Several members of Congress are seeking to learn how background checks and security clearances failed to flag the questionable academic credentials of a senior official at the Department of Homeland Security.
Karen Evans, a federal employee of more than 20 years, became chief information officer of the Energy Department in January 2002. In December 2002, she became vice chair of the federal Chief Information Officers Council. The council is the principal forum for agency CIOs to develop recommendations for federal information technology management policy, procedures and standards. As vice chairman, Evans has called for federal CIOs to continue developing a governance process for IT architecture and to develop standards for common transactions between government agencies.
Just six months after acquiring the consulting arm of PricewaterhouseCoopers, IBM Corp. can already point to tangible gains in the federal marketplace.
The House Government Reform Committee has taken another important step in improving the government's acquisition system and practices: It approved May 7 the Services Acquisition Reform Act of 2003, sponsored by Rep. Tom Davis, R-Va.
	The House approved a bill establishing a national nanotechnology research and development program. H.R. 766 authorizes $2.4 billion over three years for research of molecular technologies.
	The House Government Reform Committee approved the Services Acquisition Reform Act, a bill first introduced in the last congressional session but didn't make it out of committee.
	State and local governments can now buy information technology products and services through the Federal Supply Service's schedule contracts, under an interim rule published May 7 in the <I>Federal Register</I> by the General Services Administration.
A House committee has promised ongoing scrutiny of federal small-business programs after receiving evidence that large companies frequently are awarded contracts intended for small firms.
Governments worldwide are increasingly bullish about outsourcing, according to a new study of 22 nations by management consulting and technology services firm Accenture Ltd. of Hamilton, Bermuda.
The Food and Drug Administration is conducting a survey to learn if small businesses can support the Office of the Chief Information Officer IT Infrastructure Consolidation project. In fiscal 2004, FDA will consolidate its IT infrastructure into a single, shared-services organization under one provider. The agency will award a performance-based contract for one year with four one-year options. The contract is likely to include fixed price and IDIQ portions.
	The federal government has released a request for information on the Integrated Maintenance Data System Master Evolution Plan. It is seeking comments on the plan's content, including answers to questions such as whether a project can be successful based on the MEP, to what degree and by what means. There are numerous other aspects to this RFI. For more information, see solicitation no. SSG-IMDS-01 on fedbizopps.gov. Responses are due by June 6.
	The Headquarters Standard Systems Group of the Air Force Materiel Command is acquiring network-centric solutions, including information technology, networking, telephony, security and voice, video and data communications. The planned acquisition, which will support the Air Force's global information grid architecture, will establish an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract for network-centric IT commercial products, security and systems solutions. Details can be found on fedbizopps.gov, solicitation no. SSG-03-001. Responses are due by May 30.
PEC Solutions Inc. has been hit with several class-action lawsuits filed on behalf of shareholders after the company's stock plunged 38 percent in a single trading day in March.
In recent years, the term due diligence has become part of the acquisition lexicon. Ideally, it describes the process and period during which competitors learn in detail about an agency's needs and practices before they propose solutions. It involves greater information sharing and more open communications by government agencies.
The Defense Department generally is doing a good job of using commercial best practices for implementing outsourcing programs, but it needs a framework for sharing lessons learned, according to a General Accounting Office report.
	Small businesses that receive a multiple-award contract will have to annually certify that they continue to meet the size standard for a small business, according to a proposed rule published by the Small Business Administration in the Federal Register April 25.
The Defense Department's Business Opportunities Web site will shut down by the end of fiscal 2004 and its functions will be transferred to the Federal Business Opportunities site, www.fedbizopps.gov.
