People

Transportation Department attempts to fix suspension delays

The department has struggled to make decisions on whether to exclude companies from federal work and then notify its various offices about the decisions.

People

Govloop's acquisition forum gains traction

The forum is turning into a real meeting place for acquisition professionals to share ideas and get real-time feedback both on broad policy issues and specific projects.

Digital Government

Complex Risks

With the first decade of this century behind us, federal managers face a daunting world ahead.

Modernization

Federal IT spending to increase almost 4 percent in fiscal 2010

Agencies will spend more on transparency initiatives and social networking, research firm predicts.

Digital Government

Google CEO joins speakers at Dem retreat

Schmidt will join Obama, Clinton at event.

Digital Government

Stimulus data needs context so public can understand spending effects

Study urges agencies that award contracts to put their projects into perspective on the Web so the public can easily and objectively discern the results of the economic program.

Ideas

A Discussion on the IT Budget -- 2

Bob Evans, senior vice president and content director at TechWeb, and I have been discussing federal IT spending -- too much, not enough, or how do you know? It was prompted by a <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=222200171">blog item</a> he posted on Jan. 5. We started the <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=222200171">e-mail discussion</a> shortly after.

Digital Government

Here Comes the Navy Cyber Forces

The Navy plans to stand up its new cyber outfit, Navy Cyber Forces, at the Joint Expeditionary Base in Little Creek - Fort Story in Virginia on jan. 26. It will ultimately have some 40,000 cyber warriors under its command, I'm told.

Digital Government

Blurring the Work-Life Line

A new survey by Forrester Research shows that American workers not only support the concept of telework, but also want smartphones to help them stay even better connected to work e-mail and documents as well as co-workers, ComputerWorld <a href="http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9143034/Smartphones_Office_shackles_or_tool_for_work_life_balance_">reports</a>. In fact, many workers are willing to foot all or part of the bill for such access, the survey found.

People

Griffin moves into deputy director spot at OPM

The Office of Personnel Management has announced that Christine Griffin has been confirmed in her appointment as deputy director of the agency.

People

NRC looks for public input on open government

Even though independent agencies are exempt from the Open Government Directive, NRC plans to comply with the White House order, according to a Federal Register notice.

Digital Government

Mini Generation Gaps

<em>The New York Times</em> has an interesting <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/10/weekinreview/10stone.html?pagewanted=2">article</a> on how the ever-accelerating pace of technological change may be creating a series of mini-generation gaps. In fact, recent studies have shown that 16- to 18-year-olds are able to perform seven tasks, on average, in their free time, like texting, sending instant messages and checking Facebook while sitting in front of the television. People in their early 20s can handle only six tasks, and those in their 30s can perform about five and a half, the research found. The heightened ability to multitask has created concerns that younger generations may not be able to focus in school or in the workplace.