Digital Government

IRS computer glitches allow erroneous credits

Initial audit of 2011 season shows some filers wrongfully benefiting from first-time home buyer and energy-efficiency tax incentives.

Digital Government

Those darned open microphones

Well, you've heard it by now. At a recent meeting with donors, President Barack Obama spoke candidly near a live microphone that wasn't supposed to be on. The audio feed was heard by a reporter, and the rest is history.

People

Look north for ways to save on IT

The United States could learn from the Canadian government's performance evaluation process for IT hardware, writes Advanced Micro Devices' Rick Indyke.

People

Aging, customized applications are bugaboo of IT management reform

Modernizing old applications could free a lot of money that is sunk into operations and maintenance, write two executives at Unisys Federal Systems.

People

Are smart phones bad for collaboration?

We might be entering a new Tower of Babel age in which the proliferation of devices and standards makes it harder, not easier, to collaborate, writes consultant Dennis McDonald.

Modernization

Supreme Court hears Microsoft's argument for patent reform

After losing a judgment to i4i over its use of XML in Word, the company wants to lower the bar for disproving a patent

People

VA starts telework tax credit

Virginia companies are being offered cash in exchange for starting telework progams.

People

Telework guidance incorporates Telework Act

The Office of Personnel Management on April 18 issued a telework guide to help agencies implement the Telework Enhancement Act and to serve as a resource on the law for rank-and-file feds.

Digital Government

DHS Seeks e-Records Vendor

People

Can agencies pay enough to attract top IT talent?

In the various debates about outsourcing, insourcing and federal pay, one issue almost always comes up: The tough competition for IT talent.

People

Kundra agrees with Obama on IT purchasing

The federal CIO agreed with President Barack Obama's comments on April 14, in which he complained about how the government buys IT.

Acquisition

DOD parses the people factor in procurement reform

FCW talked to Shay Assad for a Q&A. Assad has been at the center of acquisition reforms for years and has most recently led the way in encouraging a customer-focused culture in DOD procurement.

Acquisition

Budget battle leaves defense industry's confidence shaken

The impact of the continuing resolutions that have paralyzed defense spending for months became more acute with the recent budget showdown, and the damage will remain in play.

People

Feds: No joy in being the national punching bag

Federal employees don't enjoy the constant attention they are receiving from elected officials and political commentators.

Digital Government

HHS told to standardize consent, privacy in e-health record exchanges

Health care IT executives are urging the Health and Human Services Department to deal with how patient consent will be managed for release of health data.

Digital Government

Feds as Cyber Defense

People

As federal awardee database opens, debate about openness continues

Watchdog groups and business groups are wrestling over what contractor information should be available to the public as part of the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System.

People

HHS spent $1.6B on advisory committees over 10 years

The Health and Human Services Department was by far the highest spender on federal advisory committees, accounting for about half the total federal spending on such committees for 2001 to 2010, according to a new GSA website.

Digital Government

Obama wants cool technology for Oval Office

Unaware his remarks were being overheard by reporters, Obama criticizes federal technology, workforce