Digital Government
Audit blames OMB's lack of guidance for shoddy contracting data
But agencies also are responsible for accurate reporting of contract award spending, analysts say.
Modernization
FCC unveils 360-page national broadband plan
The plan also recommends the development of standardized cable set-top boxes that would enable Internet surfing on televisions.
Modernization
Emergency communications plan update will blend old and new
Strategy will address technologies such as broadband, but first responders will continue to use mobile radios for some time, DHS official says.
Digital Government
More agencies use cookies to track Web activity
As demand for personal online services increases, privacy groups and Web advocates call for rethinking a ban on persistent files that track how individuals use federal sites.
Digital Government
FCC wants faster Internet for government buildings
Plan lays out immediate and long-term government and industry goals to expand affordable access to high-speed Internet connections.
Cybersecurity
Long Odds for Cybersecurity Law
Eric Chabrow, who writes the blog The Public Eye for Gov Info Security, <a href=http://blogs.govinfosecurity.com/posts.php?postID=480>predicts</a> the likelihood of President Obama signing a cybersecurity bill this year is quickly diminishing:
Ideas
Upcoming: House Transparency Caucus
Some members of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee are expected next week to announce the formation of a bipartisan congressional transparency caucus, co-chaired by Reps. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., the panel's ranking member, and Rep. Mike Quigley, D-Ill.
Digital Government
F-35: The Stripped Down Version
The Pentagon will end up paying Lockheed Martin Corp. between <a href=http://armed-services.senate.gov/statemnt/2010/03%20March/Fox%2003-11-10.pdf>$95 million</a> and <a href=http://armed-services.senate.gov/statemnt/2010/03%20March/Sullivan%2003-11-10.pdf>$131 million</a> for each next generation F-35 fighter -- or 60 percent to 90 percent more than the original advertised sticker price.
Ideas
Tax Free Smart Grid Grants
Federal grants under the Smart Grid Investment Grant program will not be taxed, the Treasury and Energy Department announced Wednesday. This means that the IRS will provide a safe harbor for corporations receiving grants under the $3.4 billion federal stimulus program, which funds projects that aid the modernization of the energy grid.
Ideas
Web Site Woes: USAspending.gov
Inconsistencies will continue to plague <a href=http://usaspending.gov/>USAspending.gov</a> unless the Office of Management and Budget issues better reporting guidance to agencies, according to the Government Accountability Office.
Digital Government
A Good Idea
In light of a system at the Veterans Affairs Department mixing up patient data, it may be a good idea that a panel advising the Health and Human Services Department on electronic health records <a href=http://govhealthit.com/newsitem.aspx?nid=73304>proposed</a> on Friday a system into which clinicians could "report instances - noticeably inaccurate patient data or an EHR technical glitch, for instance - that they believed might compromise patient safety," Government Health IT reported on Friday.
Digital Government
Future Feds Demand Tech
On Wednesday, <a href="http://wiredworkplace.nextgov.com/2010/03/millenials_jumping_it_boundaries.php">I wrote about a new report by Accenture</a> that found that 97 percent of Millennials (ages 14 to 27) in the United States at least partly agree that state-of-the-art technology and equipment will be essential when choosing an employer. <a href="http://wiredworkplace.nextgov.com/2010/01/social_networks_critical_for_future_feds.php?oref=search">Research by Deloitte</a> released in January also found that 88 percent of teens use social networks every day, with more than half saying they would consider their ability to access them at work when weighing a job offer from a potential employer.
Ideas
Tweet Trends
Social networking offers lots of opportunities to share information, join a conversation, reconnect with old friends and meet new ones. Perhaps too many. With Facebook, LinkedIn, GovLoop, Twitter and more, who has time to actively participate in everything?
Digital Government
HHS advisers consider new database for health IT safety
A workgroup for the Health and Human Services Department today proposed a new health IT patient safety national database and reporting system.
Cybersecurity
Cyber defenders play offense in security contest
Participants in the Cyber Security Challenge II tried to rack up points by hacking systems of competitors and those of fictional agencies.
Modernization
FDA broadens reach through widgets, content syndication
A widget embedded on partner Web sites drove more than 20 million visitors to FDA.gov to learn more about the peanut recall.
People
Senate bill would cap number of executive branch appointees
Sens. Russ Feingold and John McCain reintroduce legislation they say would cut spending and shrink bureaucracy by reducing the number of executive branch appointees.
Ideas