The Fed Mission Success Round Up: Acquisition, Modernization, and More in Federal Agencies
Welcome to the Fed Mission Success News Round Up brought to you by Makpar. Each week, we will provide a summary of actionable news and insights to help aid in overall mission success for Federal agency IT decision-makers and influencers.
Interior Issues Draft Cloud RFP Valued at up to $1B
The Interior Department is again going big on cloud computing. The department, through its U.S. Geological Survey, has issued a draft request for proposals for DOI-wide cloud services worth up to $1 billion through a single-award indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract. Individual task orders would be issued under the Cloud Hosting Solutions III contract for a variety of cloud services while empowering DOI bureaus.
GSA Shares Specs on Governmentwide Cloud BPA
The General Services Administration is providing more details on how it’s aiming to launch a new blanket purchase agreement for cloud commercial technologies that will serve as a major one-stop shop for the entire government.
IRS Closes in on Release of $2.6B Software Solicitation
The IRS is inching closer asking industry for support in a seven-year, $2.6 billion push to modernize some of its most critical functions while adding new options for taxpayers to interact securely with the tax agency.
DoD Issues Guidance on Inflation-Related Contract Price Adjustments
The Department of Defense (DoD) has released guidance to the contractor community on how to handle cost differences under different contract agreements as rising inflation rates have led to increased costs for contractors under existing agreements. DoD explained that with cost reimbursement-type contracts, the government bears most of the risk of increased costs, including those caused by inflation. On the other hand, contractors performing under firm-fixed-price (FFP) contracts must bear the risk of cost increases.
Federal Agencies Reach New Threshold of Cloud Adoption
Five years after the White House Office of Management and Budget shifted policy gears —from “Cloud First” to “Cloud Smart” — Federal agencies have reached a new threshold in cloud adoption, with two-thirds of Federal IT leaders saying their agency is now using, or starting to use, the cloud for “mission critical applications.
Data Governance is Key to Improving ‘Digital Awareness’
The Department of Veterans Affairs and the Social Security Administration are improving data governance as the agencies look to increase digital awareness and reduce technical debt.
USDA Launches Outreach Project for Key Nutrition Program
The Department of Agriculture is launching a new effort to shore up participation and retention in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, or WIC, a nutrition program for low-income moms and children.
FBI, DOJ Seize Website Addresses Associated Illegal Data Sales, Hacking Services
Federal law enforcement agencies have seized several internet domain names in pursuit of an international investigation into websites that permit users to buy stolen personal data and information or hack other networks.
From the Makpar Blog …
In case you missed it, here are our latest blog posts:
In the Wake of the Polaris Pause: Are GWACs the Best Way to Help Government? (Opinion)
Makpar Innovation Lab Embodies World Creativity and Innovation Day 2022
How To Agile Series: “Are Daily Stand-Ups Effective or Not?”
How Makpar Enables 508 Compliance Testing for Federal Agencies
Insights Into Federal Agile Transformation Q&A: How to be an Agile DevOps Leader
Privacy Versus Security: How Government Leadership can Strike the Right Balance
Data Privacy Day 2022: Cyber Trends to Look out for this Year
Insights Into Federal Agile Transformation Q&A: Deliver Value by Turning Epics Into User Stories
Makpar Insights Into Federal Agile Transformation: Multi-Team Cross Platform Integration
President Biden Executive Order (EO) Aims to Enhance Customers Experience
Makpar Cybersecurity Forum Video Podcast: “What’s My Attack Surface?”
Data, Cybersecurity and Digital Services Next Phase for IRS IT Modernization
FDA Enhancing IT Modernization Efforts with New Office of Digital Transformation
Internal Revenue Services Enhances Compute Power to Bolster Fraud Detection Efforts
The 5 “Whys” for Stronger Cyber Security Governance at Federal Agencies
Makpar’s Pragmatic Agile Approach to Developing Its Fraud Detection Analytics Dashboard
OPINION: Mentor-Protégé Programs Bring Further Value to Government
PODCAST: A Deeper Look at Makpar’s Fraud Detection Analytics Dashboard
How Data Virtualization Saves Agencies Significant Resources
Beyond Passwords: Identity Access Management in the Digital Age
Celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month with Asian Immigrant Contributions to Tech
Tips for Remote Agile Scrum Ceremonies: How to Optimize for Success
Increasing Federal IT Efficiency: How to Streamline the ATO Process Leveraging DevSecOps
How Agencies Can Score Quick Technology Modernization Fund (TMF) Victories
PODCAST: How the Federal Government can Overcome Barriers to Agile Transformation
CIO-SP4 BPA, BIC MAC, and POLARIS Contracts to Drive Further Government Innovation
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Data Security Win: Virginia is Second State in U.S. to Pass Data Protection Legislation
How Decentralized Decision Making Can Help Federal Agencies Adopt a More Agile Practice
4 Ways to Migrate a Workload to the Cloud for Federal Government Agencies
PODCAST: The SolarWinds Breach Points to Need for Cyber Fundamentals
In Response to The SolarWinds Breach: The Need to Return to Cybersecurity Fundamentals.
Is the Product Owner the Most Important Role in Government Agile Development?
Breaking Down Cultural Barriers to Cloud Adoption for Federal Government Agencies
Cybersecurity Best Practices for Federal Agencies, Small/Medium Businesses, and Individuals