Not too hot, not too cold ?

A-76 competitions may be one of those issues that, if industry isn't happy with it and the unions aren't happy with it, maybe the process is just about right.One of industry's biggest complaints, laid out in Roseanne Gerin's cover story, is that the win rate is 91 percent in favor of the government workers. That's a pretty dominant statistic, and industry is complaining that it is unfair.But unions see the criticism as a potential threat to their job security, pensions and other benefits.I don't see the two sides ever agreeing.On the plus side, the Office of Management and Budget is claiming that, overall, the process is saving money for the government. As a taxpayer, I can agree with that.Also in this issue, Alice Lipowicz looks at the Homeland Security Department's Secure Border Initiative and examines the competitive and policy implications of the $2 billion project.The initiative raises a plethora of issues from immigration and privacy to contract management. Congress is sure to be watching this high-profile project.Opening our Federal section, Lipowicz examines the large number of vacancies at DHS, particularly among high-ranking positions such as cybersecurity chief and chief privacy officer. In some cases, DHS has one person holding two positions.The FOSE trade show was just getting under way as we sent this issue to press, so check us out online at www.washingtontechnology.com for full coverage, and look for a wrap-up in our next issue.