Defense

Web-based military health records system called bureaucratic, not technical, challenge

Commercial vendors say similar systems already are in place in the private sector.

Defense

Coalition stands firm in support of national ID law

The Homeland Security Department estimated earlier this year that it will cost states as much as $23 billion to implement the law.

Oversight

GSA lets 29 firms in on massive tech services contract

Winners aren’t guaranteed work; agencies can still shop around among the awardees or look outside the list of pre-selected vendors.

Oversight

VA could save billions using e-commerce technique, officials say

"Expressive commerce” system already generating savings for large private firms, senators told.

Tech

Government job listings may not reach wide enough

Openings posted on centralized government job search site are not typically searchable through popular engines like Google.

Tech

Senator pans federal contract for traffic information site

Contract has allowed one company a long-term monopoly over data collection, Utah Republican claims.

Oversight

Lawmaker presses OSC chief to hand over e-mails

Rep. Tom Davis, R-Va., wants more information on any work-related messages Special Counsel Scott Bloch sent via a personal account.

Tech

Mobility of federal workers hinders data security

Recent Office of Management and Budget directive will require encryption of all sensitive data, whether it is being used or is at rest.

Oversight

Ousted hurricane center chief defends request for new satellite

Head of NOAA says Bill Proenza was reassigned because he wasn’t showing good leadership.

Defense

Surveillance tower raises suspicion in border town

Some in Arivaca, Ariz., are convinced the Homeland Security Department equipment is there to watch them, rather than the border.

Tech

Privacy officials discuss government data breaches

Challenge of protecting data is changing as the federal workforce becomes more mobile with laptop computers and BlackBerry handheld devices, officials say.

Defense

Pentagon urged not to use ability to degrade GPS signals

It last happened in 1990; Bush administration has promised “uninterrupted access” to civilian GPS signals.

Oversight

Veterans Affairs chief resigns

James Nicholson, 69, says he wants to return to the private sector.

Tech

Science, tech advocates eye increased federal resources

House and Senate appropriators are supporting substantial funding boosts to National Science Foundation education programs.

Defense

What's Brewin': Inside the world of defense information technology

Army headquarters just loves iTunes.

Defense

Pentagon still burdened with multiple back-office systems

Army official says service has 187 different financial management information systems.

Oversight

Administration’s financial management chief to retire

Linda Combs helped update inventory of excess property, guided agencies in reducing payment errors.

Defense

Spread of RFID in Defense slower than expected

Full-scale implementation of requirement to use passive RFID systems to track supplies has been delayed.

Oversight

Senator criticizes GSA plans to cut office supply program

A group of lawmakers, led by Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., says the move would hurt small companies and hamper disaster recovery efforts.

Oversight

Employee tried to mask extent of latest VA data breach

“Panicked” IT specialist lied to investigators looking into the loss of a hard drive with personal data on about 1.5 million people, IG says.