Congressman calls for synergy between security technology, productivity

The chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee has called on technology vendors to develop products that would assist both safety and productivity.

Rep. Davis says more security measures needed for contractors

The chairman of the House Government Reform Committee wants additional measures to supplement and strengthen existing security policies for contractor-provided IT systems.

House approves GSA reorg

The House of Representatives today unanimously approved the General Services Administration Modernization Act, which will combine the Federal Supply Service and the Federal Technology Service into a single organization.

Capital Roundup

Secretary Michael Chertoff's comprehensive review of the Homeland Security Department is wrapping up in several weeks, and there is talk that at least one major policy idea -- creation of an undersecretary for policy -- may be gaining traction.

BearingPoint feels the heat

Delays in two high-profile Homeland Security Department programs have prime contractor BearingPoint Inc. facing criticism from government and congressional officials.

Inside track

The U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command in Picatinny Arsenal, N.J., is looking for a system that can tag people who move or disturb material without authorization. The system should mark individuals in a way undetectable to casual inspection but observable through enhanced vision technology, ultraviolet light and other detection gear.

Inside track

The U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command in Picatinny Arsenal, N.J., is looking for a system that can tag people who move or disturb material without authorization. The system should mark individuals in a way undetectable to casual inspection but observable through enhanced vision technology, ultraviolet light and other detection gear.

Behind the curve

As the intelligence community undergoes a period of transformation, contractors can help intel agencies promote information sharing capabilities and bring new technologies to bear on national security issues.

Buylines: On Acquisition Training: An Important Next Step

Over the last decade, we have seen a gradual elevation of the acquisition profession's stature in civilian agencies. The latest development is an important new policy memo from Federal Procurement Policy Administrator David Safavian that, among other things, directs the establishment of education and certification requirements for civilian agency acquisition professionals. Safavian's initiative is probably the most significant and challenging step yet taken in this process.

Infotech and the Law: Understanding contracts: It's not as hard as you think

Contracts are essential in business. But most people in business see contracts as documents containing language and terms that only a lawyer can interpret.

ITAA attacks 'Buy American' provision

IT industry representatives are urging the Senate to reject a provision approved by the House requiring the Homeland Security Department to use primarily U.S.-made components in all products it buys.

House passes DHS authorization bill

The House has approved $34.2 billion for the Homeland Security Department and its programs, paving the way for fuller congressional oversight of the department.

House committee trims $253 million from DOD IT budget

The Armed Services Committee stuck to the recommendations of a subcommittee and approved the reduction in the Defense Department's $30 billion fiscal 2006 IT budget request.

Industry executives ask for new notification law

An industry group wants Congress to pass legislation requiring companies to notify consumers about the loss or theft of personal data.

House passes $31.9 billion budget for DHS

The House of Representatives has approved a $31.9 billion budget for the Homeland Security Department in fiscal 2006, and is preparing to pass the first legislation to authorize the department since it was created in 2002.

House passes risk-based security grants

The House passed legislation Thursday to redistribute $2 billion in first-responder grants in 2006 so that more funding goes to high-risk and border states such as New York and California, and less to states at low-risk of terrorist attacks.

Waiver power in supplemental bill draws fire

Advocates for open government and the environment are sounding alarms about a sweeping provision in the Iraq war supplemental bill, granting the Secretary of Homeland Security virtually unlimited authority to waive laws related to border construction.

Small biz gets big seat at Alliant table

At $15 billion, the General Services Administration's Alliant Small Business contract is the biggest vehicle ever developed just for small businesses.

$50 million deal extends RSIS reach into government

RS Information Systems Inc. has captured one of the first information services jobs for a young federal tax agency, winning a contract valued at nearly $50 million to provide technology support services to the Treasury Department's Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau.