Cybersecurity

VA may have bent the rules for iPads, iPhones

The Veterans Affairs Department approved iPhones and iPads for its network last year while partially avoiding a particular FISMA requirement, according to a new audit.

Digital Government

VA DOD joint record to be deployed from 2014 to 2017

Even after the Veterans Affairs-Defense new joint integrated health record system begins rolling out in 2014, many functionalities will still need to be migrated to the new system, according to a senior VA official.

Digital Government

VA and DOD pick common medical vocabulary for electronic records

THe Veterans Affairs and Defense departments are adopting a common vocabulary and structured data system for medical terms for their upcoming joint digital record system.

People

Head of VA Acquisition Academy to step down

Lisa Doyle plans a big career change after more than 20 years in federal acquisition.

Digital Government

VA IT budget to get a boost in House spending bill

The Veterans Affairs Department's information technology budget gets a hefty raise next year under a proposal released by the House Appropriations Committee.

People

Federal agency CIOs squeeze savings from IT spending

CIO shares successful savings strategies.

People

Warriors to Workforce program gives vets a second chance

The VA Acquisition Academy's Lisa Doyle created the Warriors to Workforce program to train wounded veterans to become acquisition professionals.

Acquisition

VA resumes reverse auctions, but questions linger

Updated guidelines on reverse auctions require contracting officers to show how they benefit the agency's bottom line.

Acquisition

VA official explains decision to halt reverse auctions

Jan Frye says reverse auctions seem to have allowed contracting officers to take a lax approach to their work.

Digital Government

VA takes next steps on digital health record system

The Veterans Affairs Department has awarded a new contract for development of a joint platform for an electronic health record system with the Defense Department.

Digital Government

Technology speeds VA effort to cut claims backlog

A Veterans Benefits Administration official testified to a House committee that the agency is on the right track toward meetings its goal of eliminating the claims backlog.

Acquisition

VA pushes relationship repair with industry suppliers

The Veterans Affairs Department is leading the charge to improve procurement through better communication with industry.

Modernization

OMB ups the ante on improper payments

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

Digital Government

White House discloses administrative costs for innovation contests

A progress report on innovation challenges released by the White House indicates that some federal agencies are paying for contractor assistance in administering the challenges.

Cybersecurity

FISMA noncompliance leaves VA vulnerable

Audit finds Veterans Affairs Department has made strides, but is still not meeting FISMA directives with its information security program.

Digital Government

VA cancels component of Microsoft licensing agreement

VA CIO Roger Baker pulled the plug on a deal in which the agency pays annual fees to get discounted upgrades.

Digital Government

Agencies test user ideas for mobile tech

IT executives at two agencies turned to their employees for ideas of smart uses of mobile technologies.

Digital Government

Forget mobile-device strategy: Here's a better way.

As federal managers struggle to get a handle on mobile devices, speakers at a FOSE panel offer another approach.

Cybersecurity

Agencies get a boost from agile development

Government and industry execs discuss successful acquisition strategies in wake of shrinking budgets.

People

VA looking for mobile apps in innovation contest

The Veterans Affairs Department announced a new round of industry competition to develop applications and solutions for the department.