People
Companies seek Trade Adjustment Assistance in Stimulus
IT companies and trade groups are lobbying Congress to include trade adjustment money in the final stimulus bill.
Cybersecurity
Senate stimulus bill lacks House's E-Verify provision
The House version of the economic stimulus bill would require E-Verify employment verification for all contracts covered by the stimulus spending; the Senate bill approved today does not.
Modernization
CBP seeks system to detect traffic congestion
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is looking for innovative technologies to monitor incoming traffic within 10 miles of the border between the United States and Canada.
Modernization
CEOs seek review of government applications
Backers of open-source software want President Barack Obama to require federal agencies to consider how applications purchased by the government are developed.
Modernization
OPM, Hewitt settle RetireEZ dispute
The agency rescinds company termination of 10-year, $290 million by default, but the parties agree not to disclose the terms.
Modernization
Senate to vote on Stimulus cut for IT
Sens. Nelson and Collins are promoting an amendment that would cut $83 billion from the stimulus package, including reductions in major IT items.
People
DHS turns to old model for R&D
Research centers can help with technology acquisitions, but they raise ethics concerns.
Acquisition
Partner or patsy?
The economic downturn gives agencies a tool for negotiating contract discounts – if they use it.
Cybersecurity
DHS prepares to deploy virtual fence
Lab testing of the Homeland Security Department's SBInet virtual fence revealed minor computer bugs that are expected to be fixed before construction begins in March or April, the program's director said.
Acquisition
GSA gives Alliant small-biz contractors the all clear
The General Services Administration gave the all clear this week to the contractors tapped for the $15 billion Alliant Small Business contract.
People
Towns names subcommittee leaders
Reps. Stephen Lynch and Diane Watson will oversee two subcommittees that influence federal management and procurement issues.
People
White House launches site on economic effort
The Web site provides transparency and allows the public to interact with administration as it launches plans aimed at supporting the middle class and economic recovery.
People
Data requirement may be over for agencies
An OMB pilot program that required agencies to submit subcontracting data expired in December, even as regulators consider additions to it.
Acquisition
Lieberman creates contracting oversight panel
Sen. Joe Lieberman has created a subcommittee that will deal with contracting abuses. Sen. Claire McCaskill will chair the subcommittee.
People
IT execs confer with Obama
President Barack Obama met with technology executives to build support for IT initiatives in the economic stimulus legislation.
Acquisition
Panel will review Alaska Native set-asides
The House Small Business Committee said it will examine the SBA's program after a 2008 report raised questions about possible fraud.
Acquisition
Senator wants tougher checks on agencies' domestic buys
Sen. Brown wants to toughen the Buy America Act's requirements with a Web-based waiver process.
Cybersecurity
FEMA seeks IT for ID management
The agency wants innovative pricing choices for software that would control access and identity management to deal with surges in use after major disasters.
Cybersecurity
When complexity breeds remorse
As government tries to master big projects, the need for in-house expertise increases.
Modernization