VA vendors warned to meet certification requirements

The Veterans Affairs Department recently sent out a warning letter to vendors who handle personal information for the department that they need to strengthen compliance with data security rules.

VA hires IT client advocates

VA CIO Roger Baker said he has hired three advocates as liaisons between the IT office and VA divisions.

SBInet contract reportedly renewed for 30 days

Boeing's contract to work on the Homeland Security Department's SBInet electronic surveillance system at the Arizona-Mexico border is getting another 30 days, according to a published report.

8 vital White House Twitter feeds

The White House has eight official Twitter accounts, ranging from 3,900 to 1.9 million followers.

State health insurance exchanges to create $595M market by 2015

Input market research firm predicts that state health insurance exchanges will be a driving force in the health IT market.

CMS helping states hire Medicaid audit contractors

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is publishing a proposed rule to help states hire auditors in the Medicaid program.

Gary Bass to leave OMB Watch

He founded the group 28 years ago.

IT innovation might be at risk under new Congress, former Rep. Davis warns

Former Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.) predicts that the new House GOP majority will be zealous in scrutinizing agency IT innovations for possible cuts.

DCAA defends tighter scope on audits

The Defense Contract Audit Agency says that raising the bar for audits will save money for the Pentagon and help it target higher-risk projects.

Lockheed finishes census contract on time and under budget

Lockheed Martin Corp. announced that it had completed the 2010 census technology contract on schedule and under budget.

DOD auditors raise the limit on what they'll examine

The Project on Government Oversight released a government memo indicating that the Pentagon has "radically" reduced the scope of cost reviews to be performed by DCAA.

CDC publishes social media toolkit online

Officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention share the lessons they have learned by using Facebook, Twitter, podcasts, blogs and other social media.

Rapper wakes up Gov 2.0 crowd at FedTalks event

D.C.-based CIOs now can claim their own original rap lyrics thanks to comedian GoRemy.

VA's Baker kids about new location of NHIN project

Roger Baker of the Veterans Affairs Department knows how to keep reporters on their toes.

Contracting opportunities slow as economy struggles

Many of the largest federal contracts to be competed in fiscal 2011 are recompetes, according to market research firms FedSources and Input.

This just in from the 'Department of Redundancy Reduction Department'

GSA's Gwynne Kostin offered a humorous take on efforts to improve federal workforce productivity during the FedScoop FedTalks 2010 conference.

Consolidate IT infrastructure, save $1 trillion, CEOs say

The Technology CEO Council claims the federal government can save $1 trillion in 10 years by streamlining supply chains, consolidating data centers, automating paper processes and applying anti-fraud analytic tools.

Supreme Court case sheds light on security clearance challenges

The Supreme Court case involving security checks on federal contractors at a NASA facility brought up details on how many contractors have been denied a federal credential as a result of answers they gave during background checks.

DHS drafts certification program for small business preparedness

The Homeland Security Department is circulating a draft proposal to set up a voluntary certification program so that small businesses can demonstrate their preparedness by meeting national standards.

Health care agency to spend $473M on IT projects

A DHS agency will spend $473 million for comparative effectiveness research on allowing patients to compare treatments.