Digital Government

NSPS transitions running ahead of schedule

DOD has transitioned 7,000 employees out of the National Security Personnel System and into the General Schedule, and it will have three-quarters of its 226,000 NSPS employees out of the system by the end of the third quarter, according to the head of the NSPS Transition Office.

Digital Government

BP asks for military tech to contain oil spill

Oil giant BP plc has requested assistance from the Defense Department for advanced underwater imaging technology and remote operating vehicles that are not available commercially to contain the growing oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, reports the Houston Chronicle.

Digital Government

Battle command network drives Army modernization

In its 2010 Modernization Strategy, the Army outlines its near-term future as it moves to become a taut, versatile and efficient force centered on the battle command network.

People

House passes bill to upgrade DOD acquisition workforce

The bill seeks to reform the 80 percent of the Defense Department's acquisition system that 2009's reform didn't touch, some lawmakers say.

Digital Government

In defense of PowerPoint

After Pentagon leaders criticize the use of PowerPoint presentations, readers come to the software's defense, laying the blame for bad presentations at the users' feet.

Digital Government

Can DOD really defeat PowerPoint?

Defense Department leaders have declared war on PowerPoint presentations, saying they dumb down complex scenarios and give the false illusion of control. But is there any escape from bad slideshows?

Modernization

Can DOD really defeat PowerPoint?

Defense Department leaders have declared war on PowerPoint presentations, saying they dumb down complex scenarios and give the false illusion of control. But is there any escape from bad slideshows?

People

Politicians jockey for cybersecurity positioning

Security experts worry that complex questions about cyber defense and cyberattacks could be embroiled in political gamesmanship, writes Ben Bain.

Acquisition

DOD proposes new conflict of interest rules

Defense officials proposed new definitions for various types of conflicts of interest.

People

Cyber Command's congressional commotion

Lt. Gen. Keith Alexander's confirmation hearing highlighted the murky nature of cyber operations, writes John Monroe.

Digital Government

Defense acquisition: the 800-pound gorilla in the room at IRMCO

Why, at a conference dedicated to federal resource management, was defense acquisition avoided as a topic of conversation as much as partisan politics or religion?

Cybersecurity

Cyber Command nominee lays out rules of engagement

The nominee to head the Defense Department's new Cyber Command outlines how the command could respond to different cyberattack scenarios.

Cybersecurity

Pick to lead cyber command lays out battle plans

Army Lt. Gen. Keith Alexander says that militarizing cyberspace is not part of his agenda, and reveals what is at the top of the list.

Acquisition

Good job, acquisition workforce; here's a raise

A new bill would use incentives and career development to build up the acquisition workforce.

Digital Government

Military's technological might is slipping, Navy under secretary says

The military no longer enjoys the technological dominance and monopoly it once enjoyed and needs a new approach to marshaling its network enterprise systems, according to Undersecretary of the Navy Robert Work. At an AFCEA event, he outlined his vision.

Digital Government

Celebrities come out for USO awards dinner

Washington Technology editor Nick Wakeman rubbed elbows with a variety of celebrities that turned out for the annual awards dinner of the Metropolitan USO chapter.

Digital Government

Pick to lead DOD's Cyber Command to face senators April 15

Army Lt. Gen. Keith Alexander, director of the National Security Agency, is scheduled to have his confirmation hearing to lead the Defense Department's planned Cyber Command.

Acquisition

House panel proposes more defense contracting reforms

The IMPROVE Acquisition Act would improve competition, financial management and workforce issues and save $135 billion over the next five years. backers say.

Acquisition

DOD gets authority to limit contract competition

Defense Department officials today adopted a rule that grants DOD authority to limit competition for contracts when buying to support operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Digital Government

DOD appoints new director for acquisition

Appointment comes in wake of findings by Congressional panel of poor DOD acquisition and procurement practices.