Cybersecurity
Senators Send Letter to Obama
Senate leadership sent <a href=http://www.govexec.com/pdfs/070210cr1.pdf>a letter</a> to President Obama Thursday asking for his help in passing comprehensive cybersecurity legislation, though there was no specific mention of the bills currently moving through Congress.
Digital Government
Beware of that bug: It could be following you
The U.S. Army sees miniature unmanned aerial vehicles the size of insects as a big part of future battlefield operations and intelligence gathering.
Digital Government
YouCut Targets Federal Pensions
Republican lawmakers are <a href="http://republicanwhip.house.gov/YouCut/week2.htm">targeting federal employee pensions</a> this week as part of House Minority Whip Eric Cantor's YouCut program, an online contest designed to highlight government projects that Republican lawmakers think are wasteful.
Acquisition
Alliant tops $1 billion in 14 months of business
The General Services Administration's Alliant governmentwide acquisition contract outpaces its predecessors, ANSWER and Millennia, in overall sales, according to sales figures.
Digital Government
Hurricanes and Telework
I know this week's posts have been a little telework-heavy, but it's worth noting that the Office of Personnel Management is reminding agency chief human capital officers that telework is an option for workers who may be affected by the 2010 hurricane season and the Deepwater Horizon oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico. According to a <a href="http://www.chcoc.gov/transmittals/TransmittalDetails.aspx?TransmittalID=3005">letter</a> sent to agency CHCOs on Thursday, OPM encouraged agencies to include telework in its emergency preparedness planning and discuss plans with each telework employee in advance. All expectations should be included in the employee's telework agreement, OPM said.
Digital Government
Secrecy could be weighing down military info-sharing
The Pentagon's tradition of keeping information close to the vest is key to operational security, but is it hindering much-needed information-sharing?
Cybersecurity
Most major DHS acquisitions are over budget, behind schedule: GAO
Audit by the Government Accountability Office finds that 12 of 15 large procurements at the Homeland Security Department suffer from cost overruns, planning obstacles that include staffing shortages and lack of sustainment planning, as well as execution challenges related to technical capability and dependence on contractor partners.
Digital Government
NOAA computer models predict coastal areas to be hit by oil spill
Computer modeling tracking wind and water motion predicts where the oil billowing from BP's ruptured well is likely to come ashore.
Cybersecurity
Auditors urge more testing for RFID travel documents
The process that the State Department uses to develop radio-frequency identification enhanced travel documents needs to be improved to better assess security features, according to the Government Accountabiliity Office.
Digital Government
Mental Health Lobby Wants EHRs
Mental health advocates are seeking support on Capitol Hill for a bill that would make mental health providers eligible for billions of dollars in incentives set aside to spur adoption of electronic health records.
Ideas
Transparency In Space
My colleague <a href="http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20100629_1659.php">Bob Brewin notes</a> that President Obama has let up on the government's long held belief that America controls outer space in signing a new national space policy that contemplates relying on non-U.S. satellite navigation for backup and support.
People
Meet the 2010 Rising Stars
Twenty-four up-and-coming professionals in government information technology will be recognized this year in the annual Rising Star awards program, cosponsored by Federal Computer Week.
Modernization
The new USA.gov: Enhanced search, mobile applications, easier to use
The redesigned USA.gov seeks to be more user-friendly, launched Friday with great fanfare.
Digital Government
16 years as a ‘temporary’ employee
A retired IRS employee who was hired under a temporary hiring authority recently told a House panel how she worked for 16 years in “temporary” status before being reclassified as a permanent employee. Because she spent years as a temp, she lost time-on-the-job credit that ultimately reduced her retirement annuity.
Modernization