Acquisition

Two bills look to give small business an edge in contracting

Small Business Committee Chairman Sam Graves hopes that putting teeth in data reporting requirements will give smaller firms a better chance to compete for federal contracts.

Digital Government

White House issues policy guide for administrative data sharing

Detailed guidance spells out what agencies can do to overcome institutional barriers to using data through collaboration across programs and agencies.

Acquisition

House passes FITARA (again)

The IT acquisition bill, modified since it first went to the Senate in 2013, was approved by voice vote.

Digital Government

Group launches national effort for health IT interoperability

Private-sector successor to eHealth Exchange will focus on framework for data sharing and industry cooperation.

Acquisition

FITARA to get another look in the House

The IT acquisition overhaul bill the House will vote on Tuesday includes a few changes from the version included in the House-passed defense policy measure last year.

Cybersecurity

DHS seeks assessment of cybersecurity market for smaller companies

The agency wants to encourage small and midsize businesses to adopt the Cybersecurity Framework.

Cybersecurity

How DHS is helping implement the cyber framework

C3 program will help critical infrastructure operators with readiness and risk management.

Digital Government

FCC plans new basis for old network neutrality rules

The goal is to provide a legal rationale that does not ban certain activities, but Republicans on the commission are skeptical.

Modernization

White House team seeks answers on agency spectrum management

The move is the latest in the administration’s effort to free up spectrum for use in wireless broadband to meet the growing demand for data-intensive mobile services.

Digital Government

GAO: Better guidance needed on Computer Matching Act

OMB needs to be more consistent if the law is to achieve its purpose of avoiding waste and duplication, a new report says.

People

New performance goals in the offing

Beyond the overall review, DDM Beth Cobert says there is more to come on the administration's look at IT procurement and program management.

Digital Government

How VA is driving telemedicine

The agency's scale, vision and customer base have put it on the leading edge. But that also means being the first to face technical and operational challenges.

People

Major cities not playing ball with OPM clearance probes

One of the cities that has refused to help with background checks for federal employees and contractors is Washington, D.C.

Digital Government

Watchdog groups push Senate, White House on Data Act

Organizations as diverse as the Sunlight Foundation and Gun Owners of America want the legislation passed without the changes proposed by OMB.

Acquisition

ICE seeks new case management system

The push to get a new system in place by September 2015 comes as ICE is digging its way out of an abandoned effort with Raytheon to replace an aging, Cobol-based system.

People

New bill would elevate IG pay, authority

The legislation aligns with changes supported by the Council of Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency.

Cybersecurity

House panel probes delays in border enforcement system

The modernization effort is running into a familiar problem: trying to update legacy tech while simultaneously keeping the system running.

Cybersecurity

Data breaches a hot topic on the Hill

Two committees will be holding hearings this week, but the fate of legislation aimed at boosting the federal role in combatting data breaches remains uncertain.

Digital Government

Website problems drive drop in satisfaction with government

Only Internet service providers got a lower rating than the government in the latest American Customer Satisfaction Index survey, and federal websites bear much of the blame.

Cybersecurity

Defense, DHS, VA drive rise in federal employment

Three national-security related departments accounted for 77 percent of the total government-wide increase in compensation from 2004 to 2012.