Federal Newscast

Thursday federal headlines – April 21, 2016

In a recent request for information, the Coast Guard is asking vendors for input on how they would protect the service's data and secure its systems.

Federal News Network Staff

April 21, 2016 7:50 am

3 min read

The Federal Headlines is a daily compilation of the stories you hear discussed on the Federal Drive.

The Coast Guard wants to transform its technology networks. In a recent request for information, the Coast Guard has asked vendors for input on how they would protect the service’s data and secure its systems. The Coast Guard also wants to know how contractors would provide a flexible, cloud-based infrastructure. And it wants to know how contractors could help reduce its spending on infrastructure by as much as 20 percent. The Coast Guard will hold an industry day on the RFI April 26. (FBO)

Understaffing and communication failures were the main causes for the 2014 White House gate jumping incident. This is according to a report recently released from the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General. It found the Secret Service was 96 officers below its authorized number on the day of the incident, and they couldn’t apprehend him because of problems with their radio equipment. The IG made 14 recommendations to improve operations. (DHS OIG)

NASA is looking for new ways to do lots of space missions, including housing astronauts in deep space. It issued a solicitation for studies and technologies in habitation, advanced propulsion and small satellites. With the Orion spacecraft and Space Launch System gearing up for their flight in 2018, NASA said it now wants to invest in making sure people can survive comfortably in deep space. (NASA)

Some members of Congress want to make it easier for people with criminal records to apply for federal jobs. More than 50 House members signed a letter asking the Office of Personnel Management to adopt so-called “Ban the Box” policies. This would stop federal employers from asking applicants about their criminal history on initial job applications.

The FAA has quietly advanced commercial drone operations. After a 16-month review process, FAA certified one company to operate industrial surveillance drones at night. The Wall Street Journal reports, the U.S. division of Toronto-based Industrial Skyworks will now be able to do inspections of buildings, roofs and towers after dark. It’s a big shift in policy for the FAA as it responds to growing demands by commercial drone operators. Nighttime drone flights must be done within sight of the operator.

Trouble already for a pay-raise provision in the defense authorization bill for 2017. Susan Davis (D-Calif.), the ranking Democrat member on the Military Personnel Subcommittee, said too big a boost in active-duty military pay could jeopardize readiness funding. Davis said the committee has not found a way to pay for the increase. Davis said she’s also worried about a provision in the bill that will increase active troop levels by 27,000. (Federal News Radio)

Federal officials said the government operates with too many cybersecurity gaps. Last year the Homeland Security Department started requiring agencies to patch vulnerabilities with a month of finding them. After 10 months, 39 of the more than 360 at-risk cases remain open. DHS attributed the problem to agencies using old systems and software. Smaller agencies are having a harder time because they don’t have the funding or technical expertise needed to modernize their IT systems. (Federal News Radio)

The Office of Personnel Management wants agencies to focus more on closing six governmentwide skills gaps. It said the government has too few cybersecurity experts, STEM professionals, economists, auditors, HR specialists, and acquisition experts. Acting OPM Director Beth Cobert said agencies should come up with a plan for closing the skills gaps unique to their own specific missions. She said agency chief human capital officers will work together to come up with a strategy for addressing mission critical occupations that are risk. (Federal News Radio)