Government stays connected in aftermath of 2010 blizzard

Snow or no snow, government's work continues even for those who can't get into the office.

IBM buys master data management business

IBM Corp. is strengthening its health care portfolio with its purchase of Chicago-based Initiate Systems.

HHS budget highlights IT initiatives

The Health and Human Services Department's proposed $81 billion discretionary budget for fiscal 2011 includes a few nuggets of increased IT spending.

VA freezes IT budget for 2011

The Veterans Affairs Department is looking at a flat level of $3.3 billion for information technology in fiscal 2011, but managed some increases for benefits automation and telemedicine.

Budget request highlights push for efficiency

The White House's $79 billion IT budget includes plans for centralizing IT services, consolidating data centers and more cloud computing.

Obama wants nearly $80B for IT projects

The administration has proposed only a small increase for IT spending in fiscal 2011.

IBM's health exchange pilot generates extra $2M for users, study says

A health data exchange between MedVirginia and the Social Security Administration is generating extra revenue, a new report says.

Defense contractors go offshore to skip taxes, GAO says

Defense contractors expanded their use of offshore facilities from 2003 to 2008 mostly to avoid paying payroll taxes, GAO said in a new report.

IG and agency battle over contract rules

The fight is over whether a $106 million CDC contract is for 'personal services.'

Boeing's SBInet project under fire again

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano has ordered a re-evaluation of options for protecting the United States-Mexico border because of delays in deploying the SBInet technology system.

Unisys sells health IT unit to Molina Healthcare

Unisys Corp. said it has agreed to sell its health information management unit that supports state Medicaid programs to Molina Healthcare Inc.

Agencies harness social media for Haiti relief efforts

Social media, satellite communications spring into action to help earthquake-devastated nation.

SAIC to assist Navy with modeling and simulation

SAIC has won a task order worth up to $249 million over five years to support Navy modeling and simulation activities in the Washington, D.C. area.

Harvard Pilgrim to support FDA monitoring efforts

Harvard Pilgrim Health Care has won a contract from the FDA to set up a prototype of a national monitoring system for drug and device safety that will collect automated data from providers and insurers.

Microsoft launches tech policy Web site

Microsoft today announced that it has launched a new Web site to engage the public in discussion about major technology policy issues including privacy, security, cloud computing and intellectual property rights.

HHS wants contractor to test privacy of 'anonymous' data

One of the important issues in the health IT discussion is whether patient medical data can be kept private and anonymous, and now the HHS is looking for a contractor to research that question.

NTIA grants lag, but $4.7B expected by February

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration is behind schedule in awarding broadband grants, according to the General Accountability Office. The GAO report identifies the problems.

OMB claims $19B in contractor savings

Twenty-four federal agencies have identified $19 billion in savings on contracts for fiscal 2010—which puts the White House on track to meet a goal of $40 billion in savings by fiscal 2011, according to the Office of Management Budget.

HHS pumps $60M into research on health IT adoption

HHS officials today announced a new program with $60 million for research on overcoming the barriers to adoption of electronic health records.

Dynamics Research to assist DHS with security compliance

Dynamics Research Corp. will be helping the Homeland Security Department comply with information security requirements under a new task order.