Digital Government
FEDERAL BYTES
It's Only a Movie After witnessing Sen. Ernest Hollings' (DS.C.) acting debut in the film "City Hall," we began a search for roles for other members of Congress. We came up with the perfect vehicle for Sen. James Exon (DNeb.), the crusader who will protect us from Internet obscenities. The film
Digital Government
Multifunction Devices
As government agencies strive to do more with limited funds, a new class of computer peripherals is gaining visibility: the multifunction device. Because they combine the features of different office machines into one piece of equipment, multifunction devices offer inherent value. But buyers need t
Digital Government
New macro viruses infect agencies
Federal computer users are being threatened by malicious new "macro" viruses involving Microsoft Corp.'s Word and Excel programs, prompting agency warnings about potential widespread damage. First discovered last summer, these viruses have already hit Energy Department and other government facili
Digital Government
State preps draft RFP for $100M buy
The State Department this month will release a draft request for proposals (DRFP) for its $100 millionplus State Information InfrastructurePC LocalArea Network (SIIPC LAN) procurement, an office automation contract that will standardize office hardware and software in department offices worldwi
Digital Government
Intercepts
WORMS, Germany Live from 5th Sig. The Interceptor has moved his flyaway rig here, to the HQ of the Army 5th Signal Command, to get the kind of information on Operation Joint Endeavor he'd never find prowling the Ering. This week he will deploy a special ruggedized Interceptor unit to Bosnia, C
Digital Government
SGI to acquire Cray in $740M buyout
Silicon Graphics Inc.'s purchase of Cray Research Inc. is bringing sighs of relief among federal supercomputer users who were concerned about Cray's longterm technology leadership. SGI announced last week that it will purchase Cray for about $740 million in a deal expected to close in April. The m
Digital Government
FEDWIRE
PRC snares GOES support pact The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration late last week awarded PRC Inc. a $26.6 million contract to support the agency's Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite Data Distribution System (GDDS). PRC, the incumbent on the contract, will provide opera
Digital Government
Acquisition reform focuses on Net
In one of the first examples of what is expected to be a growing trend among government agencies, the Federal Aviation Administration is making the Internet a cornerstone of its acquisition reform initiative. While using the World Wide Web to educate the general public and its own employees about t
Digital Government
Revision calls for Windows NT, COTS hardware
The National Guard Bureau (NGB) last week announced details for a new architecture for the Reserve Component Automation System that swaps out Unixbased Xterminals in favor of PCs running Microsoft Corp. Windows NT software and other commercial offtheshelf (COTS) components. RCAS, originally awa
Digital Government
IRS to tap GSA for TDPI
An upcoming procurement experiment by the Internal Revenue Service could change how agencies make volume purchases of computer equipment, software and services and elevate the importance of a General Services Administration schedule contract in vendors' contract portfolios. The IRS plans to use the
Digital Government
Systems management standards move ahead
The Desktop Management Task Force, a group which includes IBM Corp., Intel Corp. and Microsoft Corp., has issued the Desktop Management Interface. DMI promises to make "agent" technology remote processes that capture performance information and can receive orders to take corrective actions
Digital Government
NTIS, Kinko's join forces for on-demand printing
Getting copies of government documents can be a frustrating and timeconsuming process, but it could soon be as simple as going to the local copy store. By the end of this year, copying services company Kinko's Inc. will offer ondemand printing of National Technical Information Service publication
Digital Government
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Sign Language I was struck by your page 1 "thumbs down" depicting the ALMRS program over the headline "Early Indicators for Major IT Programs" [FCW, Jan. 22]. If memory serves me correctly, I believe the "thumbs down" symbol is usually indicative of the fate of those poor souls who are about
Digital Government
IRS aims to increase electronic tax filings
The Internal Revenue Service is hoping that an expansion of its digital tax services will result in a 36 percent increase in the number of taxpayers using these electronic filing options by April 15. This year, for the first time, taxpayers who use a variety of commercial tax return preparation sof
Digital Government
Cisco offers Internet products
Cisco Systems Inc. has introduced products that address Internet security, the increased demand on Internet servers and connecting Novell Inc. NetWare users to the Internet. The company is targeting government entities that need secure and highperformance network services, Internet service provide
Digital Government
The Source Tax Bill and other legislative goodies
A number of important bills for feds are wending their way through Congress. Here are some of the highlights: The Source Tax Bill, which bars states from taxing the retirement income of former residents now living elsewhere, was signed by President Clinton. An amendment to the bill, however, allows
Digital Government
Nonprofit research centers hit with strict funding limits
The Defense Department has outlined new policies to strengthen its management of notforprofit research and development organizations while reaffirming the "critical" role these groups play in DOD's mission. DOD is putting stricter limits on ongoing and future activities of federally funded rese
Digital Government
Deca hands $200M modernization pact to AT&T NCR
The AT&T NCR Division has won the Defense Commissary Agency's (Deca) fouryear pointofsale modernization contract valued at up to $200 million, a win that reflects the company's more historic product lines. NCR, known for its stronghold on the commercial pointofsale market, was named AT&T Globa
Digital Government
INDUSTRY WATCH
Lotus Offers Support on GSA Lotus Development Corp. earlier this month said it will offer support services to federal customers through the General Services Administration schedule beginning March 1. Lotus' GSA Premium Support program will provide customers with priority access to Lotus technical s
Digital Government