Defense, homeland security industries rack up lobbying dollars
Defense firms spent $277 million to lobby the federal government from 1998 through June 2004, including $44 million in 2003 alone.
Davis questions involvement in CISO Exchange
House Government Reform Chairman Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.) is re-evaluating his involvement in the CISO Exchange because of concerns over fees to be charged to industry participants and about the group's structure.
Classified documents on the rise
The federal government classified a record 15.6 million documents in 2004, a 10 percent increase from the year before, according to a new report.
Deja vu all over again
Homeland Security Department Chief Information Officer Steve Cooper's announcement last month that his agency is collaborating with the Justice Department on a national data-sharing model may have had a familiar ring.
Infotech and the law: More grist for the bid protest mill
As a lawyer who has brought bid protests on behalf of protesters and defended them on behalf of awardees, I am always of two minds whenever I learn of something that may generate more bid protest litigation. That was my reaction to recent press reports about the General Services Administration's new plan to hire as many as 100 outside contract employees for acquisition and contract administration services ? work that federal employees normally would perform.
Taking Exception: Read the contract, not the label
As attorneys representing American Systems Consulting Inc., or ASCI, we have a different view regarding GAO's decision in our client's contract protest. GAO's decision affirmed a simple holding: Agencies can use the simplified ordering procedures for GSA schedules, but only for those services listed.
Buy Lines: Broad definition of commercial items hurts government, industry
Ten years ago, Congress changed the acquisition systems to make it a priority to buy commercial-off-the-shelf items.
Ready and cable
With the telecommunications industry rapidly consolidating, cable television companies are starting to see opportunities to grab business in the federal market.
New push for Safety Act fixes
Contractors supplying new technologies to the Homeland Security Department are renewing their push to ease what they feel is an arduous application process for the department's Safety Act liability protections, and to strengthen the protections for trade secrets they disclose in their applications.
Most of EU will miss biometric passport deadline
Only six European Commission countries that currently enjoy visa-free travel to the United States are expected to meet an Oct. 26 deadline for initiating biometric passports.
Senate keeps eye on GSA effort to fix schedule
Sen. Susan Collins has vowed to keep a close eye on the General Services Administration as it works to resolve the long-standing problems in Federal Supply Service contract practices revealed by the Government Accountability Office.
Buy Lines: On ethics: vigilance ? and balance
At the sentencing of former Boeing Co. executive Mike Sears, who pled guilty for his role in the Darleen Druyun case, U.S. Attorney Paul McNulty announced the formation of a new procurement-fraud task force. This is just the latest example of how ethics in government contracting has drawn the spotlight as never before.
Feds want compatible smart cards: Biometrics vendors resist giving up unique features
The prospect of people carrying many different biometric identification smart cards, each recognized by a single workplace or venue, doesn't seem so smart.<p> That's why the federal government is nudging ? some say pushing ? the biometrics industry toward greater interoperability, to make the cards scannable by multiple systems.
House panel investigates ANCs: Federal unions also question unique status of Alaska Native corporations
The House Government Reform Committee is investigating whether the special regulations giving Alaska Native corporations an edge in federal contracting are benefiting the government or Alaska natives.
Infotech and the Law: Share-in-savings IT contracting: It's not happening
Two years ago, Congress gave a new IT contracting vehicle a boost by including it in the E-Government Act of 2002. Share-in-savings contracts were supposed to revolutionize government IT procurements by unleashing contractor creativity and entrepreneurial spirit.
Consolidating the homeland: Bush's budget request pushes DHS integration efforts
The Bush administration's dramatic boost in IT spending at the Homeland Security department may be a signal that the sprawling, two-year-old department is ready to consolidate some of its major programs and systems.
Iraq war spending bill includes funds for new technologies
The bill allocates money for high-tech hardware for the troops as well as homeland security programs, and provisions to regulate government-issued ID cards.
GSA expects draft reorg plan in May
By the end of May, the General Services Administration will have the first draft of its plan to merge the Federal Supply Service and Federal Technology Service, a GSA official told House lawmakers today.
DHS small-business efforts surpass goals, agency says
The Department of Homeland Security says it awarded 27 percent of its prime contracts to small businesses in 2004.
Biden chides Bush not doing enough on rail security
In the year since terrorists bombed commuter trains in Madrid, the Bush administration "has done next to nothing to protect passenger rails," Sen. Joseph Biden says.
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