Digital Government
Agencies need rules of the road
The Department of Veterans Affairs late last month became the latest in a string of federal agencies to hang out a virtual shingle announcing its entry into the procurement business. Like the National Institutes of Health and its landmark Electronic Computer Store contract the VA will now be in a p
Digital Government
DISN late; DISA, AT&T cut deal
The Defense Information Systems Agency confirmed last week that AT&T was unable to meet its schedule for installation of the Defense Information Systems Network (DISN) Transmission ServicesContinental United States (DTSC) a longhaul wideband communications network designed to satisfy the bandwi
Digital Government
Competition drives changes in network operating system technology
During the last several years the criteria for selecting networking operating systems has evolved as the technology has taken on new roles. Localarea network operating system (NOS) selections once centered on which product offered the fastest file and print services. In recent years however file a
Digital Government
Searchable Web site offers acquisition rules and regs
A searchable World Wide Web site that allows acquisition specialists access to the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) as well as acquisition rules and regulations from specific Defense Department commands has recorded over 10 million hits since going online in May 1996. Farsite (farsite.hill.af.
Digital Government
SHARP vendors eye D/SIDDOMS II
The three vendors who walked away this month with juicy Defense Department hardware contracts will be able to leverage their knowledge of DOD health care programs in fulfilling requirements for an estimated $600 million project and they may find themselves staring at even bigger opportunities. All
Digital Government
TRW launches electronic ordering on ULANA II
TRW Inc. had to wait two and a half years to finally turn on its Air Force $678 million networking infrastructure contract last month and concedes it has lost some advantage to its competitor Electronic Data Systems Corp. But the firm also believes it has a technology edge over EDS on the Unified L
Digital Government
Changes planned for FTS divisions
The General Services Administration's Federal Telecommunications Service next month will complete a reorganization to streamline and consolidate its growing divisions. FTS commissioner Bob Woods confirmed that the organization will change its name possibly to the Government Technology Service a mon
Digital Government
Bay Networks unveils secure remote-access products
Bay Networks Inc. announced a remoteaccess concentrator and software that will help agencies securely connect remote users to the office network or the Internet. The Model 8000 Remote Access Concentrator (8000 RAC) fills out the mid to highend range of Bay Networks' remoteaccess line of product
Digital Government
Lucent's O'Neill crosses technological line
Seven months ago James O'Neill crossed the technological line from computers to communications. And so far life on the other side is suiting him just fine. In January O'Neill joined Lucent Technologies Inc. as president of the company's Government Solutions unit leaving behind 20 years in the compu
Digital Government
Roster
The CIO Council last month welcomed the following new members: Tony Valletta acting chief information officer at the Defense Department Marvin Langston Department of the Navy CIO and Ira Hobbs deputy CIO at the Agriculture Department. Greg Woods deputy director of the National Performance Review wi
Digital Government
Small firms find financial 'angels' on SBA network
Finding investors is one of the top problems that small companies face when they try to launch new products but some federal agencies and universities have banded together to seed a potential solution: an online marketplace where companies can pitch their ideas to possible partners. The Small Busin
Digital Government
DOD, DOT support GPS signal
Civilian users of the 24 satellitebased highly accurate Global Positioning System won a guarantee of improved accuracy in the future in a joint planning document backed by the Defense and Transportation departments. The document the biannual 'Federal Radionavigation Plan' (FRP) calls for the addit
Digital Government
WAAS cost overruns threaten program
The Federal Aviation Administration may pay almost $1 billion to develop its major satellitebased navigation program some $350 million more than it anticipated when it launched the program three years ago according to a new report by the General Accounting Office. In late 1994 the FAA estimated it
Digital Government
EPA begins draft of IT plan
The Environmental Protection Agency is drafting a new information technology management plan that for the first time would set 'firm commitments and a detailed plan of action' for creating a 'seamless environmental information system' to regulate pollution. Described in a July 21 memo that was rece
Digital Government
How can potential organizational conflicts of interest be avoided?
A company official raised the following topic: When may an agency waive an organizational conflict of interest (OCI)? How can potential conflicts be avoided? As discussed in previous columns OCIs arise when a person is unable or perceived as unable to render impartial advice to the government or wh
Digital Government
Agenda (JUMP)
OCTOBER 69 Technology Commercialization Certificate Program. Wheeling W.Va.Presented by the National Technology Transfer Center. Call (800) 6786882 Web www.nttc.edu. 610 Gartner Group Symposium/ITxpo 97. Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel. Lake Buena Vista Fla. The event will offer industryspecifi
Digital Government
NASA CIO Ronald West announces retirement plans
Ronald West chief information officer at NASA last week announced plans to retire within the next few months. West who was named CIO in March 1996 said he will retire to his native Texas when he leaves the government. His replacement has not yet been appointed he said. Before accepting the CIO posi
Digital Government
Intercepts
JMCOMS star. Kenneth Slaght program manager for the Navy's Joint Maritime Communications System made the rear admiral (lower half) promotion list adding clout to the project designed to serve as the afloat pipeline for the Navy's IT21 project. Lillian Fishburne commanding officer of NCTAMS EASTPAC
Digital Government
Microsoft's ties bolster Apple's biz
The technology accord between Apple Computer Inc. and Microsoft Corp. will boost prospects for the Macintosh platform in the federal market and promises greater interaction between Windows and Macintosh clients. That is the analysis of industry executives regarding the new ties between the sometime
Digital Government