Modernization

Defining the role of technology in fighting waste, fraud, abuse

Technology helps stem the tide of bad spending practices, but there are weaknesses and gaps in agencies' use of it, experts say.

Acquisition

Treasury wants more women, minorities as contract employees

The Treasury Department is considering adding a clause to future contracts encouraging contractors to have more women and minorities among their employees.

Digital Government

Documents show Treasury employee misconduct, IG's response

A FOIA request revealed misconduct including inappropriate corporate gifts, claims of favortism and seeking illegal favors, according to published reports.

Modernization

7 challenges to 'cloud first'

Agencies are well on their way to the cloud but better planning is needed to fully realize the cloud-first policy.

People

Treasury to set up Internet Payment Platform

Department officials wants to make payment processing easier for federal employees and federal contractors.

Modernization

Solving virtualization's storage problem

Savings from server and desktop virtualization can disappear fast if storage isn't part of the plan

Modernization

IRS saved millions by virtualizing servers, IG says

The Internal Revenue Service saved a bundle by virtualizing about 2,500 servers, according to a new report from the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.

Digital Government

IRS cautioned not to give up legacy e-file system yet

The Internal Revenue Service is in the final phase of transitioning to its Modernized e-File system, but recent performance problems suggest it should not give up its legacy system yet, according to a new audit.

Modernization

OMB ups the ante on improper payments

Agencies are asked to plan ahead to implement "Do Not Pay" tool into existing operations.

Cybersecurity

IGs: IRS, SSA and DHS lose billions in improper payments

Inspectors general at the Internal Revenue Service, Social Security Administration and Homeland Security Department recently drilled down on improper payments problems.

People

Federal CIO details IT forecast

Administration pledges progress in IT despite budget cuts.

Digital Government

Justice wireless network struggling, IG says

The Justice Department's ambitious plan to replace Land Mobile Radios with modern systems has gotten stalled, leaving agents still using the old equipment.

People

Feds owe $1B in back taxes

Almost 100,000 federal employees owe more than $1 billion in unpaid taxes -- and that could cost them their jobs.

Modernization

IRS spending $320M on website improvements

The Internal Revenue Service has begun an ambitious $320 million upgrade to its website, but it is missing some elements in the roadmap for its investment, according to a new GAO report.

Digital Government

Obama administration steps up efforts to curb fraud and waste

Officials claim billions in savings through new program.

Acquisition

Old tricks for abusing purchase cards apparently still in use, audit finds

Internal Revenue Service employees appear to be circumventing the micro-purchasing rules using some old techniques that still work -- until auditors catch on.

Digital Government

Federal Reserve wants to read your Facebook posts

The Federal Reserve Bank of New York is about to hire a contractor tasked with creating "social media listening platforms" to gauge the nation's economic mood.

People

IRS vendor management yields big savings in short time

IRS's experience yields practical tips for making a VMO effective at creating cost savings.

Modernization

Treasury announces plan for invoice portal

The Treasury Department will install an electronic invoice processing system by the end of fiscal 2012.