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Cost Estimating NewsBrief: December 12, 2025
GAOverview: Census Bureau Undertakes Data Collection Modernization
(U.S. Government Accountability Office) After the 2020 Census, the Census Bureau initiated four enterprise-wide programs to modernize and consolidate the IT systems that collect, process, and disseminate data for its surveys. This report focuses on the data collection modernization program, known as Data Ingest and Collection for the Enterprise. Why This Matters: The Bureau conducts over 100 different censuses and surveys, including the Decennial Census. To assist in collecting and ingesting data, the Bureau’s activities have largely relied on numerous survey-specific IT systems. This has resulted in many systems performing duplicative activities. Read More
‘Bedrock’ federal data sets are disappearing, as statistical agencies face upheaval
(Federal News Network) More than a dozen federal statistical agencies are falling behind on producing high-quality data sets that impact the U.S. economy and government policy, according to former officials. An annual report from the American Statistical Association finds widespread staffing and spending cuts across the federal government, along with policy changes under the Trump administration, have led to certain public-facing data sets being delayed, suspended or canceled. Experts who led the report are also concerned by a decline of public trust in federal government data sets. Read More
Sharing of Financial Services among Agencies Still a Work in Progress, Says GAO
(FEDweek) The government “has achieved progress” toward more sharing of financial management services across agencies, but that remains a work in progress even after two decades of “multiple initiatives to promote and implement” it, the GAO has said. The Treasury Department’s Financial Management Marketplace–where agencies, federal providers, and commercial providers can buy and sell shared services and solutions—has made progress in developing and implementing baseline requirements for FM Marketplace solutions and services, establishing and growing the FM Marketplace, and assisting agencies in modernizing core financial systems, a report said. Read More
NASA JPL Unveils Rover Operations Center for Moon, Mars Missions
(Mars Daily) The center leverages AI along with JPL’s unique infrastructure, unrivaled tools, and years of operations expertise to support industry partners developing future planetary surface missions. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California on Wednesday inaugurated its Rover Operations Center (ROC), a center of excellence for current and future surface missions to the Moon and Mars. During the launch event, leaders from the commercial space and AI industries toured the facilities, participated in working sessions with JPL mission teams, and learned more about the first-ever use of generative AI by NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover team to create future routes for the robotic explorer. Read More
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