Digital Government
Democrats set fast schedule for Defense, other spending bills
Top Senate Democrats hope to dispense with the fiscal 2010 defense authorization in just four days next week so they can clear the Senate floor for health care legislation and a vote on Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor. But with battles expected over several provisions of the defense bill, meeting that timeline might be a tall order.
Digital Government
Cyberattacks identified as a modification of five-year-old virus
The U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team identified the denial-of-service attacks as a modified version of the "My Doom" virus, which in 2004 infected more than 1 million computers worldwide.
Digital Government
Reps say broadband stimulus rules complex, murky, rigid
As the dust settles on guidelines the Obama administration released for the $7.2 billion broadband stimulus program, lawmakers are beginning to raise concerns that the hurried effort has led to rigid requirements, inconsistencies and murky definitions.
Digital Government
Maryland firm wins contract to revamp Recovery.gov
The General Services Administration awarded Smartronix of Hollywood, Md., an $18 million deal to help government better track stimulus funds.
Modernization
GSA announces list of Networx agency telecom awards
The General Services Administration has released a list of 86 federal agencies that have awarded contracts to telecom providers through the Networx contract.
Digital Government
North Korea's Hackers in a Luxury Hotel
An <a href=http://www.scribd.com/doc/15078953/Cyber-Threat-Posed-by-North-Korea-and-China-to-South-Korea-and-US-Forces-Korea>internal paper</a> published in May by an intelligence analyst at U.S. Forces Korea said North Korean hackers penetrated U.S. military networks and Web sites with greater frequency than any other country in the world, <a href=http://whatsbrewin.nextgov.com/2009/06/chinas_128_cyberattacks_a_minu.php>including China</a>.
Digital Government
U.S. Forces Korea Another Cyber Victim?
Repeated attempts to reach the <a href=www.usfk.mil>Web site of U.S Forces Korea</a> on Wednesday afternoon failed -- an indication that the <a href=http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20090708_9390.php>alleged cyberattack launched by North Korea</a> over the July 4 weekend against South Korean and U.S. government Web sites continues.
Acquisition
SAIC faces challenge in False Claims defense
SAIC claims the lawsuit is false, but one expert says that the company is playing a game of chicken with the Justice Department.
Ideas
Google Apps Go Legit
It's official: Google has gone legitimate. The software company's email and online calendaring, instant messaging and word processing applications officially shed their "beta" label this week.
Acquisition
Spending panel wants inventory of service contracts
The House Appropriations Committee wants an inventory of services contracts and for agencies to consider bringing that work back in-house.
People
SAIC vows to fight False Claims lawsuit tied to GSA deal
Science Applications International Corp. plans to strongly defend itself against a whistle-blower lawsuit involving a General Services Administration contract to support naval facility in Mississippi.
Modernization
Bill would give VA's IT programs $767.6 million more
The Senate Appropriations Committee has approved a bill that would provide hundreds of millions more for the Veterans Affairs Department's information technology programs -- but some strings are attached.
Digital Government
2010 Pay Raise
The House Appropriations Committee on Tuesday passed legislation that would provide federal civilian employees a fiscal 2010 pay increase of 2 percent. The decision comes after the full House approved a 3.4 percent pay increase for members of the military as part of the fiscal 2010 National Defense Authorization Act. It also comes after the House and Senate passed a budget blueprint in support of pay parity among federal civilians and members of the military.
Cybersecurity
Contractors must use E-Verify system
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano today said enforcement of mandatory E-Verify for federal contractors will start September 8.
Acquisition
VA's Acquisition Academy gets excellence award
The academy's Internship School that trains the next generation of acquisition employees gets award for its approach to teaching.
Cybersecurity