Modernization

Virginia puts telework in the fast lane

Gov. Tim Kaine has created an office to promote the use of broadband networks and teleworking across the public and private sectors.

People

GAO: DOD not tracking acquisition employees

Under Title X of the U.S. Code, the Defense secretary must publish a list of critical acquisition positions, and the services are required to ensure they are filled by qualified employees.

People

Virginia to post performance data online

Agency officials have been asked to identify key metrics to gauge how well they are fulfilling their missions.

Acquisition

Northrop to provide wireless public safety net for NYC

Under the $500 million contract, the company will build a network to help fill in the communications gaps that occurred during the 2001 terrorist attacks, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said.

Modernization

Boucher: Net neutrality stalls broadband measure

A telecommunications reform bill now in Congress would allow government to provide high-speed Internet access where no other services are available.

People

Enough of ‘ready, fire, aim’

Colorado legislators get involved in trying to prevent IT projects that misfire and waste millions.

Modernization

Calif. cities to get traffic sensors

Traffic.com will install sensors in San Jose and Sacramento to monitor about 1,000 miles of expressway.

People

Providence unveils mesh network

Providence is the first state capital to install a citywide mesh network that will let police, firefighters and other emergency employees file reports and access information from the field.

People

House to consider funding-database bill

House and Senate leaders agreed on specific language to iron out the differences in similar bills to track federal grants.

Digital Government

DynCorp moves headquarters to Northern Virginia

The provider of technical services to government agencies was previously based in Irving, Texas, where DynCorp employs approximately 600 people.

Digital Government

Supercomputing partnerships produce success, studies show

Two reports show that public/private alliances have positive results and that human interaction is more important than the computers.

People

Senate wants details on agencies' IT projects

A subcommittee wants agencies to list projects by vendor so it can help OMB oversee the projects that are at-risk or on the Management Watch List.

People

IG questions NASA procurement

A memo states that NASA officials are attempting to noncompetitively renew a software vendor’s licenses on a long-term basis, despite protests of the acquisition and NASA’s promise to issue a new competitive solicitation.

Digital Government

Walker: FEMA lacks financial reporting for Katrina

According to GAO, FEMA lacks a mechanism to request and report the financial activity of agencies working under FEMA in an emergency situation.

Modernization

Rhode Island leads nation in wireless investment

A reseller's study reveals the New England state is able to provide statewide wireless coverage across all levels of government.

Cybersecurity

4 ways to look beyond classified data to combat terrorists

Authors urge greater use of open-source information.

Cybersecurity

GAO: FDIC needs better information security

The watchdog agency says the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. has not fully implemented its information security program.

Cybersecurity

DHS issues final critical-infrastructure rule

It dictates how the department will handle information it receives from the private sector and state, local and tribal governments.

Cybersecurity

State, local Real ID spending to grow

Input predicts that state and local governments will spend $2.5 billion between now and 2012 on initiatives under the act.

Modernization

Louisiana extends Digimarc contract

Separately, Digimarc released Biometric Identification 2.0, which screens for people trying to apply for a driver's license when they already have one.