Bond signs off on GSA reorg

The General Services Administration's reorganization won some much-needed support when a key member of the Senate Appropriations Committee said he was satisfied with the agency's plan.

RFID: Prepare to be carded

The recent extension of radio frequency identification testing at border crossings appears to have boosted the technology. But difficult decisions still lay ahead for the Homeland Security Department in integrating RFID applications and standards into a single document.

Doubts don't hinder e-passport debut

Even amid the continued doubts of experts, and with only one approved technology vendor, the State Department is pressing forward with its electronic passport program.

Five picked for OMB initiatives

Five vendors have been tapped by the General Services Administration to support the Office of Management and Budget's lines of business consolidation initiatives.

Buy Lines: Plan today for 2010. It's worth the effort

If your company's technology can make a difference in the effectiveness of a program or a major system, your government customer needs to know about it long before you hope to make a sale.

Inside Track: New federal projects

The Agriculture Department is looking for commercial vulnerability assessment scanning tools. The application must be able to scan a large number of IP addresses and a wide variety of operating systems and applications.

Commercial satellites fly for DOD

Realizing that the next wave of government satellites will take years to develop and launch ? and even when they are launched, demand may exceed their capabilities ? the military now is reaffirming its need for commercial satellites.

Infotech and the Law: States grow more inflexible on contract terms

Imagine you're applying for a job, and it looks like a match made in heaven. The employer needs someone with exactly your skills and experience, and you like the stature, salary and challenge of the position. But there's a catch.

Infotech and the Law: States grow more inflexible on contract terms

Imagine you're applying for a job, and it looks like a match made in heaven. The employer needs someone with exactly your skills and experience, and you like the stature, salary and challenge of the position. But there's a catch.

Vacancies raise questions, lower morale at DHS

Vacancies and personnel turnover have reached such high levels at the Homeland Security Department that they may be hampering the agency's effectiveness, according to several industry and policy experts.

Democrats give DHS poor grades for performance

The Homeland Security Department earns D's for emergency preparedness, critical infrastructure protection, redress for errors on the terrorist watch list and overall procurement and contracting, according to Democrats on the House Homeland Security Committee.

GSA briefs Congress on reorganization effort

Acting administrator David Bibb submitted the reorganization plan to the House and Senate appropriations committees Monday at their request to review the FAS merger.

Rep. Thompson: Top-level DHS execs too stretched

The Homeland Security Department's recent appointment of Jeff Runge as acting undersecretary of science and technology?in addition to his job as chief medical officer?raises concern on Capitol Hill that departmental staff may be spread too thin.

COUNTERPOINT: Commercial buying practices not in danger

The "Buy Lines" column in the Jan. 30 issue ("For 2006, troubling signs on the horizon") about the Acquisition Advisory Panel raised false alarms that are not supported by the panel's work or any law.

Small Business in brief

Qualified small technology companies should expect to see more than $20 billion in set-asides in 2006, according to market research firm, Reston, Va

Diversity, as defined by Booz Allen Hamilton

"What do you do?" is just about the worst question to ask Lynn Livengood, especially if you meet her at a small-business fair where she scouts potential partners.

BUY LINES: Abdication not a sound management strategy

I wrote in this column recently of the concerns that many in the private sector have about proposals being considered by the congressionally mandated Acquisition Advisory Panel. Industry has made its concerns clear and has engaged in a robust, open dialogue with the panel about them.

Practice, practice, practice

Lessons from Katrina focus on planning and preparation

Homeland Watch in brief

Former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft has picked up several IT companies as clients since he opened his lobbying firm, the Ashcroft Group, last year.

INFOTECH AND THE LAW: Don't let a bad shareholder undermine the company

A major challenge to business success can be the business owners.