'09 budget request has IT spending on the rise

In all, only four agencies saw decreases in their IT budget requests over 2008 enacted, and OMB's IT budget remained the same at $4 million.

Agencies get guidance for winning DHS grants

State and local agencies seeking a share of the $3 billion in DHS grants should make priorities of protecting against improvised explosives, creating preparedness plans and aligning with the National Preparedness Guidelines, according to guidance released.

States brace for budget hits

Spending at the state level will slow in the short term and could dramatically slow over the long haul.

DHS may target small boats for RFID

The nation's 18 million recreational boaters may need to register and place RFID tags on their crafts under plans put forth by a stakeholders group convened by the DHS.

Davis exit will leave void in Congress

The exit of Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.) from Congress could be a significant loss to the federal acquisition community, industry leaders say.

Management issues weigh down DHS

DHS continues to face major management challenges across the board, according to a new report from Richard Skinner, the department's inspector general.

Kaine: Talk results to capture business

Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine urged contractors selling to state governments to talk about tangible results they can help states achieve.

Davis will not run for seventh term

After 14 years in Congress, Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.), a staunch advocate of federal technology and procurement policy, announced today he will not run again.

FCC has only one bid on spectrum

After nearly a week of bidding, the FCC says it has received only a single bid, far below its reserve price, for the radio spectrum block reserved for first responders.

Joint directive to double federal cyber spending

A classified joint directive signed by President Bush has the potential of increasing by several billion dollars a year the federal investment in defense against cyberattacks.

SmartBuy Security LOB contract in development

A blanket purchase agreement could be in place as early as late summer.

DHS seeks SBInet help

DHS is reaching for more assistance for its SBInet border surveillance program with as much as $170 million in additional support contracts to be awarded this year, according to a recent analysis.

FEMA seeks IT overhaul

FEMA is preparing to award a contract worth up to $1 billion to overhaul its IT architecture and software.

Bases compete for Cyber Command

Air Force bases in five states are competing to become the permanent headquarters for the Air Force's new Cyber Command created in November 2006.

GAO urges oversight strategy to measure acquisition changes

A year after the SARA panel issued recommendations on how to improve federal service contracting, GAO is urging OFPP to develop a strategy that includes milestones and reporting requirements.

GSA ventures into the world of SaaS

The Office of Citizen Services and Communications has issued two requests for proposals for Web analytics and online collaboration tools that call out software as a service.

FCC spectrum auction hits snag

The fate of the planned nationwide broadband network for first responders is still up in the air.

Davis foresees an end to A-76

A program encouraging the private sector to compete with federal employees for work that is considered commercial is essentially dead for now, according to Rep. Tom Davis.

Portal consolidation to improve DHS' info sharing

The new Web environment will replace the existing SBU Homeland Security Information Network platform, which many fusion centers and first responders use to share data with DHS.

SBInet goes mobile with radar

DHS is adding mobile radar units to its $8 billion SBInet border surveillance system to provide extra capabilities and fill small gaps in coverage.