People

Future Combat Systems: Lessons learned

A GAO official told a Senate subcommittee that FCS' successes and failures should inform the design of future modernization efforts.

Modernization

Army gives soldiers access to Twitter, Facebook

A recent Army order directs network managers to give soldiers access to social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

Modernization

Army seeks virtual support groups for amputees

Virtual world-based groups would help people who do not have access to in-person groups.

Modernization

Leading the Army's technology charge

Army Maj. Gen. Nickolas Justice, who presides over a diverse group of programs at the Program Executive Office for Command, Control and Communications Tactical, discusses the benefits of service-oriented architecture and open-source software.

People

Drapeau: Public affairs efforts can borrow from nimble jazz music

Coordination of a public affairs effort in government is similar to jazz improvisation — an office has a strategic theme, but tactically, improvisation must also occur. And one lesson from the military is the notion of "commander's intent."

Modernization

White House proposes cuts to FCS

The budget request would cut funding by more than $600 million for the Future Combat Systems program.

People

Officials: DOD acquisition workforce will grow

Defense Department officials are expanding the contracting workforce to better handle the money DOD is spending.

Digital Government

Army gives more resources to contracts

While wrestling with a long history of major contracting issues, the service intends to spend more money on overseeing and managing its contracts.

Cybersecurity

Greater energy efficiency relies on better information

Agencies have until October 2012 to install power meters on many of their buildings to help them get a better sense of their energy consumption and identify areas for savings.

Modernization

GAO: Delays, costs still problems at DOD

The Government Accountability Office has issued a report that cites continuing high development costs and long delays for Defense Department programs.

People

Official: Army contracting workforce needs more people

Estimates differ on how many additional personnel the Army needs in its acquisition workforce.

Cybersecurity

Federal 100 winner: Margaret Patton

Margaret Patton helps deliver biometric capabilities to soldiers in the field while managing costs, schedules and performance.

Modernization

Federal 100 winner: Carlton Brown

Carlton Brown, a deputy product manager of the Army Program Executive Office's Defense Wide Transmissions Systems, revived a canceled acquisition for secure wireless modules, getting the modules delivered under budget and with design improvements.

Modernization

Federal 100 winner: Ronald Ellis

Ellis, former project manager of the Army Special Access Program Enterprise Portal, led the effort to field that new communications network for Special Forces.

Modernization

Federal 100 winner: Michael Ryan

Ryan, deputy program director of the Army's Signal Warfare Programs, is responsible for the implementation of Signals Warfare programs.

Modernization

Federal 100 winner: Dennis Lucey

Dennis Lucey, vice president of TKC Global, has been active in the federal IT market for more than 40 years, creating partnerships with numerous government organizations.

People

Federal 100 winner: Lt. Col. Kenneth Fritzsche

Modernizing a portal that is used by more than 2.1 million military personnel isn't easy; saving $34 million in the process is even more impressive. Fritzsche saw that the upgrade of the Army Knowledge Online/Defense Knowledge Online portal was carried out a secure and seamless manner.

People

Federal 100 winner: Col. Debra Rose

Rose oversaw the creation of a secure wireless network that the South Carolina National Guard can use during emergencies.

Digital Government

Federal 100 winner: Guri Glass

Glass, project director of the Installation Management Systems-Army, manages software applications designed to improve soldiers’ quality of life.

Modernization

Army creates checklists for network tools

Service officials plan to use the acquisition process to build an enterprise-wide interoperable and integrated network.