Senate wants continuity software

The Senate wants to improve the management and maintenance of its continuity-of-operations plans (COOP) by using commercial software.

IBM lands SmartBuy deal with GSA

The General Services Administration has hooked a big one for SmartBuy, its enterprise software licensing program. IBM Corp. software including Rational, Informix and DB2 are now available through the vehicle.

GSA to charge $2,500 for Web services access to procurement data

The General Services Administration made it official yesterday, setting a one-time fee of $2,500 for vendors and the public to receive a direct, continuous feed from the new Federal Procurement Data System-Next Generation via Web services.

OMB mandates agency use of approved PKI providers

The Office of Management and Budget is requiring agencies to use one of three approved shared-service providers for public-key infrastructure and electronic-signature services.

Federal Supply Service's Heffernan to retire Dec. 31

Don Heffernan, CIO of the Federal Supply Service, will retire at year's end after 30 years of federal service.

GAO proposal would give feds A-76 protest rights

The Government Accountability Office today issued a proposed rule that would give agency officials the right to protest public-private competitions.

OMB outlines e-gov goals for 2005

In the coming year, the Office of Management and Budget wants to see major improvements in systems security and the quality of the business cases agencies submit.

AFFIRM details top CIO challenges, critical technologies

Federal CIOs are struggling to align IT and agency mission goals, and to use technology to improve customer service.

AFFIRM details top CIO challenges, critical technologies

Federal CIOs are struggling to align IT and agency mission goals, and to use technology to improve customer service.

Creator of first Census Web site to retire

After more than 30 years in government, longtime IT and e-government stalwart Valerie Gregg is retiring.

GSA will revive security working group

The General Services Administration will re-establish a governmentwide working group to evaluate telecommunications security and draft standards. The effort is part of GSA's Multitier Security Profile Program to package security services for agencies.

GPO outlines digital conversion plans

The Government Printing Office over the next two years will transform the way it collects, authenticates, stores and shares federal documents.

IG set to release final audit on FTS buying snafus

The General Services Administration will release this week a nationwide audit that details its review of all Federal Technology Service customer service centers.

GSA ups pressure for performance-based deals

Before signing to use the General Services Administration's procurement services, agencies will need to answer a simple question: Why can't this buy be performance-based?

Styles slams share in savings

Roughly 30 agencies are working on 45 programs that may use share-in-savings contracts, but the former head of federal procurement is trying to put the brakes on the use of the buying method.

New law makes cybersecurity part of early IT planning

The new 9/11 Intelligence bill requires agencies to do a better job of including cybersecurity in the planning and acquisition phases of systems development.

CFO Council takes over certification of financial apps

The Chief Financial Officers Council will take responsibility for approving financial software for government use, under a shift by the Office of Management and Budget.

Tech subcommittee director heads back to private sector

Robert Dix, staff director for the House Government Reform Subcommittee on Technology, Information Policy, Intergovernmental Relations and the Census, will leave Capital Hill after Jan. 1.

IAC/ACT director to step down

Joiwind Ronen, executive director of the Industry Advisory Council and the American Council for Technology, announced she will step down next year as soon as a replacement is found.

OMB to name Burk chief architect

The Office of Management and Budget plans to name Richard Burk of the Housing and Urban Development Department as the government's next chief architect, replacing Bob Haycock, who left in April.