People
Senate confirms head of White House regulatory office
The Senate has confirmed Cass Sunstein to head the powerful Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs that reviews agencies' final and proposed rules before they are published.
Acquisition
How contractors can help agencies save money
The contracting community should work together to find creative ways to meet OMB’s goal of reducing contract spending.
Digital Government
OMB architect identifies 'semantic harmonization' as key to effective enterprise architecture
The Federal Enterprise Architecture is moving toward a more shared architecture that looks across boundaries, according to Kshemendra Paul, chief architect with the Office of Management and Budget.
Cybersecurity
Experts debate expansion of president’s cybersecurity powers
Existing laws already give the president broad discretion on how to respond to cyberattacks, despite language in a Senate bill that proposes giving the president specific powers during such events, expert says.
Cybersecurity
FISMA reporting must use automated tool
By Nov. 18, agencies must use a new automated reporting tool to meet their reporting requirements under the Federal Information Security Management Act.
Modernization
USDA uses social media to study rural life
A new Web site from the Agriculture Department uses several social media tools to track a program that collects information on life in rural communities.
Modernization
Social media dominates new DOD Web site
Social media is the prominent feature on the new Defense Department's home page, which was launched today.
Modernization
Government wants contractors to register soon at stimulus-tracking site
The board tracking the economic stimulus law spending is urging contractors, state and local agencies and non-profits to register early on its new FederalReporting.gov Web site.
Modernization
DHS starts social network about Southwestern border
The Homeland Security Department is using a site called Ning.com to host a new social network that focuses on topics related to the Southwest border.
Modernization
Debate still rages on federal use of cookies
A plan to allow Web tracking technology on government Web sites draws protests, support.
Modernization
OMB and private groups track Congressional earmarks
A volunteer group is creating an online database to contain more than 17,000 congressional earmark requests, while OMB says it is planning to expand its own database next year.
Cybersecurity
Rising Star Richard J. Renomeron
Renomeron led a team of engineers that provides the Office of Management Budget with an array of systems for developing budgets, including the much-lauded Max Federal Community wiki.
Cybersecurity
Regulators urged to lighten up on award-fee rules
Agencies asked regulators to avoid more burdensome rules and reporting requirements.
Modernization
Agencies get creative to recruit acquisition workforce
Administration officials say new ideas are being tried to expand the acquisition workforce.
Cybersecurity
Agencies told to target money for tech projects
Agencies should design their science and technology spending plans for fiscal 2011 around priorities reflected in the economic stimulus law and the fiscal 2010 budget, administration officials say.
People
OMB wants employee, contractor balance
Agencies should find the best balance between contractors and employees in their workforces, the Office of Management and Budget says.
Modernization
U.S. is a model for Canada's open government efforts
Canadian officials reference projects in the United States for using Web 2.0 to achieve open government goals.
People
Passing the baton
Why, six months into his presidency, has Obama still not named anyone to fill the administrator’s position at the Office of Federal Procurement Policy?
Cybersecurity
The great cybersecurity star search
A consortium of private and government organizations has launched a program of competitions and educational opportunities for young people to build the next-generation cybersecurity workforce.
Digital Government