Digital Government

Regulations.gov glitch prevents comments from reaching agencies

July outage, revealed a month later, should have been reported immediately, transparency advocates say.

Modernization

NASA could outsource flights, insource IT

While budget woes leave future space missions in question, the department's cloud computing programs could help curb costs.

Digital Government

IG: VA has widespread problems with management of IT projects

Report focuses on the failure of $167 million program to develop a patient appointment system.

Digital Government

CBP to continue searches of travelers' laptops

Homeland Security's new policy does not require reasonable suspicion, to the dismay of civil liberties groups.

Digital Government

Paper-Based Records Interchange?

Based on an <a href= https://www.mpm.osd.mil/documents/MRWG_June_Brief_061709Final.ppt(S).pdf>internal briefing</a> from early this summer which made its way to my inbox, it looks like the Defense Department is scanning a large heap of medical records so the Veterans Affairs Department can access them.

Ideas

DHS Announces Laptop Search Policy

The Department of Homeland Security today <a href="http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1251393255852.shtm">released</a> three new directives aimed at clarifying the agency's policies on Customs <a href="http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20080624_3037.php">searches of laptop computers</a> at the U.S. border:<blockquote>"Keeping Americans safe in an increasingly digital world depends on our ability to lawfully screen materials entering the United States," said Secretary Napolitano. "The new directives announced today strike the balance between respecting the civil liberties and privacy of all travelers while ensuring DHS can take the lawful actions necessary to secure our borders."

People

Feds to contractors: Stop whining about employee poaching

Federal employees, long accustomed to seeing their co-workers lured away by the promise of riches in the private sector, can’t be blamed for enjoying a little schadenfreude.

Digital Government

Stealing IT Workers?

David Huber <a href="http://washingtontechnology.com/articles/2009/08/26/contractors-worries-feds-fish-for-their-employees.aspx">writes</a> at Washington Technology that government contractors have become fertile ground for federal agencies looking to hire information technology professionals. While some believe recruiting IT contractors is a way to find the needed talent in government, many in the contracting community believe the practice crosses the line.

Modernization

Joint Chiefs chairman takes questions on YouTube

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff has started a YouTube channel where service members can ask him questions on any subject, DOD officials said.

People

HHS strikes out on search for new telehealth center

HHS says it hasn't gotten any applications to run a national telehealth center.

People

State and local health IT spending to hit $9.6 billion by 2014

State and local governments are projected to spend 4.6 percent more per year on health IT through 2014, according to Input Inc., a market research firm.

People

VA cancels remainder of $75 million research contract

The VA has canceled a major research contract on Gulf War illness with a medical center in Dallas, citing performance deficiencies and noncompliance.