DHS awards PACTS contract

The Homeland Security Department has awarded the $1.5 billion PACTS contract for professional services.

PASS ID bill backed by Napolitano

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano has backed proposed legislation that would repeal part of the Real ID Act.

Registered Traveler hit by closure of express lanes

The largest operator of Registered Traveler designated lanes at U.S. airports has unexpectedly ceased operations.

Transparency is here, but what is it?

Transparency in government is here to stay, although the concept still must be defined and clarified, said a panel of contracting experts at the Washington Technology Top 100 conference.

Contractor needed to upgrade Recovery.gov

The oversight board for economic stimulus spending is looking for a vendor to create Version 2.0 of the Recovery.gov Web site.

Virginia CIO ousted in contract dispute

The CIO of the Virginia Information Technologies Agency has been removed from his post in an apparent dispute with the newly installed Virginia Secretary of Technology.

Chopra calls RFP process ineffective for health IT

CTO Aneesh Chopra is seeking to improve innovation in government health IT by seeking new procurement channels to increase input from vendors, according to a research firm.

Deepwater can't shake DOJ's watchful eye

The Justice Department has declined to intervene to date but continues to examine allegations raised in the Deepwater False Claims Act lawsuit.

DHS scrutiny of services contracts draws flak

DHS' new mandatory reviews of professional service contracts: A good idea or too tough to do?

E-Verify, cybersecurity are big winners in DHS budget

A House subcommittee has approved a $42.6 billion spending bill for the Homeland Security Department that increases the amount allocated to cybersecurity efforts.

TSA bill requires competition

The TSA legislation that was approved by the House on June 4 would require competition for the first time on processing fingerprint biometric data for aviation workers.

DHS announces mandatory reviews of service contracts

As part of an efficiency initiative, DHS officials will perform an extra review on all professional service contracts over $1 million starting immediately.

E-Verify on hold again as administration reviews rule

The E-Verify rule for contractors will be postponed until September, according to TechAmerica.

DHS distributes port and mass transit grants

DHS announced $300 million in economic stimulus law funding is available for eligible port security and mass transit projects.

Aneesh Chopra moves a step closer to CTO position

Aneesh Chopra is one step closer to becoming the first federal chief technology officer after winning unanimous support from the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee.

Commerce readies contract for broadband grant support

The Commerce Department released a schedule showing that it is preparing to hire a contractor in June to help manage its huge broadband grant program.

GAO: Secure Flight screening program on course

The Secure Flight passenger screening program has improved IT security and privacy controls in the last five months, auditors say.

ACT and GITEC go separate ways

ACT ends affiliation with GITEC as part of a review of member councils.

Health IT alliance to spread stimulus gospel

Allscripts, Microsoft and Cisco are now members of an alliance meeting with doctors on the health IT economic stimulus law provisions.

Napolitano plans to spend millions for IT

Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano told a House committee today about DHS' plans to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in IT systems.