People

Innovative NIH online purchasing system honored

National Institutes of Health's Purchasing Online Tracking System generates $1 million in savings a year by eliminating double data entry and reducing staffing and resource costs.

Digital Government

HHS' new strategic plan emphasizes health IT

The Health and Human Services Department has asked for feedback on its draft strategic plan for 2010 to 2015.

People

White House issues second-quarter report card for agency open-gov plans

Despite a second chance at revisions, 11 federal agencies are still falling short on their open-government plans, according to White House Chief Technology Officer Aneesh Chopra.

People

Social media emerge as digital avenue for emergency response

The public increasingly is turning to Facebook and Twitter for help in emergencies -- and it expects government agencies to be paying attention, according to a new Red Cross survey.

People

VA data breach reports available online

The Veterans Affairs Department invites the public to view its monthly reports on data breaches and on lost and stolen laptops and BlackBerrys.

Modernization

Education Department sets up new Web site for data display

The Education Department has decided to make all its school and student data available in one place on a new Web site called ED Data Express.

Digital Government

Baker: VA making progress on lifetime electronic record system

Veterans Affairs Department CIO Roger Baker said the VA is moving on the VLER project and expects a decision by year's end on the VistA modernization project.

Digital Government

VA to test paperless claims processing system

The Veterans Affairs Department will start testing a new paperless system to process disability claims in November.

Digital Government

Census came in $1.6B under budget, Locke says

Commerce Secretary Gary Locke today said there was a 22 percent savings in this year's budget for the 2010 U.S. Census.

Digital Government

White House uses LinkedIn for policy discussion

The White House claims success in using its LinkedIn group to hold a members-only discussion on Wall Street reforms.

Modernization

The rush is on to approve applications for broadband funds

The Agriculture and Commerce departments are rushing to review and approve $4.2 billion in stimulus law funding for broadband by Sept. 30, a report says.

People

Social media's dark side: The privacy dilemma

Federal agencies have made strong inroads in using social media such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and GovLoop. But significant privacy concerns are just now starting to emerge.

Modernization

DHS meets most conditions for border systems

The Homeland Security Department has satisfied or partially satisfied 10 of the 11 conditions Congress set on obligating funds for border security systems, fencing and technology in 2010, the GAO says in a new report.

People

State seeks mentors for Apps4 Africa contest

The State Department is looking for IT professionals to mentor African developers in the Apps4 Africa innovation competition.

Digital Government

HHS to give states $1M each for health insurance exchanges

States and the District of Columbia will get $51 million to help them set up new insurance marketplaces.

Modernization

FEMA needs to bridge logistics software gaps: IG

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has made progress in logistics, but its Total Asset Visibility logistics information system isn't finished, a new report says.

Digital Government

GSA's Bev Godwin discusses 'face-tweeting'

The new media director said White House staffers used that term to describe simultaneous Facebook and Twitter posting.

Digital Government

A few bons mots on Drupal, Facebook from DOE's new media director

Cammie Croft, who heads up new media at the Energy Department, talks about the new Energy Blog that uses Drupal and about a recent dust-up on Facebook.

Cybersecurity

Money pit: $3B in cost overruns for Coast Guard's Deepwater procurement

The Coast Guard's Deepwater asset procurement program has seen its costs skyrocket while its performance capabilities degrade, according to a new report from the GAO.