Digital Government

Bush budget would cut IRS systems modernization

The service's Business Systems Modernization program wouldn't see a significant funding increase under President Bush’s fiscal 2009 budget.

Digital Government

2009 budget attacks escalating Medicare costs

Bush's budget would cut Medicare spending by $12.4 billion in fiscal 2009 and by $178.2 billion over five years.

People

Exodus depletes USDA CIO's office

3 high-level executives leave in a short time amid claims of a hostile environment.

Digital Government

USDA IT budget boosts financial management modernization funds

But overall IT development and modernization, at $472.9 million, is slightly lower for 2009 than this year.

People

IG to investigate traffic data program, contract

Sen. Orrin Hatch and Rep. Anthony Weiner requested the audit of the Transportation Technology Innovation and Demonstration Program.

People

OMB: Agencies cut payment errors

Once agencies have measured and reported program errors, they are able to implement corrective actions to reduce those errors in subsequent years.

People

OMB: Give CFOs more responsibility

Chief financial officers are ready to go beyond data collection, said Danny Werfel, acting controller at the Office of Management and Budget.

Modernization

Housing board encrypts mobile data on smart phones

The Federal Housing Finance Board is using Trust Digital's security software to meet information security requirements.

People

OMB to agencies: Use business standards in new financial software

In a new memo, OMB requires agencies to use governmentwide business standards when they upgrade their financial systems software and move to a shared-services provider.

People

Estimate of improper payments mounts with more scrutiny

Agencies reported a total estimate for improper payments of $55 billion in fiscal 2007 compared with $41 billion the year.

People

Memo: USDA prepared for CIO, CFO vacancies

CIO/CFO Charles Christopherson Jr. said the agency has plans to replace several employees who recently resigned or retired.

Digital Government

Reports: Green IT could save feds $1B in five years

Using environmentally friendly computers in data centers would be like taking 1.46 million cars off the road, according to one study.

Acquisition

Treasury awards Avineon IT security work

The services under the $10 million contract will support the department's Bureau of Engraving and Printing.

Digital Government

OMB wants privacy review details in FISMA reports

Agencies will report the number of each type of privacy review performed during the year in addition to information about the advice the senior agency privacy official provided, according to a new requirement.

People

A debit card you can bank on

The Treasury Department will offer Direct Express cards as an alternative to paper checks for recipients of Social Security and other federal benefit payments who do not have bank accounts.

Digital Government

SEC could demand transparency

Agency’s new taxonomy for data tagging would make change easier for companies

People

SSA must cut disability backlog to brace for boomer flood

Comptroller General David Walker says the current backlog will only get worse if the agency does not get more money and people to address the problem.

Acquisition

Pension agency takes new approach to buying IT services

The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. awarded Computer Sciences Corp. a $70.3 million contract that will streamline how it buys and manages services.

People

Labor seeks financial management system provider

The department is open to contracting with a shared-service provider in either the public or private sector.

Digital Government

VA renews effort to improve financial, asset management

The Financial and Logistics Integrated Technology Enterprise program will replace a similar initiative the department scrapped in 2004.