People
VA touts progress on claims backlog; critics say it's not enough
Officials at the Veterans Affairs Department say the number of backlogged compensation claims has shrunk by 20 percent since its March peak, but critics are maintaining a full-court press on the White House to further reduce the VA's claims inventory.
Emerging Tech
Analysis: Is Online Transparency Just a Feel-Good Sham?
Programs claim to let Americans participate more directly in government, with few tangible results, critics say.
People
NARA tries to improve email preservation
After two decades of email communications, many agencies still print and file paper copies of messages they need to keep.
Digital Government
NSA Can't Stop Inadvertently Collecting Domestic Emails
Programs go back further and cover more territory than previously thought, report says.
Modernization
USPS picks vendor for cloud-based ID management hub
The federal government’s first major pilot program for cloud-based identity management now has a vendor, and it's Canadian.
Digital Government
Meeting again with Chinese students in Boston
From cybersecurity to Edward Snowden, Steve Kelman finds interesting patterns in visiting students' knowledge of the United States.
Emerging Tech
The Crowd May Have Answers, but Agencies Must Define the Problem
Effective crowdsourcing requires a lot of upfront work, according to a new think tank report.
Digital Government
DISA Plans To Tap Seven to 10 Vendors for Commercial Cloud Buy
Officials nixed the use of offshore storage.
Digital Government
Air Force Takes First Step Toward Unified Pay and Personnel Records
Service awards IBM an $11.9 million deal to develop a blueprint for an integrated system.
Emerging Tech
Which Panels Will Make It to South by Southwest?
Digital divides and the crowdsourcing of things make my list for next year's conference.
Modernization
Amazon rips GAO, IBM in lawsuit over CIA cloud deal
Suit claims IBM protest was "meritless;" IBM counters with its "long history of delivering successful transformational projects."
Acquisition
Argonne, Fermi host fair to engage small contractors
Energy Department research labs want half their contracts to go to small businesses.
Cybersecurity
Among the NSA's Own Tips for Securing Computers: Remove the Webcam
And if the NSA doesn't trust a piece of hardware, you probably shouldn't either.
Emerging Tech
Good News! The UFO Just Spotted From the Space Station Was Not Really a UFO
... But also, imagine being an astronaut and waking to find a mystery object outside your window.
People
IG slams DOT for overuse of risky contracts
The Transportation Department relies too heavily on cost-reimbursement contracts, according to a report from the DOT inspector general.
Digital Government
Feds: Give Us a Seamless Mobile Connection and We'll Get a Lot More Done
Outdated IT hinders productivity, survey of 209 top feds finds.
Acquisition
China-sourcing restrictions spelled out in SEWP
NASA's new five-year IT acquisitions vehicle extends restrictions on sourcing computer gear manufactured in China.
Digital Government