought Leader

Despite the ongoing transformation of the supply chain and logistics landscape, the steadfast importance of carrier safety remains a core principle. From prioritizing preventative maintenance to optimizing fleet utilization, the fundamentals persist. If you’re overlooking and neglecting essential safety precautions today, this could result in expensive repairs and potential safety hazards in the future. 🚧 Join Jeff Dickinson for a conversation on how to mitigate risk, enforce compliance,

Logistics

Whistleblower Network News

MAY 13, 2024

Since the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced it was engaging in a “90-day sprint” to develop a whistleblower awards program, whistleblower advocates in the U.S. have called on the DOJ to implement proven best practices for the program. Now anti-corruption groups from over twenty countries have joined in the call, noting that the program will have a massive transnational reach.

Corruption 129

Corruption Networking IT Government 129

AWS Public Sector

MAY 30, 2024

Within the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, the Division of Medication Error Prevention and Analysis (DMEPA) plays a critical role. DMEPA reviews premarket and postmarket drug labeling to minimize the risk of medication errors. In partnership with FDA’s DMEPA team, Amazon Web Services (AWS) Partner ICF is developing a machine learning (ML) prototype known as the Computerized Labeling Assessment Tool (CLAT).

Efficiency 128

Efficiency Evaluation Collaboration Innovation 128

Federal News Network

MAY 14, 2024

When it comes to software development, the Army is going to stop worrying about the color of money. That’s because as part of its new approach to software modernization, the Army is rethinking what sustainment means. Margaret Boatner is the deputy assistant secretary of the Army for strategy and acquisition reform, said one of the main tenets of the policy signed by Army Secretary Christine Wormuth in March is to reform several legacy processes that is keeping the service from adopting modern so

Sustainability 122

Sustainability Evaluation Inventory IT 122

ExecutiveBiz

MAY 1, 2024

Victor Foulk, vice president of emerging technologies at CGI Federal, said chief AI officers and other federal agency leaders should consider three principles as they design and implement their artificial intelligence programs to strike a balance between mission execution and performance and security risks of implementing AI tools.

Balance 117

Balance 117

GovCon Wire

MAY 8, 2024

Amentum CEO John Heller accepted his 2024 Wash100 Award during a recent meeting with Jim Garrettson, CEO of Executive Mosaic and founder of the recognition. Each year, Wash100 highlights the most esteemed leaders in the government contracting industry.

Evaluation 122

Evaluation Government Contracts Contract Government 122

Whistleblower Network News

MAY 8, 2024

The recently established Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Whistleblower Program has “received over 270 unique tips” and “many of the tips received have been highly relevant to many of Treasury’s top priorities” according to Andrea Gacki , Director of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). On May 6, Andrea Gacki gave prepared remarks at the SIFMA AML Conference where she spoke about the new whistleblower program, which was reformed into a best-practice whistleblower program by the passage

Corruption 125

Corruption Networking Import IT 125

AWS Public Sector

MAY 31, 2024

Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) is the process of optimizing the output of a large language model (LLM). It references an authoritative knowledge base outside of its training data sources before generating a response. A RAG -based solution lets organizations jumpstart generative artificial intelligence (AI) applications with faster and more cost-effective ways to inject fresh, trusted data into foundation models (FMs), making generative AI easier for businesses to onboard.

Evaluation 128

Evaluation Data Efficiency Integrity 128

FedScoop

MAY 22, 2024

More than 100 Google commercial cloud services recently received FedRAMP High authorizations, including its Vertex AI platform and other artificial intelligence capabilities, the company announced Wednesday. Google has several services — as well as its underlying commercial cloud infrastructure — that have previously received FedRAMP High authorizations.

Distribution 134

Distribution Finance Demand Data 134

Federal News Network

MAY 17, 2024

As discussed previously in this FAR and Beyond blog, the General Services Administration (GSA) has proposed to amend the Competition in Contracting Act (CICA) of 1984 to adjust the statutory authority for the Federal Supply Schedule (Schedule) program by clarifying what constitutes “competitive procedures” under the law. Currently, the Schedule program is deemed a competitive procedure if participation is open to all responsible sources and orders and contracts under the program result in th

Price 119

Price Negotiation Participation Innovation 119

GovLoop

MAY 7, 2024

In May, we celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month. The observance began in — hold onto your hats — 1949! While that makes it 75 years old, many people and organizations might just be recognizing it for the first time. That’s an important step to take, because healthy employees are productive and happy, and mental health matters. The National Alliance on Mental Illness ( NAMI ) reports that one in five adults will experience a mental health challenge each year, but only half of that group will r

Import 116

Import IT Leadership 116

GovCon Wire

MAY 16, 2024

SAIC’s Hilary Hageman grew up in Southeast Asia and Africa and witnessed the political instability that threatened her family’s safety in many of the countries in which she lived. She quickly gained an appreciation for the safety provided by the U.S.

119

119

Whistleblower Network News

MAY 10, 2024

As the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) continues on its 90-day policy sprint to develop a whistleblower award program , whistleblower advocates are pushing on the agency to implement proven best-practices found in other whistleblower programs. In a new piece for NYU Law’s Program on Corporate Compliance and Enforcement , leading whistleblower attorney Stephen M.

Networking 119

Networking IT 119

AWS Public Sector

MAY 22, 2024

In May 2022, the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), the second-largest school district in the US, encountered a problem. The COVID-tracking and health data system built for the district during the COVID-19 pandemic had become clunky, difficult to customize, and expensive to maintain. With more than 500,000 students in the system, LAUSD administrators wanted to lower the cost of their infrastructure technology to redirect funds toward supporting teachers and students with classroom reso

Data 126

Data Education Collaboration Price 126

FedScoop

MAY 3, 2024

Technology breakthroughs and U.S. leadership in research and development are hindered due to poor R&D infrastructure across the federal government, according to a new report from the White House. Released Thursday by the Office of Science and Technology Policy , the National Science and Technology (NSTC) subcommittee on Research and Development Infrastructure said in its report that old and “inadequate” infrastructure at the federal level is responsible for agencies’ inability to “meet their

Collaboration 135

Collaboration Leadership Evaluation Government 135

Federal News Network

MAY 7, 2024

Nearly 80 people in the past three years have been killed in crashes involving trucks hired by the Postal Service. Lawmakers contend that is an incomplete picture of the data. The House passed the Mail Traffic Deaths Reporting Act., which would require USPS to collect, track and publicly report all deaths from vehicles transporting mail. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) introduced the bill.

Data 119

Data Transportation Transportation Category Management 119

ExecutiveBiz

MAY 21, 2024

Ericsson will invest an additional $50 million in its smart factory in Lewisville, Texas, to expand production and meet the increasing demand for U.S.-built 5G products.

Demand 111

Demand IT 111

GovCon Wire

MAY 9, 2024

The ever-increasing pace of technological advancement has put pressure on the Department of Defense to ramp up its exploration of 5G, a technology that plays a major role in today’s digitally-driven battlefield.

IT 119

IT 119

Whistleblower Network News

MAY 7, 2024

[link] In this special episode of of the Whistleblower of the Week podcast , host Jane Turner speaks with leading whistleblower attorney Stephen M. Kohn , founding partner of Kohn, Kohn & Colapinto and Chairman of the Board of National Whistleblower Center , about the Department of Justice’s ongoing development of a new whistleblower award program.

Corruption 115

Corruption Import Networking IT 115

AWS Public Sector

MAY 31, 2024

The US Federal Government has endless opportunity to lead the way as well as adopt best practices for how the latest technologies, including generative artificial intelligence (AI) , can be leveraged to fulfill its various missions. I’m curious, like many of you, about the opportunities technology provides for National Security in today’s current state.

Government 123

Government Government Leadership Innovation 123

FedScoop

MAY 13, 2024

NASA has named David Salvagnini, the space agency’s chief data officer, as its chief artificial intelligence officer, fulfilling a requirement laid out in recent White House guidance and President Joe Biden’s executive order on AI. In a press release , NASA said that Salvagnini will help lead the agency’s work on developing AI technology, as well as its collaborations with academic institutions and other experts.

Inventory 132

Inventory Collaboration Data Import 132

Federal News Network

MAY 7, 2024

It is that most magical time of the year. Appropriations arriving six months late for the current fiscal year and Congress futzing over next year’s budget, which will also arrive late. For an expert’s take on what contractors need to do, the Federal Drive with Tom Temin spoke with federal sales and marketing consultant Larry Allen. Interview Transcript: Tom Temin And this is becoming routine.

Innovation 115

Innovation Budget Contract Government 115

ExecutiveBiz

MAY 22, 2024

Artificial intelligence and cloud technologies are advancing faster than ever, opening up exciting new opportunities for innovation. In this Executive Spotlight interview, we spoke with Kevin Heald, managing director of Accenture Federal Services’ National Security portfolio, to learn more about how AI, cloud and other emerging technologies are shaping the cyber landscape and the GovCon ecosystem.

Innovation 111

Innovation Management 111

GovCon Wire

MAY 24, 2024

The ability to quickly exchange information is a determining factor of success on today’s battlefield, and achieving seamless connectivity requires a strong arsenal of network technologies. Advancing these capabilities has become a core part of the Department of Defense’s modernization strategy in recent years, and its FutureG Office is leading these efforts.

Networking 115

Networking IT 115

Whistleblower Network News

MAY 17, 2024

For the first time, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) awarded a whistleblower after the whistleblower appealed a denial before the U.S. Court of Appeals. On April 3, the SEC issued an order granting a whistleblower award of more than $2,000,000 to one whistleblower and an award of over $400,000 to another. Both whistleblowers voluntarily provided original information which contributed to a successful enforcement action.

Capacity 113

Capacity Networking IT 113

Art of Procurement

MAY 9, 2024

Procurement 6 is a short podcast from Art of Procurement that publishes in the Art of Procurement feed every Friday. The post Procurement 6 – May 10th, 2024 appeared first on Art of Procurement.

Procurement 111

Procurement 111

FedScoop

MAY 15, 2024

A bipartisan Senate working group focused on artificial intelligence released a policy roadmap Wednesday, highlighting multiple areas where it says there’s consensus, such as increasing federal research funding. The roadmap outlines policy areas the working group believes “merit bipartisan consideration” and summarizes findings from that group’s insight forums held last year with AI leaders from industry, academia and advocacy groups.

Government 132

Government Government Accountability Innovation 132

Federal News Network

MAY 16, 2024

Sometimes federal procurements don’t go according to the rules. Sometimes its worse, when bribes and kickbacks come into play. That’s what the Justice Department’s Procurement Collusion Strike Force tries to discover and prosecute. Now the strike force is expanding, with four new members. For details, the Federal Drive with Tom Temin spoke with the Dan Glad, the director of the Strike Force.

Collusion 111

Collusion Bid Rigging Procurement IT 111

ExecutiveBiz

MAY 21, 2024

Mike Fluharty currently serves as president and a managing partner at True Zero Technologies, a veteran-owned small business with a wide portfolio of cybersecurity offerings. His interest in technology began during his college years, and his first career position at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services solidified his passion for the field.

Management 111

Management 111

GovCon Wire

MAY 23, 2024

Data is the new gold, according to GovCon industry executives and leaders. And as organizations see more and more data, the need to process, understand and leverage it becomes increasingly important.

Import 115

Import Data Government Government 115

Whistleblower Network News

MAY 21, 2024

According to a new study , more than 80% of financial professionals who have witnessed or suspected financial crime have chosen to stay silent and not blow the whistle, with nearly half of those respondents citing a fear of retaliation as a key reason why. The results of the study, conducted by Censuswide, were announced in connection with a group of financial whistleblowers reclaiming derogatory terms used against whistleblowers.

Whistle-blowing 111

Whistle-blowing Media Networking Import 111

SmallGovCon

MAY 8, 2024

When a government employee moves from a federal agency to a private contractor, this sort of revolving door can lead to concerns that contractor hiring the ex-agency employee is getting special treatment. To avoid this concern, the ex-agency will sometimes bar the contractor from competing. In a recent case, the Navy did just that and a court had to review if the Navy made a reasonable decision.

Contract 110

Contract Procurement Bidder Government Contracts 110

FedScoop

MAY 8, 2024

The Environmental Protection Agency would be required to update the legacy IT platform it uses to store air quality data systems under new legislation in the House. The “ Clean Air in the Cloud Act ,” introduced Tuesday by Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., pushes the EPA to update the IT system for storing AirNow and the Air Quality System (AQS). The bill’s requirements come directly from recommendations in a September 2023 Government Accountability Office study that Connolly requested.

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Quality Data IT Utilities 132