The Fed Mission Success Round Up: Cybersecurity, Modernization, Procurement, and More in Federal Agencies

Written By Elle Newman

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. 

CISA Plans to Measure the Effect of Coming Standards on Industry’s Cybersecurity 

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency will spend the next three years measuring the success of the government’s effort to protect both publicly and privately controlled critical infrastructure from cyberattacks. 

Treasury Chief: IRS Modernization Is Coming Soon 

Treasury Secretary, Janet Yellen, laid out workforce and modernization priorities for the IRS as the IRS looks to spend the $80 billion infusion from Congress over the next decade. 

DOD Planning to Use NIST 800-171 As Evaluation Criteria for Contracts Prior To CMMC Rule 

While the Defense Department’s Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) 2.0 rule likely won’t be finalized and put into effect until next spring, defense contractors may soon have to show compliance with existing Federal standards for handling the department’s controlled unclassified information as part of the evaluation criteria for contracts. 

NIH Injects $130M to Provide Quality Tools, Data for AI in Medicine 

As part of the National Institutes of Health’s launch of the Bridge to Artificial Intelligence program—or Bridge2AI—the agency is investing $130 million over four years in an effort to increase the use of artificial intelligence in biomedical and behavioral research. 

Department of Transportation Investing $160 Million for Tech-Centric Projects 

As the Biden administration continues its overhaul of U.S. infrastructure, the Department of Transportation announced a new influx of funding specifically intended for technological upgrades within the nation’s transit systems.  

$160 million will be made available over the next five years to add new technology to two programs: the SMART Grants Program and the Advanced Transportation Technology and Innovation Program. 

GSA Opens Polaris to Next Set of Small-Business Bidders 

The General Services Administration has released the final solicitation for service-disabled and HUBzone small businesses to bid on the Polaris IT vehicle. 

Air Force Innovation Unit Posts RFI for Autonomy Prime Program 

AFWERX, the innovation arm of the Department of Air Force, has released a request for information for a new Prime program that seeks to accelerate the development and implementation of commercial autonomy technologies for military applications. 

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Elle Newman
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