Optimism greets Obama

Take your pick: the economy, the war or the budget. We all have plenty of things to worry about in 2009. But one of the encouraging aspects about working on this issue’s cover story is that a recurring theme of optimism kept creeping into people’s comments.

DCAA changes audit guidelines

New Defense Department guidelines for field auditors are too restrictive and create greater risks for contractors, according to a government contracts expert.

IAC to Obama: Federal IT needs overhaul

IAC’s Transition Study Group met Dec. 12 with Obama’s transition team, recommending among other things a modernization of the government’s policies and practices regarding IT.

Alliance: Feds need long-range IT plan

The Business Software Alliance has published its 2009 technology policy agenda.

Report calls for increased contractor scrutiny

Congress has moved in the right direction in contractor oversight, but the Obama administration and incoming Congress need to do more, the new report said.

AeA, ITAA merger wins boards' approval

The boards of directors of AeA and the Information Technology Association of America have approved the merger of the two trade associations.

Transition turmoil

Advice on helping your customers through the transition.

Lawmaker calls ports ID program 'abysmal failure'

Some 3,000 applications for identification cards for seaport workers were inadvertently deleted by the program's contractor, according to the chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee.

2008: In Review | A year of turmoil and uncertainty

Security, tight budgets and contract protests dominate a look back at 2008.

Ruling buttresses small businesses

'Rule of Two' decision troubles industry leaders.

Boeing, SBInet reach critical phase

Virtual fence project enters critical stage as Boeing strives to earn contract renewal.

New SBInet chief has high hopes

Retired Air Force Col. Mark Borkowski believes SBInet is in a better position for a successful deployment than he first assumed.

8(a) companies face new uncertainty

The pressure and uncertainty is increasing for small businesses in the government market.

Stan Soloway | Reforms must follow fact, not fiction

The Obama administration will need to get the facts straight before making acquisition reforms.

GAO: Treasury must keep bailout transparent

Treasury has hired PricewaterhouseCoopers to help implement internal controls for the Troubled Assets Relief Program.

Input: Cabinet nominees will keep tabs on states' needs

Spending on IT initiatives are likely to increase under the Obama administration, reports market research company Input.

Obama to states: Help is on the way

States are planning to move on an array of infrastructure projects if they can get financial assistance from the incoming administration.

Transition Watch: Napolitano had doubts about Real ID

Gov. Janet Napolitano has signed legislation to ban the program in Arizona but supported the driver's license aspect of Real ID.

Governors to ask for $176B in federal aid

With 43 states facing budget shortfalls, the nation's governors plan to ask President-elect Barack Obama for $176 billion in federal aid.