Senate approves Registered Traveler for non-U.S. fliers

Foreign visitors to the U.S. would be able to sign up voluntarily as international registered travelers under a provision in the DHS spending bill passed by the Senate last week.

SBA plan would measure small-biz size over three years

SBA said the proposal would benefit businesses by cutting down on burdens when applying for assistance programs while keeping their status for a longer period of time.

Report: State fusion centers struggling

A new study, "Fusion Centers: Issues and Options for Congress," cites problems with State intelligence fusion centers' lack of connectivity with existing law enforcement databases and poor compliance with federally backed technical data-sharing standards.

In DHS appropriations, Senate gives Real ID thumbs down

Border security got an extra $3 billion, but Real ID spending took a hit, in Senate action on the Homeland Security Department fiscal 2008 appropriations bill yesterday.

States to increase human services spending

Spending on social services IT at the state level is expected to increase by more than $1 billion in 2008, according to a new report.

GPO seeks private sector help with e-IDs

GPO is asking the private sector for advice as it aims to lower costs and increase efficiency in the production of electronic identification credentialing systems such as e-passports and e-visas.

Grassley, Sun Microsystems audit battle may be ending

A six-week war of words between the ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee and Sun Microsystems over a proposed GSA audit of the company's pricing practices may be nearing an end ? if both sides can agree on a referee.

Washington picks Digimarc for RFID-enabled licensing

Washington State is moving forward on deploying the nation's first RFID-enabled driver's license that also will serve as a border crossing card under a pilot program authorized by DHS.

DHS seeks to modernize DRO

DHS' Immigration and Customs Enforcement division issued a pre-solicitation notice July 24 requesting project management support services for the Office of Detention and Removal.

Massachusetts names Margulies CIO

Anne Margulies, a technology professional from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is the Bay State's new assistant secretary for information technology and state chief information officer.

Acquisition terms are worth their weight in gold

Get a handle on acquisition terms and conditions

Changes mean new calculus for mergers

SBA's new size recertification rule could radically change the landscape for small businesses interested in being acquired and their potential buyers.

New rule targets large firms

But impact of recertification could affect many small businesses.

Briefs

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Homeland watch

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FEMA steps up first responder ID effort

DHS is working on national standards for credentials for first responders, but development is still in the early stages.

ITAA praises contractor tax delay

The Information Technology Association of America is cheering a possible one-year delay in the implementation of a tax on government contractors.

Congress receives DHS Real ID request

DHS released its plan to push forward new nationally standardized drivers' licenses to the Senate and House Appropriations Committees.

SBA offers set-aside solution

SBA will implement an Electronic Procurement Center Representative system to help the agency analyze individual procurements and make it easier for agencies to identify small businesses capable of providing requested goods and services.