Digital Government

BP asks for military tech to contain oil spill

Oil giant BP plc has requested assistance from the Defense Department for advanced underwater imaging technology and remote operating vehicles that are not available commercially to contain the growing oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, reports the Houston Chronicle.

Digital Government

Air Force rules target BlackBerry security

The Air Force will put in place this month strict rules and regulations governing how its personnel are allowed to use Air Force-issued BlackBerry smart phones as a way to improve security associated with the devices.

Digital Government

Cyber Command hits speed bump

The Senate Armed Services Committee this month put the brakes on the creation of the U.S. Cyber Command, requesting more information on its relationship with the National Security Agency, reports Bill Gertz at Washington Times.

Digital Government

GSA, DISA launch commercial satellite solicitation

The General Services Administration has added two new special item numbers for commercial satellite communications services to Federal Supply Schedule 70.

Digital Government

DOD policy targets weak link in information security

The Defense Department has issued a new policy to protect military information that travels between unclassified networks administered by contractors and the government, reports Federal News Radio.

Digital Government

PlayStations power Air Force 'supercomputer'

The Air Force Research Laboratory has built a supercomputer that is driven in part by several hundred Sony PlayStation 3 consoles.

Digital Government

Army kicks off consolidated buying season

The Army will open its semiannual consolidated buying program for desktop and notebook computers on Jan. 11, officials said today.

Digital Government

Encryption of Predator video feeds will take time

It could take as long as five years before video feeds from Predator and Reaper drones are fully encrypted and U.S. forces are able to keep enemy forces from intercepting the information, reports Ellen Nakashima in the Washington Post.

Digital Government

DOD budget forecast threatens new technology deployments

Personnel and equipment costs might cut deeply into key defense acquisition programs over the next several years, reports Michael Bruno at Aviation Week.

Digital Government

Alexander nominated to lead Cyber Command

Army Lt. Gen. Keith Alexander has been nominated for promotion to the rank of four-star general and also to the post of commander of the Defense Department’s new U.S. Cyber Command.

Digital Government

GSA, DISA want advice on buying commercial satellite services

GSA and DISA are seeking input from industry for a joint acquisition program that they plan to establish to meet civilian and defense agencies' needs for satellite services.

People

DARPA names Gabriel deputy director

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has selected Kaigham “Ken” Gabriel to serve as its new deputy director, the agency announced.

Modernization

Myers to head Defense Threat Reduction Agency

Kenneth A. Myers III has been selected to serve as the director of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency at Fort Belvoir, the Defense Department announced July 27.

Digital Government

Air Force taps three for $600M air, space intell competition

Three contractors will compete for $600 million in software support and information analysis tasks to support the National Air and Space Intelligence Center over five years, the Air Force announced July 8.

People

Louisiana gets a new CIO

Louisiana names Edward Driesse to serve as its new chief information officer.

People

GAO: FBI needs to refine cost controls for Sentinel

The FBI has strengthened internal oversight of its automated case-management system, but a new GAO report says tighter controls are necessary.

People

State plans integrated global payroll system

State Department officials want to replace two systems with a single one that will pay about 65,000 government employees, retirees and qualified beneficiaries in more than 180 countries.

Acquisition

DISA awards 14 large biz Encore II contracts

Encore II contractors will provide network-centric related services in such areas as command and control, intelligence and mission support.

People

Pennsylvania gets new CIO

Brenda Orth succeeds Kristen Miller, who state officials said resigned to return to the private sector.

People

State orders passport printers from L-1

The government expects to begin using the printers this summer at mega-processing centers in Arkansas and Arizona.