Support your first responder

Feds tag $5 billion for state and local emergency preparedness.

Networx gets ready to rock 'n' roll

It's not just the members of Generation X and Generation Y who want instant gratification. A lot of veterans of the government contracting market share that trait.

Pack it up and go anywhere

NMCI's 'network in a box' allows troops to set up offices in the field.

Alion wins DOD logistics services work

Alion Science and Technology Corp. will provide logistics, maintenance and supply services to the Defense Department under a new contract.

Savvy IT firms buck trend, gain share

The stocks of federal information technology and professionalservices companies are performing in line withthe S&P 500 this year. Both are down about 6 percent,while aerospace and defense companies' stocks are havinganother solid year and are up 7 percent.

Congress' mixed messages on competition

Some in Congress believe the proportion of federal contracts that are competitivelyawarded has dropped precipitously even though competition levels are at about the same proportion today as they were 10 years ago.

Agencies don't always play by the rules on commercial-item contracts

By knowing the rules and terms beforehand, contractors can successfully defend against audits of commercial-item contracts.

Survey: Web 2.0 pays off for early adopters

A recent survey by AMR Research found that most organizations get unexpected results when they launch Web 2.0 technologies.

GSA seeks comments on mentor program

The General Services Administration would like to have its own mentor/protégé program and is seeking public comment on the proposal.

Broadcast engineers rally around emergency alert protocol

A professional engineers group is trying to jump-start FEMA's procedure to authorize use of the Common Alerting Protocol for national emergency alerts.

SRA to do IT work for energy commission

SRA International will provide support services to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission under a new contract.

DHS tests Global Entry program

DHS initiated pilot projects at three airports this week to test its new Global Entry program for pre-registered U.S. citizens and permanent residents returning from travel abroad.

Bush: Companies required to confirm employee legal work status

The Bush administration is requiring that all federal contractors use an electronic verification system to ensure that employees are eligible to work in the U.S.

Cloud computing gets ready for prime time

Despite recent outages at online retailer Amazon.com, many technology experts say the outlook for cloud computing looks bright.

Stanley accelerates growth with Oberon buy

Stanley Inc. will acquire Oberon Associates Inc., a provider of engineering, intelligence operations and information technology services, for $170 million.

Skinner: DHS must shore up acquisition management

Homeland Security Department appears to lack a current inventory of certified personnel and the acquisitions to which they are assigned, according to its inspector general.

Tyler wins Texas county court software deal

Tyler Technologies Inc. has won a contract from the city of Arlington, Texas, to install a municipal court case management system.

DHS to issue new Sentri cards

Travelers along the border between the United States and Mexico participating in the Homeland Security Department's SENTRI identification card program will be receiving new, upgraded ID cards by July.

General Dynamics unit to upgrade DHS network

General Dynamics One Source has won a five-year contract from the Homeland Security Department to upgrade the Homeland Security Information Network.