GovConJudicata Weekly Debrief (6/5–9)

This week's Weekly Debrief covers new legislation regarding AI in government, Russian oligarch's investments in U.S. contractors, Energy's $45 billion Hanover nuclear waste contract, sustainability in contracting, and IT contracting at the VA.

Congress

FCW – Are government decisions being made by AI? Lawmakers want to mandate disclosure

• "A bipartisan trio of senators introduced a new bill Thursday they say is meant to ensure that government decisions deemed “critical” — like those related to employment, financial assistance, healthcare or government benefits — that are made with automated systems come with disclosures about the use of said systems and appeal rights."

Russia

Forbes – Russian Oligarch Roman Abramovich Invested In Startups That Received U.S. Government Contracts

• "In July 2017, the cofounders of Kiana Analytics, a real-time location services startup based in Sunnyvale, California, were looking for investors. The firm was seeking early-stage funding, pitching convertible notes—a type of debt that converts to equity—to potential investors."

Energy

Tri-City Herald – Is no bidder eligible for $45B Hanford nuclear waste contract? ‘Significant’ issues raised

• "Neither bidder for a new $45 billion contract awarded at the Hanford nuclear reservation may have been registered as required to bid on the contract, says the Department of Justice. It has asked a federal judge in a lawsuit filed by the losing bidder to send the matter back to the Department of Energy to address that issue and possibly others."

Sustainability

NextGov – Government buyers need training to go green, panel says

• "The Biden administration wants U.S. federal government operations to have net-zero emissions by 2050 — as laid out in a 2021 executive order — and officials say that the government’s purchasing power will be a big part of that."

VA

FedNewsNet – The era of ‘big bang’ IT projects at VA is over

• "Not enough new entrants. A lack of accountability. Too many modifications to existing contracts and not enough new awards. The Veterans Affairs Department got an earful from House lawmakers last month over its IT contracting habits. The trends highlighted by the Government Accountability Office and House Veterans Affairs Committee members were not necessarily surprising to VA officials, but nonetheless worrisome."

. . .

#govcon