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.

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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Congress running out of time to pass priority bills

Lawmakers have about 23 real work days left before the end of the fiscal year to pass USPS reform, comprehensive cyber, DoD authorization and all the 2013 spending bills. Experts hold out little hope even after the passage of the FDA bill and the expected approval of the highway legislation.

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GSA, DISA face protests of billion dollar awards

CWTSatoTravel objected to the $1.4 billion E- Travel award going to Concur Technologies. SAIC protested DISA's $4.6 billion award for the Global Information Grid management services to Lockheed Martin. Both protestors are the incumbent contractors.

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Lockheed exec gives vendor, government communications high marks

Linda Gooden, the executive vice president of the aerospace and technology giant's information systems and global solutions business area, said agencies are spending more time than ever helping contractors understand their needs. Gooden and Lockheed CEO Robert Stevens' statements are in stark contrast to comments made by a major competitor about the challenges companies face in talking to agencies.

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DHS hires DoD expert to coordinate interagency cyber efforts

Rosemary Wenchel is the new deputy assistant secretary for cybersecurity coordination at DHS. She replaces Adm. Mike Brown, who retired in January.

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USAID plans to rebound from dramatic drop in cybersecurity scores

The U.S. Agency for International Development saw their FISMA scores drop to an F grade. Jerry Horton, USAID's chief information officer, said they will fix their shortcomings this year.
June 21, 2012

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Agencies struggle to grasp mobile cybersecurity

NIST, DHS experts say protecting smartphones and tablets shouldn't be any different than securing typical desktop or laptop computers. DHS will release mobile security reference architecture to help agencies understand common concepts. NIST is updating security control guide with 250 new requirements, including mobile controls.

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Energy gets new CIO, loses CHCO to retirement

Secretary Steven Chu announced several leadership changes, including naming Robert Brese as the department's new chief information officer.

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Lockheed CEO warns of increased government costs from sequestration

The largest federal contractor is struggling to prepare for about $1 trillion in cuts that are due to take effect in January. Retiring-CEO Robert Stevens said agencies will ask vendors to modify contracts and that in turn will drive up the costs of those programs. Lockheed Martin already is taking steps to reduce its spending by consolidating facilities and reducing staff.

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