CDC is seeking to understand contractors’ capabilities to provide electronically verifiable vaccination record and/or electronically verifiable test results for CDC personnel. In addition, CDC would like to understand contractors’ ability to import information on CDC personnel, provided by CDC systems, which drive access requirements.  CDC has travelers departing from various locations within the United States. CDC typically travels approximately 5,000 employees to foreign locations each year to a wide variety of locations. Click HERE to read more.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology plans to publish various volumes of its forthcoming Cybersecurity Practice Guide throughout 2022 and beyond.

A description of the practical steps needed to implement the cyber reference designs for zero-trust security, the guide will be the end result of NIST’s Implementing a Zero Trust Architecture Project. Click HERE to read more.

The U.S. Department of Defense’s (DoD’s) acquisition system has undergone significant reform. A recent Rand Corporation report suggests that DoD leaders manage the defense acquisition system (DAS) according to its ability to develop and produce capabilities that solve operational problems outlined in the 2018 National Defense Strategy (NDS), discuss why this perspective is warranted, and suggest steps that the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition & Sustainment (OUSD [A&S]) could take if it wishes to pursue this approach. Click HERE to read more.

The ongoing shortages in the semiconductor product supply chain are having an adverse impact on a wide range of industry sectors. With the goal of accelerating information flow across the various segments of the supply chain, identifying data gaps and bottlenecks in the supply chain, and potential inconsistent demand signals, the Department of Commerce is seeking responses from interested parties (including domestic and foreign semiconductor design firms, semiconductor manufacturers, materials and equipment suppliers, as well as semiconductor intermediate and end-users). Please click HERE to read the notice.

DOD officials said continuing resolutions can delay their ability to pay for goods or services and can lead to repetitive administrative tasks or incremental planning. We found DOD has practices to minimize the effects of this kind of funding. For example, the military services may postpone contracts or nonessential training early in the year—when they’re more likely to be under a continuing resolution. Click HERE to read more.

On Sept. 8, 2021, Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks signed into effect updated guidance for the procurement and operation of its Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS).  In support of the National Defense Strategy, this updated policy provides expanded department-wide guidance on the use of all UAS, regardless of size, weight, or capability. Click HERE to read more.

The President recently announced an executive order related to federal employees and COVID vaccination requirements. The text of the order can be found by clicking HERE.

The President recently announced an executive order related to federal contractors and COVID safety protocols. The text of the order can be found by clicking HERE.

In a bid protest decision released on August 27, 2021, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has resolved a long-simmering question regarding joint ventures and facilities clearances. Click HERE to read more.

Understanding the costs for weapons purchased by the military will be even more difficult due to a single sentence buried deep within the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2020. That sentence eliminated the selected acquisition reports, one of the best tools available to see the overall cost of a weapons program. Click HERE to read more.