People

Letter: FEMA front lines no place for novice acquisition workers

Getting someone straight out of college and putting them on the front line is not an answer to the shortage of acquisition workers, one reader writes.

Modernization

Most agencies still wary of SaaS

But DOD and GSA see software as a service as a way to reduce development costs.

People

Time for a Schedule 70 makeover?

New director of GSA's schedules contracts sorts through ideas for updating the program.

Modernization

Housing board encrypts mobile data on smart phones

The Federal Housing Finance Board is using Trust Digital's security software to meet information security requirements.

People

Condon joins Booz Allen Hamilton

Mary Ellen Condon formerly was vice president and director of strategic services at SRA International.

People

GSA to grade agencies on 508 compliance

The IT Accessibility and Workforce division will sample solicitations and let agencies know how well they are meeting the requirements.

People

Letter: Restricting network use could have unintended consequences

A reader says the current practice of having contractors log onto corporate Web sites to record daily timesheet data is the cheapest, easiest way to satisfy contractual obligations -- but it could be banned under DOD’s proposed restrictions

People

Letter: End the acquisition Cold War

In one reader's view, government’s business naiveté has led to Soviet-style inefficiency in contracting, and it will take some enlightened leadership to end it.

Acquisition

Next phase of Security LOB may include SmartBuy deal

Officials want to offer tools through an enterprisewide contract for certain functions under situational awareness and incident reporting.

People

Letter: Economics, budget issues important in government affairs

Regarding the comment piece, Wagner: The cost analysis muddle, a reader writes: I have learned that most people in government, including IGs, Congressmen and ESPECIALLY their staffs, have no clue about operations costs and the way the productive world actually operates.

Acquisition

GAO: OFPP needs strategy for SARA panel recommendations

Auditors find that 37 of 89 suggestions are instituted or are in the process of being instituted, but more oversight is needed.

People

State orders passport printers from L-1

The government expects to begin using the printers this summer at mega-processing centers in Arkansas and Arizona.

Acquisition

GSA adds security services to schedules

Agencies can get more help with designing and maintaining systems under the additional services.

Acquisition

SBA chief: Tougher times ahead for agency contracting scores

The agency is reviewing the standards and data by which it measures federal contracts with small businesses, which will make it more difficult for agencies to meet their contracting goals, SBA Administrator Steve Preston said.

Acquisition

Treasury awards Avineon IT security work

The services under the $10 million contract will support the department's Bureau of Engraving and Printing.

People

Census says it is e-ready

Mitre's independent evaluation warns that numerators may need paper.

People

GSA looking for software as a service for USA.gov

The agency has issued two requests for proposals for Web analytics and online collaboration tools.

People

Army researches contract to fill ITES gaps

The Army Small Computer Program plans a small-business-oriented, $23 million multiple-award contract for IT services.

People

Got game? NASA wants to know

The agency is interested in building an online world in which players can tinker with experiments that apply science, technology, engineering and math concepts.