Microsoft tops U.S. companies on H-1B visas

Microsoft was the top U.S. company to receive H-1B visas in 2008, reports U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Recovery.gov keeps its eyes on the money

The White House's Recovery.gov Web site for tracking stimulus spending is posting links to federal and state sites.

Tech's promise

Information Technology Industry Council leader Dean Garfield is positioning his organization to play an influential role in the new administration.

GAO finds 25 contractors got work after debarrment

More than two dozen federal contractors guilty of fraud and illegal activity still managed to win millions of dollars in contracts, according to a new GAO report.

DHS to pursue flexible acquisition methods

The Homeland Security Department has modified its investment review process and is strengthening procurement, according to its management undersecretary, Elaine Duke.

EPA awards green technology contracts

The Environmental Protection Agency has awarded contracts to 23 companies to develop green technologies as part of its small business innovation research program.

TSA issues RFI for Web-based passenger data systems

The agency wants information on systems to collect hourly data on waiting times for passenger security checkpoints at airports.

GAO publishes Red Book volume

The GAO has finished updating the second edition of its main reference guide to federal appropriations and how they affect budgeting and contracting.

Towns warns against "con artist" contractors

Rep. Ed Towns has scheduled a hearing to examine whether more anti-fraud protections are needed in the economic stimulus package to guard against "convicts and con artists."

Contractors call for Trade Adjustment Assistance

IT companies and trade groups are lobbying Congress to include trade adjustment money in the final stimulus bill.

Analysis: Midsize firms hardest hit by new requirement

A new self-disclosure requirement for contractors is likely to have the greatest impact on midsize firms, a government contracting expert said.

Senate, House stimulus versions differ on E-Verify

The House version of the economic stimulus bill would require E-Verify employment verification for all contracts covered by the stimulus spending; the Senate bill approved yesterday does not.

CBP issues RFI for traffic monitoring technology

Agency officials would like to obtain an information system that can continuously monitor and measure incoming automobile traffic within 10 miles of U.S./Canada border entry points.

Analysis: Stimulus package ripe with IT opportunities

Stimulus package favors IT opportunities in health care, energy, broadband and cybersecurity.

DRC gets immigration services work

Dynamics Research Corp. will help immigration authorities with collecting fingerprints and photographs under a new contract.

Grassley submits H-1B amendment

The legislation would ban TARP funds from going to companies that employ H-1B visa holders.

DHS, Boeing move closer to SBInet rollout

Lab testing of the Homeland Security Department's SBInet virtual fence revealed minor computer bugs that are expected to be fixed before construction begins in March or April, the program's director said.

Contractors, IT groups lobby against Buy American provisions

Several dozen companies and industry groups are joining in a lobbying effort to block Buy American provisions in the Senate stimulus package.

New rules for importers take effect

A last-minute Bush administration rule requiring importers to file more data on shipments went into effect Jan 25.

Grassley hits Microsoft on layoffs

Microsoft should lay off its foreign workers on H-1B visas before it lays off American workers, Sen. Charles Grassley.