Interactive tech manuals

	The Navy is developing requirements for converting technical manuals from electronic format to an interactive structure for people who use and maintain equipment aboard ships. The conversion will involve about 41,000 pages of text, tables, schematics, drawings, figures, fault isolation procedures and cable running sheets. Responses are due May 9. For more information, visit FedBizOpps.gov, solicitation no. N0016403R8W03.

Satellite communications systems

	The Air Force Air Combat Command wants a small business contractor to provide around-the-clock maintenance and administration for all communication equipment at the Defense Satellite Communications System facility. Details are available at FedBizOpps.gov, solicitation no. F455CONS030001. Responses to a request for information are due May 1.

Coalition attacks fed market

Dominic DeAngelo joined to give his company, Sonic Telecom Ltd., an entrée into the federal IT marketplace. Walter Hillabrant joined so his company, Support Services International Inc., would have more opportunities to win federal work.

Doing Business With the Defense Commissary Agency

<b>Address</b>Defense Commissary Agency<br>ATTN: SSP<br>1300 E Ave.<br>Fort Lee, VA 23801-1800<br>(804) 734-8253<br><a href= "http://www.commissaries.com">www.commissaries.com</a><b>Founded:</b> 1991<b>Director:</b> Air Force Maj. Gen. Michael Wiedemer<b>Employees:</b> About 18,000

Bill would nix privatizing air traffic control

A bipartisan group of lawmakers has introduced legislation that would prohibit the privatization or contracting out of the federal air traffic control system.The Air Traffic Control System Integrity Act of 2003, H.R. 1711, was introduced April 10 by four senior members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

Governors call for consistent approach to homeland security funding

In response to criticism from some members of Congress that states aren't spending first-responder funds in a timely fashion, the nation's governors are calling for reforms to the funding process.

Doing Business With Army Corps of Engineers

<b>Address</b>Army Corps of Engineers441 G St. NWWashington, DC 20314(202) 761-0008<a href= "http://www.usace.army.mil">www.usace.army.mil</a><b>Founded:</b> 1775<b>Commander:</b> Lt. Gen. Robert Flowers<b>Employees:</b> 34,600 civilian, 650 military

Senators want program funding

Fourteen senators asked Appropriations Committee leaders to help restore funding for the Small Business Innovation Research program, which provides research and development funds to small businesses. Funding for the program was cut in the omnibus appropriations bill.

Bush asks for $74.7B

&#009;President Bush asked Congress to approve $74.7 billion in supplemental appropriations for fiscal 2003 to fund the war with Iraq, international assistance and Iraqi relief and reconstruction, homeland security and the legislative branch.

Cybersecurity leaders named

Rep. Mac Thornberry, R-Texas, was named chairman of the new House Homeland Security subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Science and Research and Development. Rep Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., was named ranking minority member.

Pentagon to spend $4 billion on UAVs

The Defense Department plans to spend up to $4 billion on unmanned aerial vehicles over the next seven years, according to a just-released Pentagon blueprint detailing the future of military UAVs.

Robbins-Gioia launches new service

After the Customs Service selected IBM Corp. in 2001 as the prime contractor for a $1.3 billion effort to modernize its trade system, the agency hired Robbins-Gioia LLC to provide independent program management overseeing IBM's work.

Infotech and the law: The art of writing reverse FOIA letters

Under the Freedom of Information Act, companies may request copies of contracts from the government, including a contractor's proposal.

War sparks satellite service demand

Providers of commercial satellite capacity and satellite services are seeing a surge in business because of the war in Iraq.

Brief: VLF, radio, transmitter facilities

There is an opportunity to provide operations and maintenance of the naval radio and transmitter facilities located in Clam Lake, Wis., and Republic, Mich. The contractor will be responsible for all equipment and facilities 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Brief: Independent analysis

The Army's Aviation and Missile Command will release a request for proposals around the third week of April for independent integration analysis to support the Army's Lower Tier Project Office missile systems, including the Patriot, Patriot Advanced Capabilities and Medium Extended Air Defense System.

Brief: Space antenna engineering

NASA has released a request for information to support planning for a systems engineering and integration contract for the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna mission, a project with the European Space Agency. More information can be found at http://lisa.gsfc.nasa.gov/Business/Business.html . Responses are due April 10.

Issa: U.S. companies should come first in Iraq rebuilding

Rep. Darrell Issa has introduced legislation that would mandate that the Army use American-based cell phone technology when building out a cellular phone infrastructure for Iraq.

Bush officials try to reassure industry on cybersecurity

Administration officials sought to reassure information technology industry executives that the federal government has not lost its focus on cybersecurity during a Capitol Hill forum today.

Revamped A-76 due before summer

At a Capitol Hill hearing, defense of the adminstration's competitive sourcing policies.