Digital Government
BlackBerries to help Chicago manage youth services
Chicago’s Department of Children and Youth Services will be getting free services and devices through a donation from Sprint and eAccess Solutions.
Modernization
Colorado combines GIS, weather data
The state is implementing WeatherBug’s GIS Data Services in its Emergency Operations Center to enable emergency management workers to view weather data overlaid on geographic information.
People
States need $1B to implement Real ID, governors say
DHS estimates that the cost to states of complying with the Real ID Act of 2005 will exceed $14 billion over 10 years, according to a letter from state leaders.
Modernization
Energy awards $14M contract for IT support
REDE, a small 8(a) company, will also provide telecom support for DOE's Oak Ridge, Tenn., division.
People
CyberShift software will help N.C. city manage employees
High Point, N.C., will use time-and-attendance software.
People
Lieberman would up ante on first-responder funding
The chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee proposes adding $3.4 billion above the White House’s budget for first responder programs.
Cybersecurity
Congress, states and DHS face off over Real ID
Shortage of funding, privacy concerns bog down nationwide implementation plan.
Modernization
Pa. chooses PKI to manage first-responder access cards
The standardized digital infrastructure will allow state officials to adjust to emergencies by distributing personnel where they’re needed most.
People
Mass. transit authority issues smart cards for e-ticketing
Using smart cards from Gemalto, passengers on buses and subways in the Boston area can swipe them in front of a reader that deducts fares.
People
GAO urges DOD to better regulate inventory lead times
Defense Department agencies regularly miss estimates on the lead times needed for acquiring spare parts, needlessly tying up billions of dollars, GAO found.
Acquisition
OMB starts small-biz regulatory review team
The Federal Acquisition Regulation Small Business Team will coordinate with SBA on rulemaking.
People
Katrina subcontracting plans incomplete, GAO finds
The recording problems have raised the ire of Sen. John Kerry, who requested that agencies send guidance to their procurement offices about better tracking data.
People
Agencies improved information dissemination, access in 2006, OMB says
According to the Office of Management and Budget's latest report to Congress, agencies’ use of e-government continued to grow.
People
DHS releases draft regulations for Real ID
They come a day after Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii) reintroduced a bill to repeal the law, citing the burden on states along with privacy concerns.
People
New group to coordinate homeland security intelligence
The group's analysts will not generate alerts or warnings, but will provide strategic assessments of threats and disseminate them through established routes.
Cybersecurity
Are there perils in penetration testing?
Yes, but calm heads can help you choose whether to outsource or do it yourself.
People
A new Congress is open to new ideas
Experts in congressional relationships say agency leaders should seize the opportunity.
People
Indiana DHS to use software to better track emergency response
Envisage Technologies’ Acadis Readiness Suite will let the department keep tabs on training statewide for fire, hazmat, medical, search and rescue, and other first responders.
People
HUD creates online housing locator for disaster assistance
The locator lets users set search criteria to locate available housing in a one-stop shop environment.
Digital Government