Acquisition

• GSA puts cyber focus on control systems

  A draft policy obtained by Federal News Radio details new cybersecurity requirements for more than 1,500 buildings owned by GSA\'s Public Building Service. GSA wants to standardize how facility control systems connect to GSA\'s network. The document builds on work already being done under HSPD-12.

  Technology

  September 30, 2010
• GSA proposes new cyber standards at its buildings

  The General Services Administration is drafting new rules for improving cybersecurity. Federal News Radio\'s Jason Miller joined DorobekINSIDER with details and reaction to the policy.

  Technology

  September 29, 2010
• White House tries to stop counterfeits in DoD supplies

  The White House is trying to stop counterfeit supplies from entering the Defense Department\'s weapons systems, NextGov reports.

  Management

  September 29, 2010
• Japan Releases Chinese Fishing Boat Captain

  On September 24th, the Japanese Public Prosecutors Office released the Chinese fishing boat captain who had been in detention for ramming two Japanese patrol boats. Japan caved mostly because of Japanese business pressure. Chinese retaliation included postponing bilateral gas development talks, a halt to public and private exchanges, and the suspension of rare earth exports to Japan. This might be short term wise and long term foolish because it sets the precedent that Japan backed down from rightfully prosecuting a law breaker in Japanese claimed waters. The next incident will be more difficult to handle and the stakes will likely be higher.

  Management

  September 29, 2010
• Army fights contracting workforce attrition

  With attrition from retirement and other factors, the Army is faced with needing as many as 500 new contracting officials almost every year for the foreseeable future. We get details on the options for dealing with that from the Army\'s Edward Harrington.

  Federal Drive

  September 29, 2010
• DOE IG questions renewables office’s hiring, contracting

  The Department of Energy\'s inspector general said DOE\'s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy may have improperly hired a senior contract official and allowed officials to influence hiring by contractors, The New York Time reports.

  Management

  September 28, 2010
• Cyber Innovation Center launches in Maryland

  The CIC helps enable the delivery of cyber-risk solutions by providing a collaboration space dedicated to fusing the ideas, services and technologies required to address the nation\'s toughest cybersecurity challenges.

  Federal Drive

  September 28, 2010
• Importance of strategic information in today’s market

  This week, host Larry Allen speaks with Carrie Coogan, vice president of consulting for FedSources, about challenges confronting those entering the federal market. September 28, 2010

  Off the Shelf

  September 27, 2010
• Yemeni Forces Surround al Qaida Fighters in Rural Village

  International media have reported that Yemeni forces surrounded between 25 and 60 al Qaida fighters in a rural village. The surrounded militants rejected mediation efforts by local officials, setting conditions for security forces to besiege the militants in their hiding places. Later reporting indicated Yemeni forces attacked five houses in the village but found them empty. Up to 15,000 civilians have fled the fighting. The US is reported to be providing intelligence and advisory support because the US is determined to prevent al Qaida from exporting more terrorists from Yemen and from developing a base there. The impoverished Yemeni government welcomes the US aid.

  Management

  September 27, 2010
• Lawmakers ask White House to stop DHS financial system

  House Democrats went over the heads of Homeland Security Department officials and appealed to the White House to cancel a $1 billion financial management project, NextGov reports.

  Management

  September 27, 2010
• China Expands Use of Military Forces for Diplomacy and Stability

  Two recent developments exemplify China\'s expanding use of military forces in support of diplomacy and to maintain stability along borders. First, six Chinese aircraft launched long-range sudden attacks in Kazakhstan as part of ongoing simulated anti-terror exercises. On September 21st, it was reported that China approved the deployment of four military helicopters to Pakistan to assist in flood relief. The press reports are part of the public information program to test international reaction to China\'s having crossed another threshold as a responsible great power. The two developments spotlight China\'s near term strategic objective, which is dominance in Asia.

  Management

  September 27, 2010
• Defense contractors go all-in for incumbents

  In races in both the House and Senate, Democratic incumbents have found loyal supporters -- and big donors -- in defense contractors, Politico reports.

  Defense

  September 27, 2010
• Proposal would constrict use of certain contract types

  The FAR Council issues a proposed rule to require agencies to justify the use of time-and-materials and labor hours contracts for commercial services. GAO found that agencies didn\'t understand the rules for buying certain types of services.

  Congress

  September 27, 2010
• Virtualization: compare and contrast

  Host John Gilroy discusses the expansion of virtualization with Joe Brown, President, Accelera Solutions. September 28, 2010

  Federal Tech Talk

  September 27, 2010