DOD's cost-plus contracts misusing taxpayer money

Defense Department officials need to get a better grasp about the validity and specifications for expensive programs, GAO said this week.

NIH seeks comment on new GWACs

The National Institutes of Health wants input from industry and federal agencies as it prepares to revise three governmentwide acquisition contracts in health and research IT.

Treasury to conduct open competition for IT services

The open competition for Treasury's Information Technology Infrastructure Managed Services contract is valued at $300 million.

Report: Small-vessel security to rely on tech tools

Technology will be a key component in reducing the terrorist threat associated with the nation's recreational and commercial small boats, according to a new DHS strategy.

Unisys to build Maine Medicaid system

Unisys will develop and then manage health care claim processing for Maine's new MaineCare Information System under a contract that could be worth as much as $180 million.

IG clears spectrum adviser of allegations

An official adviser's request for millions of dollars in lease payments for a national public safety broadband network probably was not enough to deter prospective bidders.

Justice issues RFP for wireless devices

The Justice Department has issued a request for proposals to procure wireless devices and accessories for the U.S. Marshals Service.

NTSB laptops lack security features: GAO

Nearly half the laptop PCs at the National Transportation Safety Board do not have the required encryption needed to protect data, according to the Government Accountability Office.

Contracting reform bills make it through House

The Close the Contractor Fraud Loophole Act, the Contractors and Federal Spending Accountability Act and the The Government Contractor Accountability Act were passed by the House yesterday.

TSA issues RFP for risk-assessment software

The Transportation Security Administration has issued a request for proposals for commercial risk-assessment software.

GSA releases FAR changes for comment

GSA is seeking public comment on proposed changes to the Federal Acquisition Regulation that would place greater emphasis on government contractors' past performance when they bid on new awards.

DHS to rebuild Project 28 fence

The mobile border surveillance system deployed as a prototype of SBInet in Arizona is coming down and will be replaced with an updated version with permanent towers.

Bush administration opposes small-biz research bill

The SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Act would require agencies to set aside 3 percent of their outside research budgets or $650 million each year.

DARPA needs next-gen compilers

The agency is looking to fund development of compilers that can dynamically optimize programs for the specific environments in which they will run.

Panel to debate GSA price reduction clause

GSA's price reduction clause is likely to be at the center of debate for a new advisory panel, which is reviewing the schedules program.

Feds see strong demand for border-crossing cards

Hundreds of thousands of Americans have applied voluntarily for new and expanded border-crossing identification cards through the Bush Administration's Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.

Three win Army logistics support contracts

The Army confirmed this week that the three original winners of LOGCAP IV will do the work even through GAO upheld the protest in October.

Fusion centers suffer information overload

Dozens of state and local intelligence fusion centers are having difficulties juggling the multiple information systems that provide them with data, according to a new GAO report.

GSA establishes advisory panel for Schedule program

A new advisory panel will begin an in-depth review of GSA's policies and regulations for schedule contracts, the agency announced yesterday.

Census field data contract to be reworked

The Census Bureau is renegotiating its contract with Harris Corp. for the Field Data Collection Automation portion of the 2010 census.