Deepwater whistle-blower 'has a conscience,' attorney says

The engineer who blew the whistle on alleged shoddy practices in the Coast Guard's Deepwater project took action because of his own conscience, his attorney said today.

SBInet continues to draw fire

The three-year-old SBInet project is proceeding with construction under sharp criticism and lukewarm assessments by government inspectors.

Airport officials ask Congress not to disrupt TSA biometrics work

Airport executives are asking Congress not to disrupt an existing biometrics program that would be converted to full competition if new TSA legislation is passed.

Lockheed Martin promises fight over Deepwater suit

The False Claims Act lawsuit involves a former employee's allegations that the company says it has already investigated and found without merit.

False Claims Act lawsuit filed against Deepwater contractors

A whistleblower has filed a lawsuit alleging serious deficiencies in performance by the prime contractors for the $24 billion Deepwater procurement by the Coast Guard.

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.

NOAA establishes satellite data climate institute

A national consortium led by the University of Maryland has won a contract to use satellite observations to detect and monitor climate change.

GAO: Contractor performance reviews fall short

Federal agencies conducted only 31 percent of the required performance reviews on contracts in 2007, the GAO found in a new report.

Deepwater in trouble, watchdog says

The Coast Guard accepted the first National Security Cutter under Deepwater without completing operational tests, according to a watchdog group.

Senate panel approves IT oversight bill

A Senate panel has approved legislation to require federal agencies to set up Web sites to track IT projects and create 'tiger teams' for troubled projects.

House bill would require competition on TSA biometric contract

The pending House bill would make the TSA put up for competitive bid a longstanding, sole-provider contract for processing fingerprints for backgrounds checks on aviation workers.

CMS to build IT systems to track incentive payments

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will develop IT systems to monitor incentive payments to doctors and hospitals.

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.

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.

SBInet planning improves, IG says

Customs and Border Protection has made gains in defining and meeting the goals of border technology systems, according to a new IG report.

The race for technology reform

In his first 100 days in office, President Barack Obama brought a fresh approach to new technologies and an ambitious IT reform agenda. However, a lack of specific details has frustrated the contracting community.