Senate passes Lieberman-Thompson e-gov bill
The legislation creates an Office of Electronic Government in the Office of Management and Budget and establish a four-year, $345 million e-government fund.
White House mulls small-business help
Two White House working groups are slated to make recommendations this fall for helping small businesses compete more effectively for federal contracts. Among their tasks, the interagency groups will try to identify large, governmentwide contracts that can be "unbundled" or divided into smaller contracts that small businesses would have a better chance of winning, according to administration officials.
Capital Roundup
The House Defense Authorization Act, H.R. 4546, contains a provision for the creation of a technology transfer center that would pass military technology on to emergency first responders. The House passed the bill in May with a 359-58 vote. First responders include fire and rescue personnel. The technologies could include global positioning system transponders and sensors to monitor heart rates and bodily systems.
IT industry taking cautious approach to homeland security legislation
Information technology industry executives are watching closely the process of creating a federal Department of Homeland Security, but say they're not actively trying to influence how the department is created or what government entities are included in it.
New A-76 draft is 'on my desk,' OMB's Styles says
An interagency task force has almost completed its work on a draft of a new version of Office of Management and Budget Circular A-76. The circular dictates rules for public-private competitions for government work. "I have a draft version on my desk right now," said Angela Styles, administrator of OMB's Office of Federal Procurement Policy.
Best practices for accessibility template published
The Information Technology Industry Council of Washington June 18 said it had published best practices in the use of its template that IT vendors can use to describe the accessibility features of their products.
Initial costs of homeland security could top $135B
Government and business leaders believe securing the homeland against potential terrorist threats could cost between $93 billion and $138 billion in 2003, according to new market research.
Bush: High-tech has made 'incredible difference' in war on terror
President Bush praised U.S. high-tech prowess in helping defend the homeland at a June 13 meeting with about 130 high-tech executives at the 21st Century High Tech forum at the White House. "Our high-tech gains have made an incredible difference" in the war on terrorism, Bush said in an afternoon address that followed closed sessions with the executives and administration executives, including Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge. The sessions addressed homeland security, economic growth and education.
Rule adds competition to defense spending
Government and information technology industry officials are anxiously awaiting a new federal procurement rule, to be issued June 26, that is meant to ensure adequate competition on Defense Department multiple-award contracts.
Lawmakers revive outsourcing bills
As White House officials consider new rules to replace the A-76 process for private-public competition, several lawmakers are preparing to re-introduce legislation that would make it more difficult to outsource government work to the private sector.
With AMS deal, Wyoming first state to outsource all payroll, accounting data
American Management Systems Inc. has won a $4.8 million, 36-month contract from Wyoming to host the state payroll system and other accounting and procurement services, the company announced June 11. "By hosting its data through AMS' advanced facilities, the state auditor's office will be better able to focus on taking care of its core business ? managing and coordinating the state's fiscal operations," said Donna Morea of AMS Public Sector.
Capital Roundup: In brief
IT industry and government officials at a June 7 congressional hearing praised a proposed federal program that would evaluate technical solutions to homeland security challenges.
Lawmakers predict signing Department of Homeland Security bill by Sept. 11
Members of Congress testifying before a House panel June 11 said they would work with the administration so that a bill establishing a Department of Homeland Security could be signed by Sept. 11, the one-year anniversary of the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington. "Doesn't it make sense to approve the conference report for a new Department of Homeland Security at our extraordinary congressional session in New York City Sept. 6, and to witness the signing ceremony at the Pentagon Sept. 11?" asked Rep. Jane Harman, D-Calif.
PwC Consulting makes 'Monday' announcement
PwC Consulting's new name is at once familiar and strange.
Higher ed can't meet info security demand
More than half the undergraduates enrolled in the management of information systems degree program at Western Connecticut State University in Danbury are taking the information security track, according to Marie Wright, associate professor of management information systems. The university first offered the information security track in 1999. Ninety percent of undergraduate MIS students now take at least one information security course, she said.
House panel members laud Bush Homeland Security plan
Members of a key House technology panel June 7 responded enthusiastically to President Bush's proposed Cabinet-level Department of Homeland Security. "I believe the proposed Department of Homeland Security will greatly assist information sharing by reorganizing the government along more rational, strategic lines that will more efficiently pursue homeland security," said Rep. Tom Davis, R-Va.
Veridian stock makes strong Wall St. debut
Veridian Corp.'s stock closed June 5 at $18.15 per share in its first day of trading on the New York Stock Exchange, up 13.44 percent from its initial public offering price of $16. The stock opened the day at $18. "We felt we had a very well-received offering and strong investor interest," said David Langstaff, president and chief executive officer, who rang the day's closing bell on the exchange.
Conquest gets $140 million for contract expansion
Conquest Inc. has won a $140 million contract expansion to provide technical support to a U.S. intelligence agency.
Covansys Corp. acquires PDA Software Services
Covansys Corp. announced it has acquired PDA Software Services Inc. for about $16.5 million.
House office picks Saflink's biometric software
Saflink Corp. announced that the House of Representatives Office of the Legislative Counsel is using its software, SAF2000 for the Enterprise.
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