Jason Miller covers civilian agencies in the federal government with a focus on technology and acquisition. He is also an executive editor at Federal News Radio. Jason's reports can be heard Monday - Friday on the Federal Drive and In Depth.

Senators tell DoJ to fix its suspension, debarment databases

Sens. Joseph Lieberman (I-Conn.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) want regular updates from Justice officials on the steps they are taking to better input and share information on vendors who have committed crimes. The DoJ IG found the agency's internal controls and training were lacking.

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OFPP trying to solve major vendor data inconsistency

The office asked for industry comment on how to get better data into the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System. OFPP asked for input on seven questions.

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Senators try compromise to get cyber bill passed

The revised Cybersecurity Act of 2012 removes DHS from having sole oversight authority of critical infrastructure and shares the responsibility across an interagency council. The bill also would make the implementation of cyber standards by critical infrastructure operators voluntary. The legislation encourages an incentive-based program.

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Perakslis moves FDA toward IT innovation, efficiencies

The CIO said he's using an agile approach to keep large programs on track and looking to the cloud to improve the agency's business processes.
Jul 19, 2012(Encore presentation August 27, 2012)

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Navy sharpens acquisition pencil to find savings

The service is taking a four-pronged approach to improve its procurement process and find savings. A review board looks at all acquisitions to make sure its strategy and contract formation are beneficial. Other agencies, like NASA and DHS, are consolidating more contracts into larger buys.

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GSA freezes hiring, suspends most SES bonuses

Acting Administrator Dan Tangherlini said GSA has at least 15 different bonus structures and there are questions about the agency's award rates. He said 85 percent of all SES performance awards are on hold in through 2013. GSA also will not hire new employees until a top-to-bottom review of the agency's organization is completed.

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DHS Blue Teams bear out agency compliance with cybersecurity rules

The agency turns to teams of experts to review how departments are meeting the Trusted Internet Connections (TIC) initiative. DHS plans to expand the use of Blue Teams to the implementation of continuous monitoring and two-factor authentication under Homeland Security Presidential Directive-12.

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OMB redoubles call for prompt payments to small subs

Acting Director Jeff Zients asks SBA and the FAR Council to create a proposed rule to change the acquisition regulations calling for prime contractors to pay small subcontractors more quickly.

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OMB to expand vendor offices after initial successful tests

The Veterans Affairs Department said it saved $40 million by using this centralized approach to managing contractors. vendor management organizations also help agencies buy more strategically. OFPP plans to expand strategic sourcing and sets a $2 billion savings goal by 2015.

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DHS teams hunt for weaknesses in federal cyber networks

The Federal Network Security branch is performing Red and Blue teaming exercises to expose the soft spaces in agency networks and harden them. DHS has conducted five Red Teams and 28 Blue Team exercises in 2012. Federal CIOs and CISOs must request the Red Teams to analyze their networks. The agency receives a report on the biggest risks it faces.

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GAT Board to finish testing spending oversight tools this summer

In its second report to the President, the Government Accountability and Transparency Board updates progress on several pilots to implement three broad-based recommendations. DoD and HHS are reviewing how best to standardize spending data. OMB is developing a Statement of Spending to provide more transparency into how agencies spend their funds.

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NIST adds mobile flavor to revised draft HSPD-12 guidance

The agency will hold a workshop July 25 to review the second draft of FIPS 201-2.

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Number of federal teleworkers hits all-time high

OPM sends Congress 2011 report on number of employees teleworking. This is the first report since the Telework Enhancement Act of 2010 became law. PTO, GSA, HHS, Education and Treasury are among the leaders in percentage of eligible employees working outside the office.

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GSA readying phase 2 of print management strategic sourcing BPA

The agency released a request for information last month detailing copier and print managed services requirements. GSA awarded a strategic sourcing contract to 11 vendors in September for basic print management services under the Federal Strategic Sourcing Initiative.

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USPS fighting back against the insider threat

The Postal Service's E-Access system helps control employee access to systems and data. The single sign-on environment lets managers and database owners assign privileges to employees based on need.

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In 2011, small federal contractors took it on the chin twice as hard

SBA released data today that showed the amount of total dollars going to small firms is down as are the overall percentage of contracts small businesses won in 2011. Agencies made only one governmentwide goal for SDBs last year.

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OMB tells CFOs to run SAVE Award ideas by broader audience

The administration will kick off the 2012 program to find money-saving ideas in a few weeks. Agencies will get to vote on a final list of ideas in the next few months.

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DHS' Coose leaving for the private sector

The director of the Federal Network Security Branch becomes the fifth senior-level official to leave in more than a year. Danny Toler will assume his responsibilities at least in the interim.

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FedBizOpps.gov contractor under FBI investigation

The government is investigating allegations against Symplicity Corp. for allegedly accessing without permission the internal networks of two competitors in the education sector. Symplicity, which runs three governmentwide websites, denies any wrongdoing and calls the government's search warrant a one-sided justification for the investigation. Experts say the company could face suspension from new federal procurements.

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DHS hones dynamic approach to securing agency computer networks

Homeland Security releases policy and guidance on how departments and vendors will implement continuous monitoring and get away from static reports on the cyber health of their systems. DHS is hoping Congress approves a $200 million funding request to buy five different commercial cyber tools, a dashboard and a security data warehouse in 2013.

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