Modernization

Cloud Computing Shoot Out targets federal adoption of the technology

Federal CIO Vivek Kundra will moderate the event, and is expected to discuss how cloud computing can decrease capital costs and streamline IT infrastructures for federal agencies.

People

The dawn of the 2.0 presidency

The foremost story of 2009 has been the transition from the Bush administration to President Barack Obama's administration -- and all the power shifts that trickle down through technology, policy, procurement and management in government.

People

NASA chooses Diaz to lead IT consolidation project

Deborah Diaz will lead NASA’s $4 billion IT consolidation project, an official confirmed today.

People

GSA saves money with contract reviews, IG says

GSA saved money with pre-award reviews of proposed contracts, the agency's IG says.

Cybersecurity

DHS procurement office eyes contract hybrids

The Homeland Security Department’s Office of Procurement Operations is looking at contracts that include some performance-based items as a way to meet governmentwide requirements to reduce spending on contracts considered to be high risk.

Acquisition

Agencies spending stimulus bucks through no-bid contracts, GAO finds

SBA, HUD and NASA awarded 35 percent or more of their stimulus law contracts noncompetitively, according to a new GAO report.

Acquisition

GAO ruling draws line on small-biz set-asides

The ruling eases the burden on certain types of small firms awarded work under contracts in which they were given "preference."

People

OMB survey asks who's gone green

The Office of Management and Budget wants to know more about agencies and their green purchasing and recycling habits.

Cybersecurity

NARA weighs standardizing access rules for foreign vendors seeking secret data

A NARA office wants to establish a standardized process through which some highly sensitive data could be released under special agreement to foreign-owned or controlled contractors.

Cybersecurity

Immigration and Customs looking at performance-based software development

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is considering using performance-based contracts for software development to modernize its IT systems.

People

HHS updates acquisition regs with new rules for transparency, green purchasing

The Health and Human Services Department is doing its first major update to its acquisition regulation since 2006.

People

OMB on hunt for programs with payment problems

Executive Order aims to reduce improper payments by making financial management a priority.

Acquisition

Gordon confirmed as OFPP chief

Gordon will be one of the key players in Obama’s plan to reform government contracting.

Acquisition

DOD to scrutinize contractors' support services

DOD will revise how its managers review contractors’ services that support work that is set aside for only government employees to perform.

Acquisition

Bill would jail crooks who wrongly get set-aside contracts

The House bill would also require establishing a database of businesses owned by service-disabled veterans and develop criteria to enter the program.

Acquisition

Fake firms rip off SBA set-aside program for $100M

Agencies that award contracts to service-disabled veterans don’t check on whether a company is eligible for the special set-aside and millions are lost, GAO official says.

Digital Government

DHS to take a closer look at IT spending

DHS prepares for less funding with reviews of major buys, including IT acquisitions, official says.

People

Ethics rule could slow DOD's revolving employment door

Defense Department employees who have worked on large procurements must get a written opinion from an ethics officer before signing on with a defense contractor.

Acquisition

Gordon gets Senate panel's nod for OFPP

Senate Governmental Affairs Committee chairman seems confident about Daniel Gordon getting the Senate’s approval to the the administator of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy.

Digital Government

Work stops again on TSA infrastructure contract

Barely a week after restarting work on its $500 million infrastructure contract, TSA issues a stop-work order to CSC.