Digital Government

Postal Service mail tracking system doesn't deliver

Watchdog agency finds the project was finished 10 months late and failed to significantly streamline the types of bar codes used to trace deliveries.

Ideas

Flight Sims Prep Fighter Pilots

DefenseNews has an interesting article today on how gaming technology is <a href="http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=4396100&c=FEA&s=SPE">playing a larger role</a> in military pilot training. As the technology has improved, so has the level of realism in the simulations. This is crucial because it helps pilots prepare for the range of events they may encounter when flying during a mission.

Ideas

Movement On Net Neutrality

Today's Federal Register includes an <a href="http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-28062.pdf">official notice</a> from the FCC that it is proposing a rule that would "preserve the open Internet." Net Neutrality has been a hot topic in recent days; last week a White House official <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/24/AR2009112404175.html">spoke out in favor</a> of the concept and took a shot at the broadband industry.

Digital Government

Census director focuses on putting IT to the test before the big count

In an interview with Nextgov, Robert Groves talks about testing the bureau's networks designed for the decennial census, his development philosophy and using the Internet in 2020.

Digital Government

Technology glitch underscores need for new air traffic control system

FAA has started to test features of the modernization program NextGen and will roll them out incrementally.

Digital Government

FEMA weighs outfitting housing inspectors with smart phones

Move would allow inspectors to carry fewer pieces of equipment and work more efficiently.

Digital Government

GSA pushes back Networx deadlines

Even with the extensions, agencies are unlikely to finish moving to the new contract by the time the old one expires, observer says.

Ideas

Air Force Needs More PS3s?

Part of my job involves searching through , the online home for almost all procurement-related federal notices. The vast majority of the technology-related notices in <a href="http://www.fedbizopps.gov/">FedBizOps</a> are pretty standard: hardware purchases and requests for information for new security software. Occasionally you'll see a notice about a bigger upcoming project.

Ideas

Data.gov: Where's the Beef?

Considering the amount of resistance the White House has faced recently on everything from health care reform to the ballooning deficit, it would appear that President Obama's honeymoon is officially over. That means it may be time to start questioning how successful his administration has been in terms of delivering on promises to bring unprecedented transparency to the executive branch by publishing government data online.

Digital Government

Business costs, skills top list for contractors locating operations in U.S.

Report is part of a series by TechAmerica to highlight how technology contractors can establish operations -- and keep jobs -- in the United States.

Ideas

TSA Nominee Doesn't Check Out

My <em>Government Executive</em> colleague Alyssa Rosenberg has some <a href="http://blogs.govexec.com/fedblog/2009/11/vetting_gone_wrong.php">harsh but fair words</a> about he Obama administration's vetting process:

Digital Government

Northrop's sale of business unit signals start of a divestiture trend

A law requiring Defense to restrict integrators from both developing and overseeing weapons systems work should force more sales.

Digital Government

Bill to increase oversight of IT projects gets big boost from report

GAO finds $3 billion in cost overruns for IT projects, adding support for a Senate proposal requiring agencies to post reasons for cost overruns on major projects.

Ideas

A HIPAA Twist That Can Hurt

Today at the TechAmerica panel discussion on identity management, Rick Kam of ID Experts brought up an interesting anecdote that illustrates the importance of using precise language when crafting information security legislation. Kam said confusion over the wording of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HIPAA">Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act</a> (HIPAA) has led to some victims of medical identity theft being locked out of their own medical records.

Digital Government

Social networking sites a treasure trove for identity thieves

With Twitter, Brightkite and Flickr, a criminal can learn people's activities and movements and create detailed accounts about their work or personal lives.

Digital Government

Defense's space program weighed down by delays and cost overruns

Programs to build ground stations and satellites have been delayed as much as seven years and costs are estimated to increase by $11 billion from fiscal 2008 through fiscal 2013.

Ideas

The Unreported White House Logs

The White House has been attracting attention recently for posting <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/disclosures/visitor-records">visitor logs</a> online in an attempt to demonstrate the unprecedented level of transparency that President Obama has promised since his campaign began. This is the first time such information has been posted online.

Digital Government

Census Bureau meets deadline to build address file for 2010 Census

Handheld computers performed well in checking and adding addresses used to mail census forms to the nation's 140 million households.

Digital Government

GSA awards $99 million contract for IT support to combat drug trafficking

Booz Allen Hamilton will explore functionalities that will enhance an information sharing system for law enforcement agencies.