Acquisition
States leave stimulus law data unclear
States varied in many aspects of using contracting data, including what type of data they routinely collected on contracts awarded for projects funded by stimulus law money, a report states.
Digital Government
Nearly all major federal agencies use social media, GAO says
Federal agencies have jumped into social media, but are still wrestling with numerous problems, a GAO official told a House subcommittee today.
Modernization
Data errors: OMB's online IT dashboard doesn't compute
The Government Accountability Office found outdated data and other inaccuracies in its evaluation of the Office of Management and Budget's online IT dashboard.
Modernization
GAO incorporates new technologies into strategic plan
Advances in technology and the wide-ranging effects of networks and virtualization will influence federal programs during the next five years, the Government Accountability Office reported.
Cybersecurity
Most major DHS acquisitions are over budget, behind schedule: GAO
Audit by the Government Accountability Office finds that 12 of 15 large procurements at the Homeland Security Department suffer from cost overruns, planning obstacles that include staffing shortages and lack of sustainment planning, as well as execution challenges related to technical capability and dependence on contractor partners.
Digital Government
VA patient scheduling app still not ready for prime time
The Veterans Affairs Department's second attempt to build an outpatient scheduling system may not get off the ground unless significant management deficiencies are corrected, according to the Government Accountability Office.
Modernization
Electronic Records Archives needs more oversight, auditors say
The Government Accountability Office says NARA needs to take steps to ensure completion of its Electronic Records Archives system by 2012.
Acquisition
Governmentwide contracting: In praise of duplication and overlap
Blogger Steve Kelman writes that the problem of having different prices for the same item across various contracts is better than having just one bad price everywhere.
Acquisition
Total number of interagency/enterprisewide contracts is anyone's guess
Federal agencies spend about $60 billion a year on interagency and enterprisewide contracts, but there is limited evidence that they are being effectively used and managed, according to the Government Accountability Office.
Digital Government
GAO finds $325M awarded to ineligible firms under SBA program
The Government Accountability Office found numerous cases of fraud while investigating 14 firms that falsely received federal contracts under the pretext of being small and disadvantaged businesses.
Acquisition
GAO: Acquisition workforce plans need better definition of workforce
Federal procurement policy officials took a step toward building up the federal acquisition workforce through agencies’ development plans, although the plans have their faults, according to a new report.
Modernization
VA fiduciary management system is inadequate, GAO says
The Veterans Affairs Department's case management system for overseeing fiduciaries for 103,000 disabled veterans is not up to the job, the GAO says.
Cybersecurity
Agencies struggle with securing computers, GAO reports
Senators act to get agencies to secure their computer systems against cyberattacks and hackers.
Digital Government
DHS' updated infrastructure plan emphasizes systems resiliency
The National Infrastructure Protection Plan, updated by DHS, puts greater emphasis on the resiliency of critical systems, particularly IT systems, according to a GAO evaluation.
People
Audit reveals FDA not using performance data in management decisions
The Food and Drug Administration is not utilizing performance information effectively to help improve its management, according to the Government Accountability Management Office.
Digital Government
Cybersecurity program has serious defects, GAO says
The administration has declassified much of the Bush-era Comprehensive National Cybersecurity Initiative, but it suffers from fundamental problems that must be remedied.
Digital Government
Census struggles to solve IT problems in time for 2010 count
With time running out before the decennial head count gets fully under way, key IT systems the Census Bureau is relying on still have performance problems, the Government Accountability Office told Congress.
Acquisition
Senate bill takes aim at HUBZone fraud
The bill seeks to ensure that only eligible firms participate in the HUBZone program.
Acquisition
Bid protest numbers increased during fiscal 2009
Protesters filed more complaints with the Government Accountability Office about agency contracting decisions in fiscal 2009 than in the previous four years.
Acquisition