Digital Government

GSA, DISA To Make Nice On Satcom?

Over the past decade federal agencies have been able to buy commercial satellite communication services through either <a href=http://www.gsa.gov/Portal/gsa/ep/contentView.do?contentType=GSA_OVERVIEW&contentId=18882>General Services Administration contracts</a> or those <a href=http://www.disa.mil/satcom/sco/index.html>managed by the Defense Information Systems Agency.</a>

Modernization

GSA, DISA collaborate on satellite contracts

The agencies are set to join forces to procure future commercial satellite communications. The joint strategy will tackle the impending expiration of contracts set to lapse between 2011 and 2012.

Cybersecurity

DHS officials skirted procurement ethics rules, IG says

DHS officials had inappropriate communications and committed other improprieties in four procurements, according to a new report.

Modernization

New technology tool translates Arabic broadcasts

A company has developed a Web-based platform that aggregates Arabic news television and translates the speech into English-language text.

Cybersecurity

Spires named new CIO at DHS

Richard Spires is the Homeland Security Department's top information technology executive.

Cybersecurity

OMB evaluates federal Web tracking policies

The Office of Management and Budget is re-evaluating federal policies barring the use of Web tracking tools.

People

OMB tells agencies to cut billions from contracts

OMB issued three memos today that outline $40 billion in savings on contract spending. It told agencies to cut seven percent from their budgets for contractors.

People

Acquisition workforce needs own category, analyst says

A new government job series should include program management, contracting officers, and a new function named “requirements management,” which would be “a professionalized super COTR.”

Digital Government

OPM Plan Goes Public

My former beat partner Alyssa Rosenberg <a href="http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=43261&dcn=todaysnews">writes</a> at <em>Government Executive</em> that the Office of Personnel Management will allow federal employees and the public to comment on the agency's proposed strategic plan. OPM's technology will let the public track debate on the plan during the four weeks it is available for comment online.

Modernization

Obama picks Ferriero to head NARA

President Barack Obama plans to nominate David Ferriero to head the National Archives and Records Administration.

Modernization

10 dot-gov sites that get it right

Government Computer News names the top government Web sites that best embrace Web. 2.0 practices.

Digital Government

Lawmaker proposes banning federal use of certain file-sharing software

Oversight committee chair also pledges an investigation into whether vendors can be held responsible for failing to install adequate privacy safeguards.

Digital Government

OMB directs agencies to improve contractor performance reporting

Federal agencies will be required to submit data on contractor performance to centralized database and the administration will monitor compliance.