Digital Government

National Education Technology Plan in line for an update

The Education Department is preparing to update its National Education Technology Plan to include measures on adult education and on accessibility for people with learning disabilities.

Modernization

GSA, acquisition councils seek advice on publishing federal contract actions

The General Services Administration and federal acquisition councils are seeking advice from the public and affected businesses on how to publish federal contract text online.

Digital Government

Agencies sponsor $12M IT innovation contest

Organizations can compete on six teams for the best innovations in smart grid, IT infrastructure and green technology.

Digital Government

Baker responds to VA VistA report

Roger Baker, assistant secretary for information and technology at the VA, thanks the VistA advisory committee for its "exhaustive" report.

Modernization

Mobile SSA statistics: Agency wants an app for that

The Social Security Administration surveys vendors about creating iPhone applications.

Acquisition

HUD CIO seeks help with IT investment system

The Housing and Urban Development Department asks small-business contractors to bid on supporting HUD's IT Investment Management system.

Modernization

Bill would create Web portal for veterans' records

Rep. Niki Tsongas has introduced legislation to enable veterans to access their service records electronically through a Web portal.

Cybersecurity

Big Brother is watching in high definition

The Homeland Security Department is testing out a new 360-degree video surveillance system at Logan International Airport in Boston that is described as offering high-resolution imaging and analytics without the distortion of the typical fisheye lens.

People

Telework improvements bill falls short in House vote

The House of Representatives today failed to pass the Telework Improvements Act that would direct federal agencies to name telework coordinators and to set policies to maximize use of teleworking.

Acquisition

Is open source the cure for what ails VA's e-records?

An industry group convened by VA CIO Roger Baker is advising that VistA move to an open source platform and phase out MUMPS.

Digital Government

Health IT gets a $220M funding transfusion

The Health and Human Services Department will give 15 nonprofit organizations $220 million for health IT pilot projects.

Cybersecurity

DHS should assess effects of physical border fence, watchdog says

The GAO faulted Customs and Border Protection for spending $2.6 billion on physical fencing and vehicle barriers at the southwestern border without assessing their effectiveness.

Digital Government

GAO finds $325M awarded to ineligible firms under SBA program

The Government Accountability Office found numerous cases of fraud while investigating 14 firms that falsely received federal contracts under the pretext of being small and disadvantaged businesses.

Digital Government

HHS releases rule on insurance Web portal

The Health and Human Services Department has released an interim final rule on a new Web portal for information to allow consumers to compare insurance coverage.

Digital Government

IT included in Sebelius' top priorities for HHS

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius released her top strategic initiatives for the department, which include health IT elements.

Cybersecurity

Coast Guard has IT internal control problems, audit says

The Coast Guard performed slightly better in its fiscal 2009 audit of IT controls, but an audit still found problems.

Modernization

FEMA goes mobile with disaster info

FEMA has a new Web site to help victims get disaster-related information on their mobile phones.

Digital Government

Indian Health Service promotes its EHR as low-cost solution

The Indian Health Service wants other public-sector health programs to consider its RPMS digital medical record system as a possible low-cost solution.

Acquisition

VA exceeds contracting goals for veteran-owned businesses, GAO says

The Veterans Affairs Department surpassed its goals for contracting with companies owned by veterans during the last three years, GAO reports.

Digital Government

VA industry group ready to give advice on VistA

Ed Meagher, who chairs an industry group that advises the Veterans Affairs Department, is preparing recommendations for modernizing VistA.