GovConJudicata Weekly Debrief (10/4–8)

This week's Weekly Debrief covers continuous vetting of security clearance holders, NGA's view on data, increase in DoD IT spending, vaccine mandate for federal contractors, DoJ's cyber initiative targeting contractors, DoJ's recent FCA settlement with contractor on overbilling, and the Senate's proposed FISMA changes.

Defense

WashTimes – ‘Continuous vetting’: Pentagon to keep closer eye on troops, civilians, contractors

• "The Defense Department this week officially launched its new and expanded “continuous vetting” program for all troops, civilian employees and defense contractors, replacing the traditional system of periodic background checks with more in-depth monitoring that relies heavily on technology to flag suspicious behavior."

BreakingDefense – NGA Must ‘Treat Data As A Strategic Asset,’ Director Says

• "The explosion of available observational data about the Earth and human activity around the world is challenging the ability of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) to be able to make sense of it all — especially on the shortened timelines desired by warfighters, said the agency’s director, Vice Adm. Robert Sharp."

FCW – IT spend expected to trend up, acting DOD CIO says

• "Rising IT and cyber budgets may lay ahead as the Defense Department moves forward with implementing zero trust architecture and begins relying more on artificial intelligence."

Vaccine Mandate

GovExec – Federal Contractors and the Vaccine Mandate

• "Guidance from the Biden administration released recently announced that covered federal contractors and subcontractors must be vaccinated against COVID-19 and show proof of it by December 8, unless they are granted an exemption. As that date approaches, firms will have to navigate the ins and outs of the mandate."

Justice

FedNewsNet – DoJ’s new Civil Cyber-Fraud Initiative to hold contractors accountable for cybersecurity

• "The Justice Department is bringing the power of the False Claims Act to the growing challenge of cybersecurity. Government contractors now will face possible penalties for not doing enough to secure networks and systems that hold federal data."

Justice.gov – Government Contractor Agrees to Pay More Than $1 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Lawsuit for Overbilling in Federal Contracts

• "Airbus U.S. Space & Defense Inc., formerly known as Airbus Defense and Space Inc. (ADSI), has agreed to pay to the United States $1,043,475 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by billing impermissible fees in contracts with a number of federal agencies."

Senate

NextGov – Senate Committee Passes Major FISMA Changes—Including a New Definition of ‘Major Incident’

• "The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee approved legislation that seeks to overhaul how federal agencies and government contractors report on cyberattacks and guidance for defending against them."

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