Tech
Playing Defense
Air Force rethinks its space defense options; thoughts of President Harry Truman still resonate.
Tech
Millions in NOAA funds would cover tech, research projects
Largest increases in House bill would go to oceans and climate research, with $6 million reserved for a specific climate-change study.
Tech
Lawmakers want tech updates at State Department
Total money available for IT modernization at the agency in fiscal 2008 could be about $304 million.
Tech
New rules for patent reviews get mixed reception
Changes are aimed at making the examination process more efficient; Patent and Trademark Office has a backlog of more than a million pending applications.
Tech
Appropriations bills eye tech improvements at VA
Measures would provide about $1.9 billion for VA technology systems, with funding largely targeted toward electronic medical records.
Tech
Chambers split over use of drones on the border
Senate boosts resources for buying and deploying unmanned aerial vehicles; House wants assurance drones are more effective than other options.
Defense
DHS aims to spur innovation in radiation detection
Office is asking universities to work on finding shielded material, detecting material at greater distances, miniaturizing detectors and improving analysis.
Defense
An eye toward a future with electronic passports
Chips could become fast and reliable enough to allow the electronic issuance of visas in five years.
Tech
What’s Brewin’: Clear as Mud
The Pentagon spends hundreds of billions of dollars on contracts, but it’s getting harder and harder to tell exactly how that money is spent.
Defense
Appropriators question funding for emergency wireless project
Senators express concern about "lagging progress, as well as the recurring costs of the conversion" to narrowband operations.
Tech
HHS secretary pushes new health IT advisory panel
Standards for health technology should be developed outside the political process, Mike Leavitt says.
Tech
Air Force plans huge follow-on contract for intelligence IT
Agreement will be worth more than $1 billion, but accelerated schedule and large scope prompt concerns about manageability.
Tech
Interior spending bill generous to tech programs
Environmental Protection Agency would be the biggest benefactor; it is slated to receive more than $770 million for science and technology efforts.
Tech
Proposal to privatize health IT advisory body spurs debate
Labor and consumer advocacy groups say proposed spin-off would lack accountability and transparency.
Tech
What’s Brewin’: Organizational Chaos?
An entity aimed at fighting improvised explosive devices might be too big for its own good.
Oversight
Research firm lowers expectations for GSA tech services contract
Report says spending through Alliant vehicle may be only $7.5 billion, well short of its $50 billion ceiling.
Tech
Energy agency to focus on cutting-edge research
Agency would be charged with investigating "high risk, high reward" energy technology.
Tech
Homeland Security chief vows to move forward with ID law
Michael Chertoff acknowledges that states will find it challenging to implement requirements, especially absent more federal funding.
Tech
EPA cites area where agencies can take lead on energy efficiency
Government should be a model in measuring, reporting on the efficiency of centers housing computer equipment, report says.
Oversight