Nextgov

Government’s IT Watchdog on the Tech Challenges He Leaves Behind

After 16 years, the Government Accountability Office’s IT Director Dave Powner has seen federal technology improve but here’s what he hopes agencies and Congress continue to work on.

Management

SpaceX Pulls Ahead of Boeing in the Race to Fly American Astronauts

NASA says both companies are behind schedule—but one is closer to the finish line.

Nextgov

How A Human Resources System Could Revolutionize the Army

Army program managers took a mandate to upgrade the service’s payment systems and turned it into a way to unearth soldiers’ hidden talents.

Tech

Too Much of a Good Thing at NASA

The agency’s culture of optimism is essential for launching people and robots into space. But it can lead to problems with budgets and deadlines.

Nextgov

DHS Stands Up New Cyber Risk Center to Protect High-Value Targets

The center will free up NCCIC to work on cyber threat sharing and incident response, officials say.

Nextgov

VA is Rethinking Its Entire Online Presence

The Veterans Affairs Department wants to know what it would take to create a one-stop online shop for veteran services.

Nextgov

Senators Want to Double Funding for Putting Commercial Drones in the Air

A bipartisan amendment would double 2019 funding for FAA’s efforts to integrate drones into national airspace.

Defense

Pentagon To Start Creating Space Force — Even Before Congress Approves It

Within months, Defense will start standing up a new combatant command, a new space-procurement agency, and a new Space Operations Force.

Nextgov

Supply Chain Cybersecurity a Major Legislative Priority for House Homeland

The committee wants to broaden DHS’ authority to kick questionable contractors off government networks.

Nextgov

Trump Picks Marine Vet To Take Over Veterans Affairs IT

If confirmed, James Gfrerer would step into a difficult job, as IT is at the center of VA’s mandate to modernize.  

Tech

Who Should Pay for the Mistakes on NASA’s Next Big Telescope?

The space agency has always coughed up the extra cash, but some politicians wonder if the contractor responsible for major errors should pitch in.

Nextgov

NASA Wants to Know If Space Travel Affects Plant and Animal Evolution

The agency is laying the groundwork for long-term human missions to the Moon, Mars and beyond.

Nextgov

Bill Would Force Agencies to Honor FedRAMP Authorizations

The FedRAMP Reform Act would codify the program, as well as the “authorize once, use many” mantra.

Nextgov

Shoddy IT is Limiting FEMA's Ability to Respond to Disasters, IG Says

Some of the outstanding recommendations go back to 2005, just after Hurricane Katrina.

Nextgov

NSA Hasn’t Implemented Post-Snowden Security Fixes, Audit Finds

The spy agency also fell short on numerous information security requirements, according to its first public audit overview.

Nextgov

Bidding Begins for Pentagon's Controversial $10 Billion War Cloud

Despite some industry clamor, the Defense Department will stick to a single cloud provider for its JEDI cloud contract.