IBM agreement clears way for CGI award

IBM's agreement to withdraw its protest of an EPA contract will enable CGI Federal, which originally won the contract last year, to help the agency modernize its financial management system.

GAO: Purchase cards are being misused

In more than 40 percent of purchases made using government purchase cards, agencies could not prove users followed the safeguards established to prevent abuse, a GAO report has found.

Text message warning system lacks sponsor

The FCC yesterday adopted an order allowing transmission of emergency alerts via text message to cell phone users nationwide, but the plan could falter without an agency to head it.

PSC site to fight contracting myths

The Professional Services Council today launched a new Web site as a clearinghouse of information on government procurement issues.

Raytheon teams for GBS system

Raytheon is teaming with Harris Corp. and Hewlett Packard to chase an Air Force contract for the Global Broadcast Service Satellite Broadcast Manager transition contract.

Task orders slowdown under Eagle

The pace of task orders coming out of the Eagle IT contract at the Homeland Security Department slowed in the first half of fiscal 2008, according to new data.

Marine Corps issues SOA RFI

The Marine Corps is looking for a few good vendors who can provide information about the governance development and operation of service-oriented architectures.

DHS extends work visa timeframe

The Homeland Security Department's new rule for foreign students more than doubles the number of months that a foreign student may stay in the U.S. after graduation while applying for a work visa.

FBI keeps close tabs on Sentinel

The FBI is on track to deploy the second phase of its Sentinel case file management system within weeks, said FBI Director Robert Mueller.

Harris role in Census reduced

The 2010 census will return to using paper questionnaires, leaving a smaller role for handheld computers under development by Harris.

IBM suspension lifted

Big Blue announces agreement with EPA to end its suspension as investigation continues.

Cities at risk

Researchers use statistics to identify vulnerabilities.

DHS to beef up cybersecurity staff

The Homeland Security Department's infrastructure and cyber units are interviewing candidates for more than 300 job openings, a top DHS official testified this week.

Heated exchange

H-1B visa controversy remains source of friction for lawmakers and employers.

FCC sends unclear signal to bidders

The spectrum auction's failure is blamed on unanswered questions.

Lawmaker calls for tighter Northern border surveillance

DHS ought to install more ground and air radars along the U.S.-Canada border and boost the number of manned and unmanned aircraft patrols over the area, Sen. Jon Tester has said.

Time to nail down contractor roles

The question of which functions can or should be performed by federal contractors has been the focus of increasing debate, including two congressional hearings held in early March. The issues involved are complex but timely.

IBM suspension prohibits new orders from agencies

A government document obtained confirms that the EPA's March 27 suspension of IBM from government work stops agencies' actions to purchase from the company.

GAO finds fault with advisory contracts

Federal agency recordkeeping on contracting for advisory and assistance services is such a mess that the records are practically worthless, concludes a new report.

Alliant small-biz GWAC gets a second look

GSA asked the 62 small businesses on the governmentwide acquisition contract to extend their offers until Oct. 28.