INFOTECH AND THE LAW

In one of my first columns for <i>Washington Technology</i>, I addressed whether contractors have any rights in technology developed under government contracts.

CAPITAL ROUNDUP

The practice of public-private competitions for information technology contracts does not account for best value to government customers, according to the Information Technology Association of America, Arlington, Va.

Defense CIO: Take Time to Do Outsourcing Right

The Defense Department's acting chief information officer warned that defense agencies might be moving too rapidly to outsource their information technology functions without having enough in-house experts to lead large projects.

Easing the 'Ow' in Outsourcing

Even now, 10 years later, Paul Cofoni remembers how it felt to be outsourced.

A LESSON IN Program Management

Electronic Data Systems Corp.'s now-famous cat-herding commercial, featuring real cowboys rounding up thousands of cats, was intended to illustrate that the company is capable of managing the seemingly unmanageable.

FBI Mulls Outsourcing

The FBI is considering outsourcing its desktop computers and services in a setup similar to the Navy-Marine Corps Intranet contract, said Mark Tanner, FBI information resources manager.

Fed Telecom On Brink of New Growth

Companies that serve the federal telecommunications market are eyeing opportunities to provide new outsourcing services to agencies, now that the transition to FTS2001 vendors is almost complete.

Seat Management Still Needs a Kick in the Pants

Even as the massive Navy-Marine Corps Intranet program steams ahead, government agencies remain reluctant to launch seat management initiatives.

Desperately Seeking Partners

The barrage of phone calls and e-mails started last October, immediately after Electronic Data Systems Corp. was announced the winner of the $6.9 billion Navy-Marine Corps Intranet contract.

ACS Wins Tennessee Work

ACS Inc. and Magellan Behavioral Health Services Inc. have agreed that Magellan will outsource its administrative claims processing functions to ACS for the state of Tennessee.

Outsourcing Policy Heats Up on the Hill

A battle is looming among lawmakers over whether the federal government should outsource more of its tasks and responsibilities to the private sector. Rep. Tom Davis, R-Va., chairman of the House Government Reform subcommittee on technology and procurement policy, intends to hold hearings on the 1998 act mandating private sector outsourcing.

Systems Integrators Move Onto Telecom Turf

Many federal agencies are looking to get their telecommunications and systems integration services from the same company, a rapid and growing trend that could dramatically change the telecommunications market.

Provant Gets $170 Million Training Deal

Provant Inc. won a five-year, $170 million contract from the Department of Treasury to provide training services aimed at enhancing work force productivity and effectiveness.

From Past to Present: Performance Reports Now Available

Private-sector contractors doing business with the Department of Defense can now access their past performance report cards through the department's Past Performance Automated Information System.

Beyond.com, PlanetGov Get $15M IRS Contract Renewal

Beyond.com and PlanetGov Inc. have been awarded a $15 million renewal of their contract with the Internal Revenue Service for electronic delivery and maintenance of Microsoft software to approximately 130,000 desktop computers within the IRS.

GAO: INS Needs Stronger IT Investment Management

The Immigration and Naturalization Service needs to better manage its investment in IT to maximize its return on hundreds of millions of dollars in purchases, operations and maintenance of new and existing information systems, according to a new report by the General Accounting Office.

Streampipe Gets OK for Services to Federal Government

Streampipe.com has become the first streaming media provider approved to furnish services to the government under the General Services Administration Federal Supply Schedule, the company announced.