Contracting

• 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
• Update on GSA’s SmartPay program

  Host Mark Amtower discusses the SmartPay program with David Shea, Director of the Office of Charge Card Management, Federal Acquisition Service, General Services Administration. September 27, 2010

  Amtower Off-Center

  September 27, 2010
• Army expands online training efforts

  The Army has been steadily increasing the amount of education and training it delivers online. Details from the Army\'s Phyllis Bailey

  Federal Drive

  September 27, 2010
• Lessons in innovation from the health care industry

  How can the health care industry improve services, reduce costs and expand access? Jim Champy offers ways to bring innovation to health care in his book \"Reengineering Health Care.\" Champy, chairman emeritus of Dell Services Consulting, told In Depth that the time is ripe to retool the current system.

  All News

  September 23, 2010
• Boeing to offer cybersecurity to Japan

  Touching on the Japan\'s need to improve preparedness to deal with cyber attacks, Boeing says that the ministry is placing more emphasis on cyber security.

  Federal Drive

  September 23, 2010
• Indonesia to Purchase More Fighter Jets from Russia

  The Indonesian government plans to order six more Russian-built fighter planes according to statements made by the country\'s air force Chief of Staff. Indonesia already has 10 of the aircraft, which are not enough to cover the country\'s airspace. Indonesia\'s acquisition of Russian weapons systems revives memories of the era when Indonesia had the largest navy and the most powerful air force in Southeast Asia, all provided by the Soviet Union. Indonesia retains many links to the US armed forces and has much US-supplied equipment. Having both US and Russian systems ensures something will be flyable irrespective of international political considerations.

  Management

  September 23, 2010
• GSA’s office supply contract causes concern

  The General Services Administration freezes Schedule 75 to new vendors shortly after awarding a new strategic sourcing contract for office supplies. Small businesses say the combination of the two could have a detrimental effect on their ability to sell to the government. GSA expects to save $52 million a year across government from the BPA\'s lower prices.

  Management

  September 23, 2010