EXECUTIVE MEMO
www.govexec.com
What's new on our World Wide Web site and in the federal online world.
The First Computer
ifty years ago the world's first electronic digital computer, ENIAC, moved from its birthplace at the University of Pennsylvania to Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., where it churned out huge computations until 1955.
ENIAC was no laptop. Its 30 units, power supply and cooling equipment weighed over 30 tons and consumed almost 200 kilowatts of power.
A recent Army ceremony at Aberdeen brought together 33 of the pioneers who created ENIAC. Parts of the team went on to help expand the Defense Department's ARPANET, which developed into the Internet.
I-9 On-line
he Immigration and naturalization Service has taken one small step in cyberspace, but one potentially large leap in customer service.
INS has placed its I-9 form online for users to download at www.usdoj.gov/ins. That may not sound like much, but since the I-9 form is actually one of government's most oft-used forms, it could make life easier for thousands of businesses. Employers must fill out an I-9 for each new worker, to verify that the employee is eligible to work in the United States.
According to Bill McElhaney, chief of the Office Systems Section at INS, the I-9 is the first of several INS forms to be posted on the Net.
Virtual Policy
rather refreshing statement greets visitors to the new policyworks.gov site, sponsored by the General Services Administration: "Welcome to the government's virtual meeting place for management policy and guidance. This site promotes electronic government, open communication, collaboration, and common sense."
Policyworks.gov brings together information on public management issues such as information technology, travel regulations, and procurement rules on one easy-to-use site. The site includes keyword search engines, chat rooms, mailing list sign-up services, and online documents.
Talkin' Procurement
o your office mates doze off when you start talking about source selection or performance-based contracting?
If the analog world is not meeting your need for useful conversations about procurement, it's time to get digital, and head to the National Performance Review-led Acquistion Reform Net, or ARNet (www.arnet.gov). There, in the Electronic Forum discussion area, procurement specialists and officials gather from throughout cyberspace to talk about everything from government purchase cards to funding IDIQ contracts to the overall goals of public procurement.
"It's just sort of like being at work and hearing someone talking about something you're interested in," says one user. "Your ears perk up and you get involved in the discussion."
Comments are now being solicited to proposed changes to the Federal Acquisition Regulation. Steven Kelman, director of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy, which sponsors ARNet, says the discussion is the first he knows of in which people can make unmediated comments electronically on a proposed rule.
The site has four sections in addition to the Electronic Forum:
- The Reference Corner has links to procurement regulations, executive orders and other documents.
- Business Opportunities is a list of links to other procurement sites.
- Acquisition Best Practices is a database of procurement reform success stories.
- Acquisition Training links to the Federal Acquisition Institute, providing curriculum materials for procurement professionals.
NPR recently found a sponsor for ARNet, after it resided on a Lawrence Livermore server for a year. Last July, the General Services Administration took over ARNet, committing to provide hardware and full-time staff for the site. A team of development and technical experts from NPR, GSA, the Federal Acquisition Institute and the National Academy of Public Administration now assist in maintaining ARNet.
What's New@govexec.com
The Reinvention Wall. Read stories from the front lines of the movement to reinvent government on the "town hall wall" in our Reinvention Center.
Thrift Plan guide. During and after open season, our newly upgraded Thrift Savings Plan area in the Careers section will give you all the information you need.
News When You Need It. Want the latest news on RIFs, retirement changes, congressional actions and management reforms? Check our Daily Fed section every day for the latest updates.
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