Modernization

L.A. taps Memex intell system

It will facilitate the management and sharing of intelligence information among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.

People

DHS awards SRA $42M contract

SRA's Touchstone Consulting Group will provide strategy and support services to DHS’ Office for Interoperability and Compatibility.

People

VA to use NASA SEWP IV contracts

The agency chooses to drop the PCHS program when the current contract expires in April 2007.

Modernization

VA drops Peaches 3 plan for governmentwide vehicle

The Veterans Affairs Department has dropped plans for its next-generation departmentwide contract to purchase hardware and software and instead will use NASA’s Scientific and Engineering Workstation Procurement contract vehicle.

People

Lawmakers largely ignore Web at FOIA hearing

Only one panel discussed the importance of IT in public access to government information.

People

Senate committee approves OFPP nominee

Paul Denett's nomination to take over procurement policy agency now goes to full Senate.

Modernization

OMB updates financial-reporting guidance

The Office of Management and Budget has updated guidance for governmentwide financial reporting required under OMB Circular A-136.

Modernization

Defense BTA battles governance and culture

Thomas Modly, deputy undersecretary of Defense for financial management, surprised his audience at a recent conference when he claimed that intolerance is a desirable attribute for achieving business transformation.

People

DOD competition measure could go governmentwide

The Services Acquisition Reform Act's Section 803, which requires DOD agencies to try for at least three bids before purchasing services, could expand to all agencies.

People

Army moves to modernize logistics

The Single Army Logistics Enterprise will help track supplies to warfighters.

Modernization

Report: DHS contracting lacks accountability, controls

Reps. Tom Davis (R-Va.) and Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) released a report detailing contract mismanagement that included awarding too many sole-source contracts, having too few qualified contracting personnel, and constant cost, schedule and performance shortfalls. <@SM>

Modernization

Senate bill backs OPM modernization

Senate lawmakers restored funding for a major retirement systems upgrade that the House zeroed out.

Modernization

Hill studies spending database

Few technical experts doubt the feasibility of establishing a central, searchable database that can track all types of federal spending. But whether such an idea is politically feasible is something else entirely.

Modernization

Spending database bill clears first hurdle

A key Senate committee approved legislation requiring the Office of Management and Budget to develop and maintain a massive database to track all kinds of federal spending.<@SM>

Acquisition

Input predicts GSA schedule decline

A slump in the services business will contribute to a 1 percent decline overall for fiscal 2006, according to the market research firm.

People

DHS wants to expand US-VISIT

The proposed expansion would include lawful permanent residents, some immigrants, people seeking asylum and some Canadians.

Modernization

Metastorm BPM upgrade

Metastorm Inc. released Metastorm BPM 7, the latest version of its business process management suite.

Modernization

Panel: ATF not required to pay teleworkers' broadband costs

The Federal Services Impasses Panel rejected NTEU arguments that the costs of teleworkers’ broadband could be offset by potential savings in office space.

Cybersecurity

DHS expands its biometric database

The Homeland Security Department is expanding its Automated Biometric Identification System to include biometric data collected for immigration, intelligence, law enforcement and national security programs.

Modernization

Special Report | NIST’s goal: Keep digital evidence fresh

Scientists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology are known for sweating the nitty-gritty details of dull but vital standards for everything from bulletproof vests to medical measurement devices and IT encryption. And now, agency experts are bringing the same precision to computer forensics, fully aware that the final say lies in the notoriously low-tech realm of the judicial system.