Alliance: Government must help guard personal data

Congress should require both private companies and government agencies to notify people if their personal data has been breached or stolen online, the leader of a cybersecurity industry group said this week.

Councils grant extension for ethics comments

The comment period for a proposed Contractor Code of Ethics Rule will run several weeks longer than planned ? until May 23.

Coast Guard moves to strengthen acquisition

The Coast Guard is embarking on an 18-month initiative to consolidate and improve its acquisition functions.

First part of border network to be "stripped down"

The first section of the $8 billion Secure Border Initiative Network border surveillance system will get a streamlined version of the system anticipated for the rest of the border.

Security, budgets top agency IT concerns

IT security and IT budget constraints are top concerns for federal IT officials, according to a survey conducted at the FOSE trade show.

Coast Guard takes helm of Deepwater

The Coast Guard will take over the role of lead systems integrator role from Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman for the $24 billion Deepwater acquisition.

Agencies issue RFQ for data encryption

DOD and GSA last week issued a request for quotations for full-disk encryption or a file/folder encryption system under the SmartBuy enterprise software management program.

And there were three ...

GSA cut the number of vendors competing to run its Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 managed service office from six to three.

DARPA wants creative concepts to solve complex catastrophes

DARPA is seeking innovative ideas that can advance the area of strategic collaboration, according to a RFI.

DHS report card reveals underperformance

DHS earned mostly average grades on its 2006 report card from the House Homeland Security Committee with special attention needed for improving employee morale and strengthening procurement oversight and financial reporting.

Top DOD official encourages use of veterans GWAC

Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Kenneth Krieg has issued a memo to the military branches and other DOD officials encouraging them to use the Veterans Technology Services contract.

Conference: Modest gains on acquisition reform not enough

Reps. Tom Davis (R-Va.) and Jim Moran (D-Va.) don't agree on too many issues. But both are in accord when it comes to the value of government contracting reform.

Challenges persist with TWIC program: GAO

TSA has improved its management of TWIC in the last six months, but problems remain, according to testimony this week by a senior executive with GAO.

DNI plan puts integration on fast track

The director of National Intelligence released a 100-day integration and collaboration plan this week to improve operations among the 16 government intelligence agencies he oversees.

Three companies win SmartBuy deals

Three companies have won blanket purchase agreements under GSA's SmartBuy program to sell a McAfee security package and related services to government agencies.

Proposal means small businesses learn the rules or suffer the cost

Small businesses may not be ready for the level of scrutiny headed their way under proposed reporting rules and the contracting accountability Web site.

Proposed rule would force subcontractor disclosures

A proposed new rule that would require contractors to reveal information about their subcontractors on some contracts is causing some companies to fear that their competitors will learn trade secrets.

State IG: Information security below par

Despite some improvements, the State Department still falls short in its information security efforts, a new report from Inspector General Howard J. Krongard said.

State false-claims acts merit increased caution

Government contractors are familiar with the federal False Claims Act. Many contractors are probably unaware, however, that some states also have their own false-claims acts, a number that is growing.

The debate on contractor responsibility flares anew

Congress appears poised to revisit the question of whether the government has adequate standards to ensure it only does business with responsible parties.