Bill aims to improve communication between first responders

Several senators are co-sponsoring legislation to authorize $3.9 billion for a national architecture to enable wireless communication among first-responder agencies.

Buy Lines: Why vendors need channel sales

It doesn't matter how cool the technology may sound if government executives can't see how it relates to what's on their plate.

Lieberman decries duplicative anti-nuke efforts at DHS

Creating a new Domestic Nuclear Detection Office that reports to the Homeland Security secretary is a "stovepiped" strategy that is likely to undermine DHS' existing scientific research, according to Sen. Joseph Lieberman (D-Conn.).

Private eyes, public gains

Sitting at a sidewalk cafe in London recently, Alan Lipton, chief technology officer of ObjectVideo Inc. in Reston, Va., noticed an outdoor video camera pointed in his direction. But Lipton felt no anxiety about prying eyes.

Buy Lines: Reasonable concerns could lead to unreasonable solutions

In 2001, Congress directed the Defense Department to create processes to better oversee its services acquisitions. A year later, Congress changed the rules under which DOD can access and use General Services Administration schedules and multiple-award contracts.

Inside Track

The National Institute of Standards and Technology wants production tracking and management software for its printing and duplicating department.

Infotech and the Law: New data regulations guard against more than identity theft

Identity theft, as a subset of a wide-ranging debate on electronic data privacy and security, is a hot topic after recent admissions by banks, credit data aggregators and retail chains that they unintentionally had disclosed large numbers of personal financial records.

Capital roundup

Asa Hutchinson, the Homeland Security Department's first undersecretary for border and transportation security, is a strong advocate of the proposed new $826 million Office of Screening Coordination and Operations at DHS.

Capital roundup

Asa Hutchinson, the Homeland Security Department's first undersecretary for border and transportation security, is a strong advocate of the proposed new $826 million Office of Screening Coordination and Operations at DHS.

Titan buy makes L-3 an IT giant

When L-3 Communications Inc. completes its planned $2.65 billion acquisition of Titan Corp. later this year, the high-tech products company will position itself as a significant contender for federal IT contracts, especially those requiring security clearances.

Raytheon VP Grimes on deck for Defense CIO post

If confirmed, John G. Grimes, vice president of Raytheon Intelligence and Information Systems, will replace Linton Wells.

Senate DHS bill moves forward

A Senate Appropriations subcommittee has approved a $30.8 billion budget for the Homeland Security Department for fiscal 2006?a cut of 3.5 percent from the $31.9 billion departmental budget passed by the House last month.

House panel: FBI 'scrambling' to launch VCF project

A House Appropriations Committee report says the FBI is hastening to prepare its latest attempt at a case file system and is cutting corners to do.

U.S. attorney vows crackdown on government contract fraud

The head of a new anti-fraud task force is promising to crack down hard on illegal contracting practices and procurement fraud in government contracting.

Too easy to identify

The nation's new electronic passports may be more vulnerable to privacy breaches than government officials originally claimed.

Infotech and the law: Contractors worry about UID requirements added costs

The Defense Department released April 22 its long-awaited Unique Item Identification and Valuation final rule.

Slimming from 170 to one

The Homeland Security Department will consolidate more than 20 portals and 150 Web sites into one enterprise portal serving the entire agency ? just as soon as commercial software catches up with its needs.

GSA releases draft reorganization plan

The General Services Administration's plan calls for combining the Federal Technology and Federal Supply services, as well as merging the IT and General Supply funds. But one congressman expressed concern about the new framework.

Cox tapped for SEC post

President Bush today picked House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Christopher Cox (R-Calif.) as the next leader of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

House approves additional funding for SAFETY Act

The House of Representatives authorized $10.6 million to speed up corporate applications under the Support Anti-Terrorism by Fostering Effective Technologies Act.