People

White House directive offers little guidance on what makes for open government

The Open Government Directive requires federal agencies to make more information available online to the general public. But with fast deadlines and little in the way of concrete guidance, transparency remains in the eye of the beholder.

Acquisition

Procurement reform fever to die down in 2010

The contracting memo influenced much of the procurement policy guidance in 2009, but experts say its effects will be subtle this year.

Modernization

Web mashups put transparency to the test

Web mashups are expected to become a valuable tool for sharing and analyzing government data, but mashup creators say government could do more to make their data more accessible.

People

OPM reorganizes into five divisions for better efficiency

The Office of Personnel Management made changed its organizational structure by separating its compliance unit from the unit that handles employees' requests for advice with policies, according to a human resources expert.

Digital Government

OPM's Reorg Includes Room for IT

The Office of Personnel Management on Tuesday announced a complete restructuring of its organizational chart. The <a href="http://www.opm.gov/about_OPM/reorg-2010/FunctionalDescriptions.pdf">restructuring outline</a> includes a few plans for information technology, including elevating the role chief information officer at the agency.

Modernization

Microsoft launches tech policy Web site

Microsoft today announced that it has launched a new Web site to engage the public in discussion about major technology policy issues including privacy, security, cloud computing and intellectual property rights.

Digital Government

Nexus One: All that and a trackball

Google ups the ante in the smart phone frenzy with the Nexus One, a smart phone running the Android OS.

Acquisition

GSA chief of staff Germain steps aside

Danielle Germain, chief of staff at the General Services Administration since June, is leaving due to the time it's taken to get a permanent administrator in place.

Digital Government

Upcoming FCW Feature

Update on topic and writer for upcoming FCW feature.

Digital Government

Former EDS exec Duffey to be Virginia's next technology secretary

Virginia Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell has nominated Jim Duffey to serve as his secretary of technology, according to announcement today from the Northern Virginia Technology Council.

Cybersecurity

Obama calls for closer eye on watch list system

The government has updated its terrorist watch list system and added more names to the "no-fly" list after a failed attack aboard a plane on Christmas Day.

Digital Government

Marines go GREENS for battlefield power

The Office of Naval Research has come up with a highly portable photovoltaic/battery system that Marine units can take into the field with them.