Modernization
Cloud computing opens new questions for procurements
GSA regroups after GAO upholds protest of cloud computing solicitation
People
Executive order puts information sharing in the spotlight
President Obama is building on efforts to boost federal information sharing, but according to GAO, much work still remains.
Modernization
Security worries still impede cloud computing
As GSA ramps up FedRAMP, security remains a concern in efforts to move government IT to the cloud, officials told a House subcommittee.
Cybersecurity
Federal IT security incidents increasing rapidly
Federal agencies show persistent weaknesses in their information security controls, GAO says in a new report.
Cybersecurity
DHS still has growing pains, comptroller says
U.S. Comptroller General Gene Dodaro testified that the Homeland Security Department has achieved successes but still has organizational problems.
People
CIOs gain responsibilities but still lose ground
A new OMB memo assumes that CIOs have the power to execute all the authorities granted to them, but GAO and CIOs themselves might beg to differ, writes columnist Alan Balutis.
Cybersecurity
State defends security system against GAO
A GAO report rankles agency officials, who believe criticisms go too far.
Digital Government
CMS' antifraud systems are underused, GAO says
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services installed two anti-fraud systems in 2006, but neither is fully functioning as intended, a report says.
Acquisition
Congress stretches deadline for DOD task order protests; civilian jurisdiction unclear
A new Federal Register notice on a new acquisition rule regarding task-order protests has reignited the debate on jurisdiction over civilian protests.
Acquisition
GAO will finish its bid protest work
The Defense Information Systems Agency contended that GAO's authority to review certain bid protests ended on May 27, leaving Technatomy’s protest without merit.
Cybersecurity
Don't blame e-file for identity theft, IRS says
The recent surge in identity theft tax fraud is not linked to the growing popularity of IRS'e-file system, official says.
Acquisition
GAO: Agencies question usefulness of contract inventories
Some agency officials fear their in-depth inventories of service contracts will turn out to be useful to no one due to funding, manpower shortages.
People
Senators to introduce IT oversight bill
A group of senators plans to introduce a bill soon that will hold federal agencies and the Office of Management and Budget accountable to either fix or terminate IT projects that are failing.
People
Lawmakers seek answers on federal pay issue
Republican leaders intent on reforming the federal pay system reportedly have asked the Government Accountability Office to examine why various studies come to different conclusions on how federal pay stacks up against private-sector pay.
Digital Government
Wounded warriors' care impeded by incompatible systems
The Veterans Affairs and Defense departments set up a special program in 2007 to coordinate care after the negative publicity about gaps in care at Walter Reed. But there are still gaps because of their information systems, according to a new report.
People
GAO official calls for stronger IT spending oversight
The federal government must strengthen its oversight of IT spending, a Government Accountability Office official said.
Cybersecurity
IRS needs to improve taxpayer information security, GAO says
A GAO audit says the IRS should be better at fully securing taxpayer information.
Cybersecurity
DHS buying SBInet-like system for border despite uncertainties, GAO says
The Homeland Security Department canceled the SBInet border surveillance system two months ago, but SBInet-like capabilities will live on in the new system proposed for some parts of the border, a GAO official says.
People
NARA's spending plan for electronic archive isn't reliable, GAO says
The National Archives and Records Administration had unreliable cost estimates and other weaknesses in its spending plan for the final year of developing its digital archive, a new report says.
People