People

Free File opens for early birds

This year the program is open to taxpayers with adjusted gross incomes of as much as $52,000, which encompasses 70 percent of taxpayers, the IRS said.

Acquisition

Performance-based acquisitions down in fiscal 2006

Departments slid to 49 percent in fiscal 2006 from 50.9 percent in fiscal 2005, the Federal Procurement Data System-Next Generation found.

People

Seeking more transparency, senators turn to Web

Several bills recommend putting online more details of Senate proceedings, such as committee hearings and the text of legislation before senators vote on it.

Cybersecurity

OMB checks progress on HSPD-12

Starting March 1, agencies must report quarterly on their Web sites how many credentials they have issued.

People

GSA awards contract for e-travel data analysis

TRX Data Services will develop systems for consolidating data, generating management reports and mining data for potential savings.

People

Bill proposes database on slave records

It would establish an electronic database in the National Archives to aid black Americans’ search for information on their ancestors.

People

Murphy to leave GSA for law firm

She will join former OFPP administrator Angela Styles at Miller & Chevalier.

Digital Government

Democrats put spotlight on data mining

Senate Democrats vow to investigate the Bush administration's privacy programs.

People

Business owners can get tax help online

The IRS and SBA are touting their Web sites as places to get current tax information.

People

Roback becomes Treasury's acting CIO

No permanent replacement has been named for Ira Hobbs, who retired Jan. 3.

People

Senators go to Web for transparency

Bills introduced this week would require senators to file campaign finance reports electronically and mandate a Web site to list the details of conference reports before senators can vote on them.

People

IRS, IG disagree on process vs. independent judgment

Officials object to the IG’s recommendation to establish a process to determine the effects of deferred work on funding, saying it is a waste of resources.

People

IRS uses Web to make up for lost time

Last-minute laws passed before Congress adjourned have hindered the agency's ability to get out up-to-date tax information.

Cybersecurity

OMB directs agencies to GSA for credit monitoring

A memo requires agencies to consider GSA’s service offerings along with any other monitoring services they are researching, and to show how any new agreement beats GSA’s deals.

People

Government Reform gets a new moniker

The House Committee on Government Reform will now be called the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, according to new rules approved by the new Democrat-controlled Congress.

Cybersecurity

GSA awards contract for mobile data security

Intelligent Decisions will use Credant Technologies' encryption software to secure personnel data and other sensitive information stored on laptops, according to the companies.

People

SARA panel: Feds need tutorial on performance-based deals

Program managers often fail to define metrics that have a direct link to the desired results, according to the panel's draft report.

Acquisition

SARA panel: Parameters needed to guide contract growth

OMB should provide agencies with guidelines for creating and reauthorizing contracts, the panel recommends.

Acquisition

Doan declines Snowe's request for GWAC restriction

The senator wanted the GSA Information Technology Global Operations contract limited to HUBZone businesses.

Modernization

IDC: Market analysts might have overestimated IPv6 spending

Beware of unrealistic spending numbers, Government Insights Research Director Shawn McCarthy cautions IPv6 vendors.