Author Archive

Wilson P. Dizard III

General Dynamics gets passcard deal

General Dynamics Information Technology has won a $72.7 million contract from the State Department to lead a team that will print the passport card.

FBI postpones $1B award for database upgrade

The FBI's Criminal Justice Information Service Division has delayed the contract award for upgrades to its fingerprint ID databases for about a month.

Terrorist Screening Center fails to redress errors, audit says

A DOE audit of the Terrorist Screening Center found that the flaws begin with the fact that the center is maintained on two separate database systems that are supposed to contain identical data but don't.

NASCIO study: Merging data facilities among vital tasks

The National Association of State CIOs study reported a strong trend toward "states consolidating their computing assets into raised-floor, secured, centralized data center facilities."

Report: State fusion centers struggling

A new study, "Fusion Centers: Issues and Options for Congress," cites problems with State intelligence fusion centers' lack of connectivity with existing law enforcement databases and poor compliance with federally backed technical data-sharing standards.

ATF seeking wireless iPass system proposals

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said in a procurement notice that it seeks to award a contract by November for a wireless system based on technology from iPass.

ACS settles federal fraud case

Affiliated Computer Services Inc. will pay the federal government $2.6 million to resolve allegations that it had submitted inflated charges for services it provided via programs run by and through several departments and agencies.

NOAA seeks assistance with solar data management

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration seeks a vendor to help the agency study the status of commercial equipment for gathering information about solar flares.

Pentagon eyes IT support for data center

The Defense Department will request proposals from vendors in August for architecture and database support to the Defense Manpower Data Center.

Three win $950M DOJ case management deal

Three major IT companies will compete for Justice Department task orders through a $950 million contract to provide automated litigation support services.

GAO: FBI networks remain at risk

A GAO audit has warned that despite measures the FBI has implemented to tighten IT security, its critical networks for exchanging law enforcement data remain at risk.

Bureau to seek proposals for NGI improvements

<font color="CC0000">(UPDATED) </font color> The FBI wants its new Next Generation ID biometric information system to furnish faster and more high-quality links to other such repositories.

DHS data center to forge into new frontier

DHS plans to select a vendor this summer to build a second cross-agency data center, and has directed prospective contractors to propose locations in the Western U.S. to help shield the facility from any major East Coast blackout.

Double the audits, double the criticism for DHS

DHS' technology investment management came in for criticism from congressional auditors in a report last week. GAO described risks in the agency's use of technology to implement a port security law in a second report, while noting some progress.

General Dynamics gets Immigration Services tech deal

General Dynamics Corp. has won a task order worth up to $227 million to provide technology support to the Citizenship and Immigration Services bureau.

FBI on cusp of Trilogy technology update

The FBI issued a "sources sought" notice to vendors last Oct. 27 for its Technology Refresh Program.

Collaboration lacking among DHS Watch Centers: GAO

A GAO report uncovers poor coordination among the Homeland Security Department's national and regional operations centers.

Chertoff accepts DHS undersecretary's resignation

Michael Chertoff, DHS secretary, today has accepted the resignation of George Foresman, undersecretary for preparedness.

DHS to test 10-fingerprint scanner technology

Homeland Security pilot projects will evaluate L-1 Identity Solutions' Identix Touch Print 4100 Enhanced Definition Device and Crossmatch Technologies' L Scan Guardian Scanners.

Chertoff increases DHS CIO's authority

Michael Chertoff, DHS secretary, this morning announced a plan to give new, significant powers to the department's CIO.