Digital Government
Pentagon launches $500M GBS program
A new era in military satellite communications came one step closer to reality last week when four teams submitted bids on the $500 million Global Broadcast Service a program designed to give soldiers on the battlefield the power to select largescale images and videos much the same way a TV viewer
Digital Government
GTSI, Vanstar offer Microsoft services, warranty program
Government Technology Services Inc. last week announced it is offering packaged services from Vanstar Corp. on GTSI's General Services Administration schedule. Specifically GTSI is providing Vanstar's professional services in support of Microsoft Corp. technology. Vanstar a $2.2 billion PC reseller
Digital Government
Letters to the Editor
PINS ADD EXTRA SECURITY REGARDING BUREAUCRATUS' ARTICLE 'GAO DUCKS SSA INTERNET SECURITY ISSUE' [FCW JUNE 16]: I BELIEVE THE CRITICISM OF SSA'S ALLOWING INDIVIDUALS TO ACCESS WAGE DATA OVER THE INTERNET WAS NOT PRIMARILY AN INTERNET SECURITY ISSUE (I.E. THAT THE DATA COULD BE INTERCEPTED) RATHER IT
Digital Government
Oracle8: It's all 'about bigness'
Oracle Corp. last week began shipping Oracle8 the latest generation of the company's flagship database management technology. Oracle is positioning the product as a database manager that can take on larger databases handle more complicated queries and serve as the hub for network computing environm
Digital Government
Little insight offered on fed, private retirement
Ever wonder how federal retirement benefits compare with those offered by privatesector firms? Well Sen. Ted Stevens (RAlaska) recently asked the General Accounting Office to compare the features and benefits of the federal retirement system with those in privatesector systems. GAO's results wer
Digital Government
Seattle firm finds demand for compression software
LizardTech a tiny Seattle firm that spun out of the Los Alamos National Laboratory close to four years ago has found that the federal government is taking a keen interest in its new compression software MrSID. MrSID short for Multiresolution Seamless Image Database allows users to digitally compres
Digital Government
AWARDS
Small Business Administration (prime)/MCubed Information Systems (sub). A $3 million award for information technology technical support services. Treasury Department Financial Management Service 401 14th St. S.W. Washington D.C. 20227. Computer Sciences Corp. A $2.7 million award for systems engin
Digital Government
FAA, partners mold free flight
Partnering agreements with federal agencies and private organizations are helping the Federal Aviation Administration develop its revolutionary concept of air traffic management called free flight FAA officials testified at a hearing last week. The free flight system will use an integrated network
Digital Government
Vendors say agencies abuse rules
Several vendors that have protested the award of large orders to General Services Administration schedule holders believe that in the past couple of months agencies using the program are operating under the maxim made famous years ago by Cole Porter: Anything goes. These companies which have repeat
Digital Government
Compaq to buy Tandem in latest server purchase
Compaq Computer Corp. and Tandem Computers Inc. last week inked a multibilliondollar merger agreement the latest in a series of deals linking PC vendors to midrange and highend server manufacturers. Compaq the world's largest PC maker will pay $3 billion in stock to purchase Tandem a manufacturer
Digital Government
Time running out on VBA systems fix
The Department of Veterans Affairs' Veterans Benefits Administration could face widespread computer systems failures resulting in delays in benefits to millions of veterans if the agency does not act promptly to head off its Year 2000 problem a General Accounting Office official testified last week
Digital Government
DOD aims to protect Web users
In an effort to protect the privacy of users who visit its World Wide Web sites the Defense Department is crafting a policy on what kind of information it will keep about individuals who access its Web pages. The policy which also will address the maintenance of other electronic records such as fil
Digital Government
Customs unveils export-tracking app
Beginning this week federal agencies that keep track of goods that are exported to other countries will be able to collect more accurate trade statistics through a new software application developed by the Customs Service. Customs is rolling out nationwide its new Automated Export System which will
Digital Government
Panel backs electronic filing of income taxes
A congressional commission last week proposed a sweeping overhaul of the Internal Revenue Service that includes a plan to expand electronic filing of tax returns by businesses and individuals. The recommendations of the National Commission to Restructure the IRS also include a controversial plan op
Digital Government
Navy selects 13 for $250M in services
The Naval Information Systems Management Center (NISMC) last week awarded blanket purchase agreements worth $250 million to 13 vendors under its Information Technology Support Services program. BPAs were awarded late on June 26 to 13 companies that submitted quotes for the ITSS program said Cmdr. P
Digital Government
Bill calls for DOD tocompete with vendors
The House last week overwhelmingly passed the 1998 Defense authorization bill (H.R. 1119) which calls for the Defense Information Systems Agency and the Defense Finance and Accounting Service to compete with the private sector by 2000 for operation of 'inherently nongovernmental functions' such as
Digital Government
Senator threatens to withhold funds for noncompliance
The chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee last week threatened to cut off funds to agencies that do not submit by the Sept. 30 deadline strategic plans for complying with the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA). Sen. Ted Stevens (RAlaska) at the firstever joint hearing of the
Digital Government
Mars mission to test use of Internet
When the space probe Pathfinder lands on Mars July 4 unfolds its three solar panels and deploys a tiny rover that scientists will control remotely to collect information Earthbound Internet users also will have the opportunity to guide a simulated Martian rover. The project part of a NASA outreach
Digital Government