Digital Government

AWARDS

Siemens Rolm Communications Inc. A contract not to exceed $13.7 million for maintenance and operation of telecommunications systems. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Code 211 Greenbelt Md. 20771. Software Productivity Solutions Inc. A $2.1 million award to integrate a system for the predictable evo

Digital Government

Banyan unveils Windows NT product, new version of Vines

Recognizing the acceptance of Microsoft Corp.'s Windows NT in the government market Banyan Systems Inc. last week introduced a Windows NT version of its distributed directory services technology along with a new version of its Banyan VINES network operating system. The directory services product St

Digital Government

Board plans IT overhaul for retirement system

To accommodate the more than $39 billion in assets invested by more than 2 million federal employees the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board recently issued a request for proposals to overhaul the system that administers the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). The RFP calls for changing the current I

Digital Government

Linking with Lynx lessens lag time

Running a graphical World Wide Web browser such as Mosaic Netscape or Internet Explorer over an ordinary phone line amounts to an act of blind optimism best understood by folks who believe every year that the Red Sox will win the pennant. Even highspeed localarea networks hooked up to the Interne

Digital Government

OPM to MSPB: See you in court

It's not often that the Office of Personnel Management takes the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) to court but it happened earlier this year. The case involved Ethel D. Briggs fired in 1992 from her job as executive director of the National Council on Disability after holding that position for

Digital Government

Serving up an operating system

Overall costs and integration with legacy systems are the top concerns when government buyers pick server operating systems. This leads to several distinct choices: Unix Novell Corp.'s popular NetWare package or upandcomer Windows NT from Microsoft Corp. 'Cost ease of implementation and software

Digital Government

3M, USGS study ways to deliver maps electronically

3M and the U.S. Geological Survey recently signed a research agreement that eventually could lead to the development of kiosks able to print electronic maps on demand. Under a 16month cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA) 3M is working with the Rocky Mountain Mapping Center in Lak

Digital Government

DOD sets sights on development of Shared Data Environment

SAN DIEGO Now that the Defense Information Systems Agency has developed a Common Operating Environment (COE) for its combat and support systems allowing users to share applications the agency wants to do the same for data. The development of a Shared Data Environment (Shade) will allow users to t

Digital Government

Intergraph, Network Appliance debut server products

Intergraph Computer Systems and Network Appliance Inc. this week unveiled products designed to woo customers seeking powerful Internet/intranet servers. Intergraph Huntsville Ala. announced InterServe 650 and 660 servers running Microsoft Corp.'s Windows NT and powered by up to four 200 MHz Pentium

Digital Government

If at first you don't succeed...

Last week the National Institutes of Health concluded a procurement Chief Information Officer Solutions and Partners that is perhaps the most unusual in decades. Some participants even think it will redefine how the government buys products and services. But awarding contracts even in record time i

Digital Government

Primes compete for sales against booming skeds

Prime contractors and product vendors are gearing up for the final sales push on the federal government's major PC and workstation buying vehicles as the peak buying season enters its final month. The government's information technology suppliers are completing what likely will be their last techno

Digital Government

CA, Microsoft announce joint plans

Computer Associates International Inc. and Microsoft Corp. last week announced plans to provide remote systems network and applications management via the Internet. The pact announced at the CAWorld '96 conference in New Orleans combines CA's expertise in enterprise systems management with Microso

Digital Government

AMS, DynCorp size up $1 billion SPS contract

For American Management Systems Inc. and DynCorp being chosen as finalists for the Defense Department's Standard Procurement System contract holds a wealth of opportunity. Not only is the buy potentially worth $1 billion if completely deployed but also vendors and some industry observers say it cou

Digital Government

System-building blueprint evokes mixed feelings

The National Archives and Records Administration is preparing to issue guidelines for agencies to follow when building systems for managing electronic records. James Hastings director of NARA's Records Appraisal and Disposition Division said the final blueprint expected to be completed this fall wi

Digital Government

Updated IBM software to cluster more units, over distance

IBM Corp. is upgrading clustering software for its RS/6000s enabling users to cluster more machines and spread out machine availability over long distances an IBM official said.One initiative codenamed Phoenix will expand the number of RS/6000s that can be clustered from eight to 32 and next year

Digital Government

AGENDA

SEPTEMBER 3 6 Information Resources Management Conference '96. Hershey Hotel and Conference Center. Hershey Pa.Call Betty Moore at (202) 5014298 fax (202) 5013805 email betty.moore@gsa.gov. 35 Third Annual Workshop on Information Technology Assurance and Trustworthiness. Columbia Hilton. Col

Digital Government

GSA line-charge reduction on horizon

The General Services Administration is poised to reach its fiscal 1996 goal of bringing local telecommunications charges under $20 per line a move that many observers believe will lead to even bigger cuts through competitive pressures on local phone companies. Cuts in Overhead Save the Day The redu

Digital Government

Intercepts

FIRST INITIAL * Nipping at NIPRNET. MCI seems less than pleased with the Fedsim/Pulsar/Sprint trifecta that will result in DISA moving NIPRNET traffic off the AT&T DCTN net and onto a highspeed nonFTS 2000 Sprint network that could eventually sport ATM under the hood. I am picking up signals that

Digital Government

Buying boom leaves users in lurch

Federal buyers looking for highend notebook computers may find them in short supply as peak endofyear product demand tests manufacturers' capabilities.Some federal resellers are reporting ordertodelivery lags of up to 120 days on some notebook models. But availability varies by the type of not

Digital Government

Mars find may boost IT budget

NASA's extraordinary announcement this month that primitive life may have existed on Mars could boost information technology programs at the beleaguered agency if the discovery convinces Congress and the Clinton administration to push for more funds to search for further evidence of life. Although