Pulling no punches on Army acquisition

The October report from the Special Commission on Army Acquisition and Program Management in Expeditionary Operations contains a set of recommendations that will require collaboration from the Army, DOD and Congress.

Patent rules would impede innovation

The U.S. patent system has been vital to the American economy and the U.S. role inthe world economy. Patents have taken center stage in fostering innovation andserving as the catalyst for innovation.

Ethics group to rank contractors

A nonpartisan ethics group is launching a project to rank the ethics and compliance programs of government contractors.

Data sharing, access present problems for fusion centers

To solve the issue, ODNI's National Counterterrorism Center has been working to come up with standards for communicating among centers, and DHS has been working to merge its classified networks into ONE integrated system.

SBA drops companies from top small-biz list

The Small Business Administration's list of the Top 100 small businesses in 2007 reflects new size standard policies and an effort to scrub improperly listed businesses.

OMB reviewing revised Real ID standards

After taking public comments into account, DHS officials have submitted a revised set of minimum federal standards that states must meet when issuing driver's licenses and ID cards to satisfy the Real ID Act of 2005.

Canadian hybrid driver's license initiative stalls

The Canadian government still has some work to do before the U.S. DHS approves plans for hybrid driver's licenses that would substitute for passports.

Coast Guard to seek NAIS proposals

DHS is getting ready to request proposals for help with implementing the core aspect of the Coast Guard's nationwide communication system that will improve how ships correspond with one another and communicate with shore stations.

Lockheed, Sanmina-SCI join forces for VIS-X

Lockheed Martin and Sanmina-SCI have signed a teaming agreement to pursue a multibillion-dollar Army program to upgrade military vehicles with digital communications systems.

Maritime Security: Better tracking of small craft needed

New tools are helping the Coast Guard develop situational awareness at the Port of Miami, but more assistance is needed to track small boats and noncooperative vessels.

Audit: DOD limits procurement competition

The audit found that 48 DOD contract actions had no justifications for going to NIH, and 62 actions had inadequate reasons for the decision.

B.C. wants to use driver's licenses for entry

British Columbia has asked U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff for permission to deploy driver's licenses that also will serve as border-crossing cards for entry into the U.S.

EDS to provide personal ID cards for VA

EDS Corp. has won a contract from the Veterans Affairs Department to develop PIV for all VA employees, affiliates and contractors.

Clinton seeks broader investigation of award fees

The company that received an improper $475 million contract from DHS also may have received an inappropriate financial bonus as part of the deal, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.), said today.

Report: E-verify database fails standard test

The E-Verify program uses a database that does not meet accuracy standards set by Congress, according to a new report.

Where the customers are

Start counting your frequent flier miles because our rankings of the top 25 cities by the number of government employees will have you going from the beaches of Miami to the cold waters of the Pacific Northwest and everywhere in between.

No. 6: San Antonio

Although San Antonio is best-known for the ill-fated 19th-century battle at theAlamo, the city has a vibrant and rapidly growing 21st-century military- andfederal-contractor presence.

No. 7: Jacksonville, N.C.

Camp Lejuene is the major driver of business in the area known for its fishing,rural lifestyle and close proximity to the North Carolina coast.

No. 10: Dallas

The North Texas metropolitan area is home to a large number of IT services companies, all with large government businesses. And others are in the region to support militaryprojects.

No. 16: Phoenix

The federal contractor and IT presence includes Motorola Inc., Honeywell Aerospace, Phelps Dodge Corp. and STMicroelectronics N.V. of Switzerland. With 15,000 municipal employees, Phoenix is one of the Southwest's biggest employers.