Modernization

Army personnel database picks up where Pentagon left off

The Army's new pay and personnel system grew out of DoD's decision to cancel a department-wide database that the chairman of the Joint Chiefs called a disaster.

People

Linking research to real life (and to real-world budgets)

With a doctorate in neuroscience and a talent for finding funding, Ivy Estabrooke personifies the Office of Naval Research's straddling of science and military operations.

Acquisition

Pentagon ponders making IT subject to same rules as weapons

Defense Undersecretary Frank Kendall and Sen. Joe Donnelly used an Armed Services Committee hearing to discuss the possibility of using the same cost guidelines for IT and weapons systems.

Cybersecurity

Tech council blasts IT acquisition report

GSA's product- and service-centric approach ignores how those products and services would be used, argues the Information Technology Industry Council.

Digital Government

Coping with Congress

Lawmakers have given agencies long-term funding clarity for the first time in years. But the lack of budget drama could open the door to other conflicts.

People

Pentagon: IT departures won't disrupt relations with industry

A DOD spokesman said there was no timetable for replacing outgoing CIO Teri Takai.

Digital Government

Data Act sponsors look to implementation

Key backers say they will hold OMB's "feet to the fire" to ensure the agency lives up to the measure's requirements.

Cybersecurity

DOE releases cyber procurement guidelines

The nonbinding rules are aimed at reducing vulnerabilities in the power sector's procurement process.

Digital Government

Takai to leave DOD

CIO's May departure will add to the Pentagon's growing list of senior IT and management vacancies.

Acquisition

Seeking some common ground

Federal IT is difficult enough without viewing agencies and industry as zero-sum adversaries, writes FCW's Troy K. Schneider.

Acquisition

Improved Pentagon acquisition requires tolerance of risk

Overhauling the defense acquisition process is a national security imperative in tight budget times, argues a consultant and former Marine major general.

People

Brubaker leaving DOD

The Pentagon's director of planning and performance management is returning to the private sector.

Modernization

TASC taps ‘first federal CIO’

Mark Forman joins the defense contractor as vice president for IT services and cloud initiatives.

Acquisition

IBM gears up for Pentagon health push

With a major electronic health records procurement looming, IBM is growing its federal health IT footprint.

Cybersecurity

Increased trust boosts Pentagon-industry info sharing

In the seven years since the creation of the Defense Industrial Base Cybersecurity Information Assurance program, contractors have become less skittish about what sharing can do to their bottom lines, a Pentagon official says.

Modernization

DARPA seeks to redefine autopilot

ALIAS project aims for portable and configurable automation that can be plugged into a wide range of aircraft.

Cybersecurity

Guarding against Heartbleed not so simple

As DHS discusses the ongoing assessment, cybersecurity experts warn that "you never know when you're done."

Modernization

VDI moves to the cloud

To counter the strain desktop virtualization can put on data centers and administrators, some agencies and vendors are turning to desktop as a service.

Acquisition

Masiello talks pricing, LPTA and long-term contracts

The Air Force general told an AFCEA audience what vendors can expect on future acquisition efforts.

Cybersecurity

Gen. Franz takes over INSCOM

Federal 100 winner had previously commanded the Cyber National Mission Force.