Digital Government

Debate heats up over cancellation of GPS backup system

Obama calls for cutting a decades-old electronic navigation system while GAO warns delays in satellite launches threaten the viability of GPS.

Ideas

Stimulating Federal IT Jobs

USAjobs.gov recently posted federal jobs created by Presient Bush's stimulus package -- the 2009 American Recovery Reinvestment Act (ARRA). A search using "ARRA" as a keyword brought up 192 jobs. Not too mnay of those jobs are federal information tech posts, however. A search consisting of "ARRA and information technology" produced just six hits, with two jobs in the Agriculture Department, two in the Housing and Urban Development Department, and one each in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and General Services Administration:

Ideas

When Boosting IT Is A Bad Thing

Getting rid of tax evaders is a good thing. But spending more money on technology to catch them after-the-fact is not, say some federal contracting advocates.

Digital Government

The AHLTA Definition Contest

As dedicated <em>What's</em> fans know, AHLTA, the Defense Department's electronic health record system, used to be known as an acronym standing for the Armed Forces Health Longitudinal Technology Application.

Digital Government

Familiar Faces On Baker's Bench

At the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee hearing on the nomination of <a href=http://techinsider.nextgov.com/2009/03/waiting_on_va.php>Roger Baker as chief information officer</a> of the Veterans Affairs Department on May 6, committee chairman Daniel Akaka, D-HI, asked Baker to introduce any of his friends in the audience.

Modernization

Navy seeks info on NGEN project

The Navy wants comments about technical solutions for the network that will replace the Navy/Marine Corps Intranet.

People

Agencies will feel pinch from Obama budgets

Federal agencies have not heard the last word on spending cuts in the fiscal 2009 and 2010 budgets.

Modernization

Building work starts on SBInet

The construction of 17 permanent towers for the SBInet system at the border of Arizona and Mexico started May 4.

Modernization

Early adopters sought for platform test

Microsoft wants customers to test their databases in a cloud-based data connectivity project.

People

Health care reform tied to IT

Health care reform won't be complete without adopting health IT, the national coordinator for health IT says.

Digital Government

DHS begins deploying technology component of its virtual fence

First phase of construction includes a network of 200 ground sensors and a series of towers equipped with cameras and radars on Arizona's border with Mexico.

Digital Government

Technology limitations hamper SEC enforcement efforts

GAO reports outdated systems limit effectiveness of agency's enforcement division.

Digital Government

Single Web site key for vets' combined medical, benefits record

Baker, VA's CIO appointee, tells Senate panel that more can be done to support vets, but "the road ahead is unlikely to be incident free."

Ideas

Time for Jeers?

Lurita Doan, the head of the General Services Administration for two years in the Bush administration and now a commentator on Federal News Radio, has a weekly feature on the station's Federal Drive program during which she offers up her "cheers and jeers" for the federal community.