Author Archive
Frank R. Konkel
Executive Editor, Nextgov

Frank Konkel is Nextgov’s executive editor. He writes about the intersection of government and technology. Frank began covering tech in 2013 upon moving to the Washington, D.C. area after getting his start in journalism working at local and state issues at daily newspapers in his home state of Michigan. Frank was born and raised on a dairy farm and graduated from Michigan State University.
Policy
Court to Explore Whether Trump Officials Interfered in JEDI Contract
The Defense Department previously said lengthy litigation could threaten the contract’s future.
- Frank R. Konkel
Business
Pentagon Awards JEDI Cloud Contract to Microsoft, Again
The decision follows a months-long legal challenge filed by Amazon Web Services.
- Frank R. Konkel and Aaron Boyd
Science & Tech
Pentagon Wants More Time to Review JEDI Cloud Contract Bids
The Defense Department says it wants to further discuss Microsoft’s and Amazon Web Services’ pricing.
- Frank R. Konkel
Threats
FBI Opens a China-Related Counterintelligence Investigation Every 10 Hours
FBI Director Chris Wray says China is increasing its illegal activity to subvert the U.S. during the pandemic.
- Frank R. Konkel
Science & Tech
Bipartisan Senate Bill Seeks to Boost Pentagon AI Talent
Step one: teach the Defense Department's HR staff to find and hire experts in artificial intelligence.
- Frank R. Konkel
Science & Tech
Pentagon Wants Help With Its Predictive Aircraft Maintenance AI
Among other things, the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center needs someone to format data about H-60 helicopters in a way that an AI can learn from it.
- Frank R. Konkel
Business
Amazon Files Another Protest Over JEDI Contract
In response, Microsoft blasts Amazon Web Services for trying to force a do-over for the multibillion-dollar cloud contract.
- Frank R. Konkel
Policy
Pentagon IG: We Can’t Rule Out White House Influence on JEDI Award
A 300-page investigation reveals multiple ethics violations and a refusal by Defense Department General Counsel to let senior officials comment on communications with the White House.
- Frank R. Konkel
Business
US Intelligence Agencies Are Told to Be Flexible with Contractors During Coronavirus
New guidance recommends immediate contract modifications to allow some contractors to remain at home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Frank R. Konkel
Business
Pentagon Will Modify Hundreds of Contracts for Coronavirus Response
The Defense Department is ramping up the purchase of certain items, including ventilators, in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
- Frank R. Konkel
Business
Pentagon Will Allow Companies to Rebid for JEDI Contract
Defense procurement officials have asked a federal judge for a 120-day remand to “reconsider its evaluation” of the up-to-$10 billion cloud contract.
- Frank R. Konkel
Threats
DISA Data Breach Affected 200,000 People, Officials Confirm
Defense officials provided few details but said the affected systems have since been secured.
- Frank R. Konkel
Science & Tech
Amazon Says Pentagon Got Almost Everything Wrong in JEDI Evaluation
Company officials say Trump's beef with CEO Jeff Bezos led to “substantial and pervasive errors.”
- Frank R. Konkel
Science & Tech
Amazon Will Protest JEDI Cloud Contract; Cites ‘Political Influence’
In July, Trump said he was "looking into" the $10 billion contract, which went to Microsoft last month.
- Frank R. Konkel
Business
Microsoft Wins Massive JEDI Cloud Contract
Amazon loses in a $10-billion upset decision after months of legal and Trump-fueled political controversy.
- Patrick Tucker and Frank R. Konkel
Policy
Esper Recuses Himself from JEDI Cloud-Contract Review
Nearly three months after he put the program on hold, the defense secretary has concluded that his son's job prevents him from overseeing it.
- Frank R. Konkel and Heather Kuldell
Science & Tech
DOD Inspector General Clarifies Office's Role in JEDI Cloud Decision
The Pentagon’s IG is reviewing complaints from multiple sources.
- Frank R. Konkel
Policy
Why Trump Cares About the Pentagon’s Mega-Cloud — and Why That Terrifies Those Who Want It
Breaking up the $10 billion JEDI network project will hurt the U.S. military’s effort to speed data to troops, its fans argue.
- Patrick Tucker and Frank R. Konkel
Science & Tech
Esper Puts JEDI Contract on Hold for Review
It’s unclear whether the new defense secretary's review will affect the contract’s timeline.
- Patrick Tucker and Frank R. Konkel
Policy
After Trump Weighs In on JEDI, GOP Lawmakers Say Keep Out of It
Four members of the House Armed Services Committee asked Trump to let the Pentagon award its Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure contract without delay.
- Frank R. Konkel