Author Archive

Matthew Weigelt

Matthew Weigelt is a freelance journalist who writes about acquisition and procurement.
Digital Government

SPAWAR looks to advance GPS system software

The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command is considering a follow-on contract to sustain the system software used by the Global Positioning System-based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Services.

Cybersecurity

All used up: Agency hardware recycling guideline lacks muscle

GSA guidelines don't carry the weight that mandates do with feds, and GAO believes that the rules for electronic waste disposal needs the backing of an agency with enforcement powers.

Infrastructure

Will Kundra's 5 top initiatives survive?

The ambitious and sometimes controversial former federal CIO had no shortage of big ideas for reforming government IT. But can they succeed without him?

Infrastructure

How does your agency rank on Performance.gov?

The new online dashboard tracks how well managers get their jobs done in advancing the president's management programs, and makes the information open to the public.

Digital Government

During quake, social media was communication of choice

In a potentially disastrous earthquake, social media provided the connectivity people needed.

Cybersecurity

DOD need for info-sharing speed backfired with WikiLeaks

Senators warn about reverting to the pre-9/11 days of hoarding information, and say instead that agencies need to balance security concerns with needs.

Digital Government

Obama proposes slight boost for IT spending in 2012

The Obama administration is taking on several programs to keep IT projects in line with its goals as it introduces its fiscal 2012 budget proposal.

Cybersecurity

GSA fails to follow through with IT security, IG says

Auditors found weaknesses in database and operating system software that wasn't patched or securely configured and lax password management for database administrator accounts.

Cybersecurity

After the spending bill: What now?

What will happen to the new insourcing policies, proposed federal pay freeze and agency IT budgets, now that the Senate omnibus funding bill has been withdrawn?

Infrastructure

OMB to push for big changes in IT management

The federal government is doing a major rehab on how it oversees and manages the $70 billion in annual IT spending.

Digital Government

Debt commission aims at feds' pay, benefits

Draft cost-cutting proposals would hit feds in the pocket, in the pension and in the office.

Digital Government

Unions fire back at Gates for insourcing about-face

The American Federation of Government Employees wants answers from Defense Secretary Robert Gates on how his plans to save DOD money will affect insourcing efforts and federal employees.

Digital Government

Gates details plans to slash DOD budget

In his aggressive efforts to save money, Defense Secretary Gates is targeting a number of DOD offices and organizations, including one major command, IT infrastructure and several senior positions.

Digital Government

Senators concerned about counterfeit parts

Recent reports on counterfeit electronics and IT products show increases in the number of incidents and inadequate policies to deal with the problem.

Infrastructure

Industry retirees leave mainframe computers behind

Old mainframe computers stay at a company longer than the employees who know how to run them, according to a news report.

Digital Government

Intell chief denies charges of too many contractors

Reacting to a Washington Post series, the director of national intelligence said contractors are key but are not doing inherently governmental work.

Digital Government

FLITE cancellation: VA pulls plug on modernization effort

The Veterans Affairs Department is canceling its $400 million financial system modernization program and directing the resources to other projects throughout the department.

Digital Government

OMB puts brakes on financial systems modernization

The Obama administration announced today that it will overhaul the federal financial management system and prohibit agencies from placing task orders or contracts for modernization efforts.

Cybersecurity

Security-cleared job seekers have new social network

The Cleared Network gives people with security clearances a chance to take advantage of social networking's perks.

Digital Government

House Blue Dogs propose commission to kill programs

The commission would review each federal program to determine its merits.