Acquisition

Senate committee wants answers on energy saving delays

Contracts based on energy savings could aid the optimization of data centers, but the OMB put a hold on the first such effort was to begin, raising senator's concerns.

People

Navy set to announce NGEN contract

As long-awaited announcement nears, the Navy removes the network's champion and project leader, citing a 'loss of confidence.'

Digital Government

A Few Agencies Use Internal Apps to Boost Mobility, Collaboration

Most are still mapping out their mobile strategies.

Acquisition

House panel probes 'cozy relationship' between IRS official, contractor

The IRS's Gregory Roseman invoked his Fifth Amendment rights in the face of congressional questioning about work given to a business that claimed HUBZone status -- since revoked -- and service-disabled veteran-owned preference based on the owner's 1984 sports injury.

Emerging Tech

Going Really, Really Green: Earth's Plant Life, as Seen From Space

Satellite images of vegetation can help to forecast droughts and fires and even diseases.

Digital Government

Deep Brain Stimulation for the Soul

See the effect of the "mind control" surgery, when patients turn their electrodes off.

Cybersecurity

Your Passwords Aren't Nearly Strong Enough

Pretty soon, though, there will be a more secure alternative.

Digital Government

How Edward Snowden’s Encrypted Insurance File Might Work

Snowden has given copies of the files he purloined from the US National Security Agency, his former employer, to “many different people around the world.”

Cybersecurity

USCIS inconsistent in database use, IG says

The agency tasked with monitoring immigration may be compromising efforts to detect fraudulent applications for benefits.

Modernization

How Zombie Phones Could Create a Gigantic, Mobile Botnet

Android operating system is most vulnerable.

People

Tester takes leadership role on federal efficiency

Montana's junior senator has taken the helm of a new subcommittee overseeing the efficiency and effectiveness of federal programs.

People

A graphic look at federal hiring

Vacancies and staff turnover are seemingly a fact of life for today's agency IT executives. And for senior positions, the hiring hoops can take many forms.

Cybersecurity

What's wrong with cybersecurity training?

An emphasis on academic accomplishment rather than real-world skills might be part of the reason the government has so much trouble filling cybersecurity positions.

Emerging Tech

Snowden Petition Shows Many Paths to a White House Response

A post-indictment boost gave a petition to pardon the NSA leaker enough signatures for an official administration reply.

Digital Government

Most of Us Just Love Drones, Apparently

Survey shows an overwhelming majority of Americans support the use of unmanned aircraft for security and search and rescue.

Emerging Tech

Labor Does More With Less on Streaming Data

The agency has a single Application Programming Interface that connects to 175 data sets.

Digital Government

Wyden: Medicare data should be more transparent

Wyden, Grassley re-introduce bipartisan bill to establish database for Medicare information.

Digital Government

Eight Clever Ideas for Making Government Work Better With Data

Easy-to-use tools to cut through bureaucratic red tape, via the Knight News Challenge.

People

Census in the spotlight at open source summit

With projects this year and in 2012, Census is testing the open-data waters in significant ways.