Modernization

First wave from states will test Recovery.gov's stimulus reporting mettle

The redesigned site's workload is set to increase.

Digital Government

A Transition Council - That's the Ticket

The Defense Department has spent almost $1 billion to develop as new personnel and pay system called the Defense Integrated Military Human Resources System, or DIMHRS. And what has it got? Bubkes, said Congress in its final version of the <a href=http://armedservices.house.gov/>fiscal 2010 Defense authorization act</a>, which a Senate-House conference approved on Wednesday.

Ideas

Experiencing Technical Difficulties

Hey, this could be a great idea: Congressional committees could post links on their Web sites to something called live webcasts of Hill hearings, allowing the press and public alike to watch and listen virtually from their homes or offices -- without spending time fighting traffic or contributing to greenhouse emissions.

Digital Government

Upcoming FCW Feature

Update on topic and writer for upcoming FCW feature

Digital Government

Upcoming FCW Feature

Update on topic and writer for upcoming FCW feature

Modernization

Obama bans texting while driving

An executive order forbidding federal employees to send or read messages while driving on the job is intended to attack the problem of distracted driving.

Modernization

Marine Corps wants green IT partnership with Army, industry

The Marine Corps wants to collaborate with the Army and industry on green IT systems that would lighten the logistical loads for warfighters.

Digital Government

While security clearances speed up, quality lags, GAO says

Although OPM and DOD have made significant progress in improving the timeliness of the personnel security clearance process, agencies still need to improve the quality of clearance investigations, according to GAO officials.

Acquisition

DOD bill would open door to new buying process for IT

A defense task force has recommended the new acquisition process must be agile and capable of delivering IT systems in no more than 18 months.

Digital Government

NASA awards 152 small-biz research contracts

NASA awards contracts to 126 small businesses worth $91 million for research projects in areas including technology to monitor the health of space crews and transmitters for deep space communications.

Digital Government

Federal Benefits Roundup

Several key federal employee provisions are included in an agreement between the House-Senate conference committee working on the fiscal 2010 Defense authorization bill. The committee's report of the final legislation, released on Wednesday, includes a provision that would allow employees in the Federal Employees Retirement System to credit their unused, accumulated sick leave toward retirement. Currently, FERS employees receive 13 use-or-lose sick days per year. The provision puts FERS employees on par with those in the Civil Service Retirement System, which generally includes those hired prior to 1984.

Cybersecurity

IG faults HUD for stimulus law reporting problems

HUD falls on privacy and data security goals and misses deadlines as it tracks spending for the economic stimulus law, the IG's office says.

Digital Government

Navy lays course for Second Fleet migration to NMCI

The Navy’s Second Fleet Commander will use the Navy Marine Corps Intranet to support its newly established Maritime Operations Center in a move to further collaboration and boost cybersecurity capabilities.

Modernization

VA completes first phase of daunting health records program, CIO says

Roger Baker is also restarting some halted programs and attacking processing backlog

People

Congress poised to kill DOD's pay-for-performance system

Labor unions have criticized the program for years.

Modernization

VA looks to Web 2.0 technologies to improve management

Electronic health records initiative and social networking sites are among the projects under way.

Digital Government

Hill outlines new acquisition IT practices for Defense

Congress also cuts Military Health Systems' technology budget until it can improve its project management.

Modernization

Cloud-based e-mail and archives for agencies sparks security concerns

Government officials say the advantages of outsourcing these data services outweigh the risks.

Digital Government

Yep, Computers for Offensive Ops

The Defense Department shies away from talking about its cyberattack plans, but a <a href=https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=8e86b740b9f47bbc28dff0d8af72e5ce&tab=core&_cview=>solicitation</a> released by the Air Force Electronic Systems Center yesterday indicates that the service definitely plans to have the capability to attack adversaries using computers.

Digital Government

A Cyber Challenge for DHS

Computerworld <a href="http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9138998/DHS_faces_challenge_in_hiring_1_000_security_experts">reports</a> that the Homeland Security Department's efforts to hire some 1,000 new cybersecurity experts could be stalled due to a lack of specialized skills as well as competition with other agencies and the private sector. DHS has a critical need for security professionals to handle tasks like intrusion analysis, malware reverse engineering, security auditing, secure code analysis, penetration testing and forensics, but the problem is there aren't enough security professionals to meet those needs, the article states. Experts also say that DHS must first address the relatively high rates of turnover within its mid- and upper-level cyber workforce, particularly at its National Cyber Security Division.