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Cost Estimating NewsBrief: December 13, 2024
Inside the SEC’s AI approach: Spotting risks, building on machine-learning past
(FedScoop) When Dave Bottom needs directions, 99.9% of the time he’ll rely on whatever the navigation system he’s using tells him. But the Securities and Exchange Commission’s chief artificial intelligence and chief information officer didn’t always have that level of confidence in the technology — especially given his prior experience leading the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency’s IT services directorate, where he had a front-row seat to work on state-of-the-art mapping tech. Read More
NASA administrator reaches for the stars while navigating budgets and politics
(Space Daily) Leaders of NASA sit in an awkward position. While they are the head of a widely recognized organization, they’re often not the most famous individual in the agency. More people probably know the names of Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, the astronauts currently “stranded” on the International Space Station, than Bill Nelson, the current NASA administrator. Astronauts might be the people most closely associated with NASA, but administrators are arguably more integral to getting programs off the ground. Read More
NDAA to give DoD components more flexibility to procure cyber products
(Federal News Network) Under the House and Senate armed services committees’ compromise defense policy bill, Defense Department components would have more authority to purchase alternative cybersecurity products and services. The 2025 Defense Authorization bill, unveiled on Saturday, modifies a provision in the 2022 authorization law that required military services and defense agencies to procure all cyber products and services through a centralized program management office. Read More
Homeland Security: Actions Needed to Address Acquisition Workforce Challenges and Data
(US Government Accountability Office) The Department of Homeland Security spends billions of dollars each year to buy goods and services. But recruiting, retaining, and managing the workforce overseeing these procurements is a challenge. Most DHS acquisition staff we interviewed said that workload was the biggest challenge. For example, some staff had to fill multiple roles because they were short-staffed or other staff lacked adequate experience. And hiring new employees took longer than expected. DHS is working to resolve its workforce challenges, but doesn’t know if its efforts will address staff-identified concerns and issues. Read More
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