Acquisition

EPA IG wants fewer cost-plus contracts

The agency also gave the contractors high ratings without sufficient documentation, the inspector general says.

People

CORRECTION: Census still plans to fingerprint temp workers

An FCW report that the Census Bureau had asked OPM to waive background checks for 2010 Census counters was based on incorrect information. We apologize for the confusion.

People

Army reopens online library to public

A month after the service blocked Reimer Digital Library behind the Army Knowledge Online firewall, it has changed its mind.

People

Census reconsiders use of handheld computers

The bureau agency may develop a paper-based backup plan as GAO places the 2010 Census on a high-risk list.

People

NASA IG: Manage official e-mail messages better

Incomplete guidance and lack of training have led to poor records management, a report states.

People

NRC CIO looks to modernize agency

At the top of Darren Ash's list is updating videoconferencing systems and improving broadband access at remote sites.

People

Clearances: Faster, but not better

Lawmakers worry about the quality of security clearances as agencies speed their processing.

People

4 studies in collaboration — Case 3: Puget Sound Information Challenge

Good ideas come to government agencies that ask people to contribute them.

People

Lawmakers want quality, not quantity, in security clearances

OMB's Clay Johnson defended the security clearance process by saying the important issue is it has not led to any security breaches.

People

Census to update online database

The Census Bureau awarded a contract to IBM Global Business Services Federal to replace American FactFinder, its Web portal for population data.

Acquisition

USPTO reveals plans for 2008 IT procurements

The agency plans to issue four RFPs for work such as systems and network engineering, database management, and help desk support.

People

Army to lift ban on public access to online library

The Federation of American Scientists had filed a FOIA request asking the Army to release all unclassified information housed at the Reimer Digital Library.

People

OMB: Security clearance backlog will be under control this year

Clay Johnson predicts that most agencies will be able to significantly reduce the amount of older backlogged applications by September.

People

In search of contracting officers

Coalition initiative targets college students to relieve strain on acquisition workforce.

People

Unions oppose bill with patent law changes

Fourteen labor organizations say legislation would undermine intellectual-property rights.

People

NNSA wants more funding for cybersecurity

Energy asks for $122 million to protect information.

Digital Government

Bush requests big budget increases for science agencies

The president has asked for across-the-board increases for the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the National Science Foundation and NASA.

People

OPM offers cultural training online

A new course on GoLearn.gov focuses on American Indian tribes, including their governments and historical facts.

People

Agencies head back to college to recruit acquisition workers

OMB and OPM have started the Federal Acquisition Intern Coalition to educate college students about government jobs.

People

Census says it is e-ready

Mitre's independent evaluation warns that numerators may need paper.