Acquisition
Readers react: The problems with the DOD acquisition workforce
Our recent story about the defense acquisition workforce struck a nerve with a lot of readers, who have pretty strong ideas about what needs to be fixed.
Modernization
Education technology gets millions
The economic stimulus law provides $650 million for school purchases that include computers, networks and instructional software.
Acquisition
Obama: Big changes coming in federal contracting
President Obama wants more oversight of no-bid contracts and wants agencies to review their existing contracts to identify waste.
Digital Government
Panel: DOD needs experienced procurement people
Former defense officials agreed that the Defense Department can't make better purchasing decisions without experienced acquisition people.
People
Agencies get cost-estimating advice from GAO
A guide offers step-by-step recommendations for how to avoid cost overruns, missed deadlines and performance gaps.
People
Readers react: Obama ponders contract reforms
Several readers have responded to an FCW report that the Obama administration planned to review the government's use of certain types of contracts.
People
GAO: New mind-set would improve defense acquisition
Defense experts and officials say congressional changes alone won't correct acquisitions problems.
Modernization
Recovery.gov linked to other stimulus tracking sites
The White House's Recovery.gov Web site for tracking stimulus spending is posting links to federal and state sites.
Modernization
Administration asks for $20.5 billion increase for defense
The Defense Department’s acquisition process will be reformed under the White House’s proposed budget.
People
GAO: Barred contractors get millions
More than two dozen federal contractors guilty of fraud and illegal activity still managed to win millions of dollars in contracts, according to a new GAO report.
Acquisition
Administration wants to change contracting
Officials intend to review sole-source contracts and cost-type contracts, which offer awards for good performance, while clarifying the types of work only government employees can do.
Acquisition
House boosts agency spending in fiscal 2009 appropriations
The House approved $410 billion for the major agencies, which have been operating under a continuing resolution since October.
Cybersecurity
FAA will use software to identify sensitive data
A recent data breach demonstrated how difficult it is for agencies with a large infrastructure to know where all their sensitive data is and to assure its security, an official says.
People
Group recommends 'tiger teams' for acquisitions
Agencies should set up teams of experts to write clear contract requirements at the earliest stages of the acquisition process, report says.
Modernization
TSA checks out systems for waiting time data
The agency wants information on systems to collect hourly data on waiting times for passenger security checkpoints at airports.
Digital Government
Acquisition workforce may grow
OMB officials consider ways to reallocate employees to meet the contracting and oversight demands of the stimulus package.
Digital Government
Guerra: Bid protests as a business strategy
Consultant Robert Guerra is outraged that someone is trying to make money by teaching companies how to protest unsuccessful bids, no matter why they lost.
Modernization
USA.gov will move to cloud computing
A contractor will provide hosting, storage and disaster recovery services for GSA’s Web portals.
People