Defense Department
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A forthcoming Pentagon plan will let military departments chart their cloud procurement strategies, as long as they provide detailed data to the Pentagon and each other.
September 24, 2014 -
The Pentagon is looking at the relationship between its prime contractors and their subcontractors. That relationship has generated some controversy, especially in the area of private military security companies. Ann Hagedorn is author of The Invisible Soldiers: How American Outsourced Our Security. Her book focuses on the pros and cons of those companies and how the government buys their services. On In Depth with Francis Rose, she shared the story of Kadhim Alkanani.
September 23, 2014 -
A contracting loophole denies small businesses the chance to land subcontracting opportunities with the Defense Department. The Comprehensive Subcontracting Plan Test Program removes the requirement for prime DoD contractors to report their small business subcontracting plans. That leaves them without an incentive to meet their small business goals. Charles Tiefer is a law professor and contracting expert from the University of Baltimore. On In Depth with Francis Rose, he said it's time to end the 25-year old test program.
September 22, 2014 -
The latest blueprint to improve DoD's acquisition process will try to help the military achieve game-changing end products and spend less time on the business end of the acquisition system. Frank Kendall, the undersecretary of Defense for acquisition, technology and logistics, said the strategy remains in draft form while DoD gathers feedback from a variety of experts.
September 22, 2014 -
After two years of planning and pilot programs, the intelligence community says its plan to integrate the IT systems of its 17 agencies is moving forward toward large-scale adoption.
September 19, 2014 -
The Army and Air Force are using a shared network security infrastructure at Joint Base San Antonio as of Sept. 14. It's a major step toward the Defense Department's goal of moving base-level cybersecurity operations to a more defensible, centrally-managed architecture.
September 18, 2014 -
On this week's show, a deep dive into military personnel management within the Navy. Our guest for the full hour is Vice Adm. Bill Moran, the Chief of Naval Personnel.
September 17, 2014 -
After eight months on the job, Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James tells Federal Drive with Tom Temin that even though the service is in good shape, it still faces uncertainty around its budget, overseas operations and readiness.
September 17, 2014 -
Former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates called diplomacy and development "soft power" that could be a powerful force multiplier for the military. Experts on all sides of the debate agree with that assessment, and they are writing about how to use that soft power to the advantage of the United States. Gen. Tony Zinni is former commander in chief of CENTCOM, and former special envoy to the Middle East. His new book is Before the First Shots are Fired: How America Can Win or Lose Off the Battlefield. On In Depth with Francis Rose, he explained the integration of military, diplomatic, and developmental operations.
September 17, 2014 -
The Defense Department Education Activity, or DODEA, is probably the most widely spread-out school disctrict in the world. It educates more than a million children of service members each year, all over the globe. On the job since March, DODEA director Tom Brady has completed a 100 day analysis of his school system. He joined Tom Temin on the Federal Drive to explain what he's found and what he hopes to do.
September 17, 2014 -
The Air Force can't afford the programs it thinks it will need over the next decade. The service's top officer says it's time to reexamine priorities, with a realistic view of the funding it will get from Congress.
September 17, 2014 -
The Army is making strides in professionalizing its cyber workforce. Last week, the service announced a new cyber brigade with the mission of defending its computer networks. The new branch could be up and running by October. Federal News Radio's Jared Serbu spoke to Emily Kopp about his Inside the DoD Reporter's Notebook.
September 16, 2014 -
On this week's edition of On DoD, we get a preview of the forthcoming Army Training Information System (ATIS).
September 15, 2014 -
Airmen of the Year represent the best of the Air Force. Maj. Johan Lee is a space operator and flight commander for the Air Force Reserve who watches for problems that could develop anywhere on earth. He's being recognized along with his employer Booz Allen. Lee joined Federal Drive host Tom Temin at this year's Air Force Association conference and expo at National Harbor.
September 14, 2014 -
If you like things that fly fast and zoom through space, the annual Air Force Association conference and exposition is the place to be. It's also the place to catch the technology and policy trends for the Air Force. Retired Gen. Craig McKinley is president of the Air Force Association. He joined Federal Drive host Tom Temin talk about this year's conference.
September 14, 2014