Digital Government
As big deadline hits, lawmakers warn on long-term risks to Data Act
Agencies are due to report their first tranche of spending data under the Data Act on May 9, but lawmakers are framing the milestone date as a starting point.
Digital Government
Can the Census Bureau really deliver $5 billion in savings?
Unexpected cost overruns to critical systems and decisions to cancel or suspend various programs risk eating into the $5 billion in savings proposed by Census Bureau for its 2020 count.
Modernization
7 not-so-secret weapons to modernize apps
High-profile failures can make "AppMod" a daunting proposition, but how you start shapes how you finish.
Acquisition
IT insiders tell GAO what works
As FITARA implementation progresses, a government watchdog convened a group of tech leaders to share lessons learned about acquisition.
People
Senators seek GAO probe of hiring-freeze effects
Two senators are urging Congress's investigative arm to probe any adverse effects of President Trump's hiring freeze.
Cybersecurity
Agencies backsliding on FITARA
A leading watchdog told the House Oversight panel that agencies took some backward steps on implementing IT reforms during the transition and the early days of the Trump administration.
Cybersecurity
DHS cyber reorg bill coming
A top DHS cybersecurity official and a leading lawmaker are pushing a plan to reorganize federal cyber protection.
Modernization
Hurd: Revised MGT Act coming 'very soon'
The chairman of the House subcommittee on federal IT says that tweaks are coming to a bill to support agency moves to the cloud.
Digital Government
Watchdogs worried about DOJ's tech
Oversight officials told Congress they are concerned about the Justice Department's cybersecurity, use of unreliable tech and inability to track contract and grant spending.
Cybersecurity
Immigration modernization a work in progress
CIS making some progress on processing capabilities, but a congressional panel is still skeptical.
Acquisition
FirstNet expects court decision soon
FirstNet's top lawyer said the bid protest holding up the $6.5 billion contract award could be resolved "in the next several days."
Acquisition
How budget sequestration affected contracting
Defense agency contract obligations for IT and telecom services dipped over the last five years under the Budget Control Act, even as civilian side obligations held steady.
Cybersecurity
Too soon to tell if CBP biometric systems can scale
DHS efforts to develop entry/exit systems that capture travelers’ biometric data are making progress, a GAO report finds, but full implementation is far from simple.
Cybersecurity
Border drones and aerostats need better coordination
Although Customs and Border Protection coordinates its airborne border surveillance aircraft with other agencies, it needs to refine some specifics, according to a GAO report.
Digital Government
2020 census tabbed as 'high risk' by GAO
The 2020 Census is one of three additions to GAO's 2017 list of high-risk government programs.
Cybersecurity
Some IT bright spots in GAO annual risk report
Federal IT acquisition and DHS management see gains over 2015, but GAO wants more improvement.
Digital Government
Congress presses VA to go commercial on IT
The Department of Veterans Affairs must decide whether to keep and improve its home-grown Vista heath record system or move to a commercial provider. Legislators are growing tired of waiting for an answer.
Cybersecurity
GAO: NCCIC needs to clarify operating principles
The National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center "generally performs required functions" but it needs to further evaluate and clarify its operating principles and performance metrics, says GAO.
People
GAO reports billions in savings linked to oversight efforts
In its end of the year summary, the Government Accountability Office reported billions of dollars in federal savings and progress in addressing its management challenges.
Acquisition