Posted by
Cost Estimating NewsBrief: August 1, 2025
GAO Study Reveals Increased Generative AI Use by Federal Agencies
(ExecutiveGov) The report, titled Artificial Intelligence: Generative AI Use and Management at Federal Agencies, determined that AI use across 11 federal agencies increased from 571 to 1,110 instances, while use of generative AI jumped from 32 to 282 usage cases. GAO also determined that generative AI has the potential to enhance written communication and boost efficiency in accessing information and tracking program status. The Department of Veterans Affairs has begun automating medical imaging processes to bolster diagnostic services for veterans, while the Department of Health and Human Services has leveraged generative AI to contain poliovirus by gathering data from publications regarding supposedly polio-free areas. Read More
GSA to Launch GO.gov Website to Enhance Federal Travel Management
(ExecutiveGov) The General Services Administration has introduced GO.gov, a new website developed by IBM to enhance federal travel management. The centralized OneGov travel service initiative will officially launch in November, the agency said Tuesday. GO.gov will provide federal agencies with modern capabilities to enhance their operations, including streamlining booking and authorization processes, managing expenses, creating reports, and other tasks. The unified travel management service, which will integrate with travel management companies, is also designed to offer a more intuitive experience for travelers. Read More
North Dakota’s ‘aviation spirit’ lives on through drones
(Route Fifty) After severe storms and tornadoes descended on North Dakota last month, resulting in the deaths of three people and widespread damage to the state’s agriculture industry, drones have played a big role in dealing with the aftermath. Tornadoes, hail and gusts of up to 100 miles per hour left thousands without power, while fields and agricultural equipment — crucial for the state’s economy — were left in various degrees of disrepair. In response, four drone pilots mobilized from the Northern Plains UAS Test Site in Grand Forks along with 150 volunteers to assess the damage to various fields, find any debris that needed removing and locate any items that may have gone missing. Read More
Defense Department opts to not end satellite data for storm forecasts
(Space Daily) The U.S. Defense Department won’t end the dispersal of key satellite weather data on Friday as planned. One month ago, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration published a notice about the change by the U.S. Navy, effective July 1. Then NOAA said the change would be delayed by one month until Thursday. In an update posted Wednesday, the phase-out plans were pushed back one year. “The Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center (FNMOC) has announced plans to continue distribution of Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) data beyond July 31, 2025,” the update said. “As a result, there will be no interruption to DMSP data delivery.” Read More
ICEAA’s NewsBrief is a collection of articles relevant to the cost estimating and analysis community that is delivered weekly to current ICEAA members. To advertise in NewsBrief, contact iceaa@iceaaonline.org.