Acquisition

Proposal reveals blurry industry lines

Some are concerned about losing existing federal contracts for mapping and surveying if SmartBuy becomes the acquisition vehicle of choice.

People

Doing dashboards right

Experts say that a dashboard’s success or failure boils down to a few key elements.

People

Positive outlook for dashboards

Improved reporting features renew interest in use of electronic dashboards as a management tool.

People

GAO urges standardization of biometric data

The Government Accountability Office says the lack of standards and the use of proprietary formats has inhibited information sharing.

People

Standards needed for first-responder ID cards, industry group says

The Smart Card Alliance recommends adopting FIPS 201, which is already the security standard for federal ID cards.

People

GAO criticizes HSIN Next Gen management

GAO says DHS needs to address management deficiencies in its next-generation platform for sharing homeland security information with state and local authorities.

People

HSPD-12 card may promote information sharing

Use of the common process for identity management and authentication should increase trust among agencies.

People

Intell CIO to make standards the standard

The intelligence community is taking a new standards-based approach to information security.

People

GSA adds schedules oversight office

Divided among several offices, schedules program could go in different directions.

People

N-Dex: Strong growth potential in info-sharing

Some reports are now included in the FBI’s National Data Exchange (N-Dex) law enforcement information-sharing system.

People

Feds take counterterrorism local

New systems now undergoing trial runs could help resolve longstanding policy debates about information sharing.

People

Certified for security

Agencies should know how many employees at managed-security service providers carry certifications.

Digital Government

OMB to verify desktop configuration work

The Office of Management and Budget wants to make sure agencies are properly measuring their progress toward complying with the Federal Desktop Core Configuration.

People

Web research turns new page

Group readies protocol to improve sharing of Web-based research information.

People

DHS plans new TWIC rule

The program is on track to enroll 1.2 million workers by April 2009, according to the TWIC program manager.

People

Cybersecurity initiative seen as good first step

Agency officials addressed cyber issues, including counterintelligence and supply chain security at ITAA conference.

People

DOD tests contractors’ ID cards

The pilot program’s future could hinge on the question of who conducts background checks.

Acquisition

What’s going on?

Congress and the Bush administration introduce ways to measure contractor performance.

People

Editorial: The search mandate

Agencies have an obligation to keep up with the latest search standards.

Modernization

FEMA nears emergency alert standard

Goal is to create a national infrastructure so digital messages can be sent to TVs, radios and desktop computers.