Executives reassess how to grow during tough times

Among the budget delays and economic worries, government contractors are still finding opportunities for growth. But they also are focused on controlling costs and investing in infrastructure.

2012 IT spending poised to survive aggressive cuts

An IT budget expert says IT spending will weather the budget crisis, but the debate on the 2011 budget will set the tone for 2012.

The month that was

A roundup of the top contracting news and events of the last 30 days.

IT funding could be last budget survivor, study predicts

The opportunities in federal IT remain viable as IT funding passes through the heavy cuts to agency operations.

Government shutdown temporarily averted

Congress has approved a continuing resolution to fund the government until March 18, temporarily staving off fears of employee furloughs resulting from a government shutdown this Friday.

Services, IT support cut to save millions in Coast Guard's 2012 budget

The Coast Guard is looking for savings from contractors and reduced IT support to shift resources to its operations.

What happens (and what doesn't) if the government shuts down?

Tell us what your agency won't be doing if the government shuts down.

The golden opportunity of deep budget cuts

The IT infrastructure cuts at some agencies create the chance to rethink the contractor-customer relationship, writes Editor Nick Wakeman.

OMB puts $2B in IT spending on the chopping block

Federal CIO Vivek Kundra said described how the government is going to cut $2 billion worth of IT programs. Are your customers' projects on the chopping block?

How tight can your belt get?

We ask whether our readers have a sense yet for how much they'll have to cut expenses in fiscal 2012.

President’s budget not too popular

A Web poll indicates readers don't approve of the direction the Obama administration's proposed fiscal 2012 budget would take the country.

Modernization, IT efforts get spotlight in Army budget

Army's proposed budget emphasizes force maintenance and modernization.

Obama pushes for commodity IT purchasing

Obama wants to reform IT management by leveraging the sheer size of the government as a buyer to get better prices for common IT.

2012 budget feeds tougher competition

The Obama administration's fiscal 2012 budget proposal trims $1.1 trillion over 10 years, creating a tougher competitive environment for contractors, but many of the details are still lacking.

IT gets a bump up in 2012 proposal

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

Joint Forces commander details plans for closure

Contractor jobs, as well as military and civilian government roles, will be cut as a new, leaner organization focuses on training and education, Army Gen. Ray Odierno, commander of Joint Forces Command, says.

Cuts dominate 2012 budget expectations

A Washington Technology web poll showed that readers were most concerned about budget cuts in the fiscal 2012 budget submission.

Shared keyboards, chairpooling and other budget-cutting proposals

FCW cartoonist John Klossner suggests some unorthodox ways to trim costs from government operations.

Professional, service contracts will come up short in 2012 budget

The 2012 budget is expected to be lean, and details of some of the proposed cuts are beginning to emerge.

Tech leaders advance $1 trillion productivity agenda

The federal government can save $1 trillion through 2020 by consolidating infrastructure, combining supply chains and reducing energy consumption among other moves.