Biometric group looks to hone standards

An IT standards committee has named four new task groups to rein in the proliferating methods and formats of biometric authentication.

Pitching to an agency? Study its enterprise architecture

Vendors can use an agency's enterprise architecture as a guide to selling their products by showing how the products and services fit into an agency's mission, a market researcher advises.

A new generation for EA modeling

There are plenty of good reasons for creating enterprise architectures: Such models can take the sting out of integrating agency functions, launching new initiatives or just optimizing existing functions and IT investments.

Senators want program funding

Fourteen senators asked Appropriations Committee leaders to help restore funding for the Small Business Innovation Research program, which provides research and development funds to small businesses. Funding for the program was cut in the omnibus appropriations bill.

Cybersecurity leaders named

Rep. Mac Thornberry, R-Texas, was named chairman of the new House Homeland Security subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Science and Research and Development. Rep Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., was named ranking minority member.

Tech Success: Enterprise architecture made simple

While the concept of an enterprise architecture may remain an abstract notion to many agency executives, one integrator is hoping to show managers at the Census Bureau how useful an enterprise architecture can be, mainly by deploying flexible modeling software from Computas NA Inc., Sammamish, Wash.

Cybersecurity still a priority

Administration officials sought to reassure information technology industry executives that the federal government has not lost its focus on cybersecurity.

Lawmaker: Buy American in Iraq

Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., has introduced legislation to mandate that the Army use American-based cell phone technology when building out a cellular phone infrastructure for Iraq.

Bush officials try to reassure industry on cybersecurity

Administration officials sought to reassure information technology industry executives that the federal government has not lost its focus on cybersecurity during a Capitol Hill forum today.

Revamped A-76 due before summer

At a Capitol Hill hearing, defense of the adminstration's competitive sourcing policies.

Procurement trends reshape federal market

When <b>Dave Zeppieri</b> joined the Office of Justice Programs last March as its chief information officer, he knew almost immediately that he needed help putting together budget plans that would pass muster with the Office of Management and Budget.

Direct conversion of jobs won't be part of final A-76 policy

New procedures for public-private competition of government jobs likely will omit a provision for direct conversion of public-sector work to the private sector.

Officials: Unbundling can work under a watchful eye

At a Senate hearing today, federal officials said efforts to unbundle contracts and ease the effects of necessary bundling on small businesses could work if properly implemented and monitored.

NAS investigates networking security legal solutions

A possible solution to computer security vulnerabilities may be to widen the scope of parties that could be held liable for the damage they do, according to a report from the National Academy of Sciences.

Navy sets parameters for single portal project

The Navy's new guide for establishing a Navy-Marine Corps Portal says the new portal must be capable of integrating and viewing data using commercial standards for Web services as specified by the service's chief information officer.

Air Force considers abandoning A-76 for outsourcing

The Air Force has had such poor luck running OMB A-76 competitions to outsource IT that the service no longer considers use of A-76 beneficial, the service's CIO said today.

CNSI navigates protest-filled path to Energy contract

For a Rockville, Md., IT services company, an $81 million contract comes after two protests, a cancellation and a stop-work order.

Rep. Davis: Give president fast-track reorganization authority

Congress should give the president fast-track authority to reorganize government agencies to prevent the squabbling that hampered the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, a key House lawmaker said today.

Buy Lines: How to play in the government's market research game

Government and industry have a lot to learn about market research for federal performance-based acquisitions.

DOD issues interim rule

<FONT SIZE=2>An interim acquisition rule went into effect March 1 requiring Defense Department contractors to submit bills electronically and DOD to process the bills electronically. The capability is required by the National Defense Authorization Act of 2001. </FONT>