People
Report: Administration mulls new federal IT unit
Among the more radical changes under consideration is creation of a one-stop tech shop to work on high profile public-facing websites.
Acquisition
IT agenda teed up for 2014
Three key issues – acquisition, China sourcing and surveillance are likely to dominate the IT landscape in Congress.
People
Agencies face data deliverables in 2014
Some agencies have detailed schedules, others list overall goals, and a few appear to be behind the curve.
Acquisition
10 reports worth a second look
Among the most interesting Critical Read pieces FCW published in 2013 were ones covering the security clearance process, performance management and FISMA.
Modernization
The secrets of great teams
At USDA, a handful of IT leaders built a FedRAMP-certified cloud service -- ahead of schedule and under budget. Here's how they did it.
Acquisition
Conflicting contractor caps in budget, defense bill
Just because the president is likely to get the budget first is no guarantee he will sign it first – and the order is everything.
Digital Government
Budget passes Senate
The bill reduces the impact of the sequester but will force lawmakers to agree on specific spending cuts.
Acquisition
IT reform bill introduced in Senate
A bipartisan pair of appropriators wants to proceed with at least part of FITARA as stand-alone legislation.
People
Report: Plummeting morale threatens government output
The 2013 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey paints a picture of federal workers disheartened by furloughs, pay freezes and budget uncertainty.
Digital Government
NYU project touts 500 top open-data firms
The Open Data 500 is an honor roll of businesses that tap into federal, state, local, and other data streams to build products for their commercial ventures.
People
Former Microsoft exec to take over HealthCare.gov 'tech surge'
Kurt DelBene will take over from Jeff Zients, who will soon assume the directorship of the National Economic Council.
Digital Government
White House, oversight panel battle over contractor documents
Congressional overseers are continuing their efforts to get a handle on the reasons behind the buggy launch of HealthCare.gov and on the site's overall costs.
Cybersecurity
No split between NSA and Cyber Command
Despite task force recommendations, the White House makes clear that Alexander's successor will play both roles.
Acquisition
Trade groups seek relief from China-sourcing rules
A coalition of industry groups is asking lawmakers to keep supply-chain restrictions out of upcoming funding bills.
Modernization
House bill would compensate agencies for giving up spectrum
The idea is to create an incentive for agencies to relinquish spectrum as part of a plan to free up 500 megahertz for commercial use by 2020.
Acquisition
Sebelius orders probe of website contracting
The HHS secretary is also calling for the creation of a chief risk officer position at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services tasked with reducing risks associated with major policy initiatives.
Digital Government
Budget deal would avert threat of January shutdown
The final deal calls for $1 trillion in spending for fiscal 2014, reduces sequestration cuts, adds money for defense and domestic programs, and requires newly hired federal employees to contribute more to their retirement plans.
Acquisition
FITARA axed from defense bill
A revised version of the Pentagon policy bill could be considered in the House this week, but IT acquisition reform will have to wait until at least 2014.
Modernization
Wheeler postpones spectrum auction until IT is tested
The disastrous launch of HealthCare.gov looms as an object lesson on proving technology before it is deployed.
Cybersecurity