Modernization
NTIA spectrum update, VA's wait-time audit, CAMEO task orders and more
News and notes from around the federal IT community.
People
House and Senate VA bills put senior execs on notice
Legislation is in motion to give the VA more authority to fire senior executives, but is that the best solution to the agency's woes?
Modernization
How VA's $36 million move to the cloud evaporated
The Department of Veterans Affairs IT shop scuttled a long-planned cloud deal because of worries about email retention and security concerns.
People
Media life and real life
Steve Kelman reports on some public servants who are unlikely to make the papers.
Digital Government
VA waiting lists and performance measurement
Steve Kelman argues that allegations about secret wait lists at the VA are a sign of performance management's power, not its problems.
Modernization
Pairing up for shared services
Potential users and providers should try to match their needs as closely as possible, top IT managers say.
Digital Government
Patient data the next IT frontier at VA
The VHA’s Kathleen Frisbee predicts that patient-generated data will swamp electronic health records in terms of volume.
Cybersecurity
Improving IT security by implementing better governance
As agency executives look to implement and reinforce cybersecurity as part of their overall IT and programmatic priorities, an important OMB policy and industry implementation framework can provide context and support by enabling sound IT governance.
Digital Government
House seeks details on VA's health record push
Three-fourths of agency's IT funding would be contingent on Congress getting a granular explanation of the plan for VistA.
Acquisition
Lawmakers push consolidation of small business preference process
Under current law, the VA runs its own Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business program, and the SBA handles those duties for all other agencies.
Acquisition
IBM gears up for Pentagon health push
With a major electronic health records procurement looming, IBM is growing its federal health IT footprint.
Acquisition
Debacle or triumph: The deciding factors
Steve Kelman looks at four fundamental factors that can determine whether a large-scale IT project fails or flourishes.
Cybersecurity
Will more money for VA fix the IT 'deficiencies'?
Fiscal 2015 budget request would boost funding for IT security, but legislators have their doubts.
Cybersecurity
Federal agencies flunking FOIA
None of the 15 agencies studied earned an A on a Freedom of Information Act report card from the Center for Effective Government, and seven – including DOD, DHS and State – got an F.
People