The Homeland Security Department has picked 17 companies to implement the Obama administration’s new approach to securing federal computers and networks. The awards under the Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation contract include hardware, software and services. Agencies are hungry for the contract, but the reasons are more than just improving network security. John Streufert is the director of network resilience at DHS. He tells Federal News Radio’s Executive Editor Jason Miller about the $6 billion contract and how many agencies are signed on to use the DHS contract.

The Army Corps of Engineers says it’s worried about the future of hiring and retaining enough people with science, technology, engineering and math skills. Federal News Radio’s Jared Serbu has more on the agency’s concerns, and some early efforts to do something about the problem.

It seems like only yesterday that mobile computing meant a Palm Trio. Then the BlackBerry hit the market. For feds, the crackberry on the hip became as common as the ID card on a chain around the neck. Now the company that makes BlackBerries could put itself up for sale. For insight, Tom and Emily turned to Tom Suder, the founder of MobileGov.

It’s hurry up and wait for Defense Department civilian employees who are appealing their furlough to the Merit Systems Protection Board. The Board says its received more than 30,000 appeals, an unprecedented number and nearly all from DoD employees. The Board says it is not processing any of them until staff have a better understanding of the claims raised. For outside perspective, Tom and Emily talked to Lynne Bernabei. She’s an employment and civil rights lawyer with the firm Bernabei & Watchel.

The nation’s fresh water delivery system might be one of the wonders of the modern world. Whether you’re high in a New York skyscraper, encountering a bubbler on a remote trail or pulling into a small town diner, you don’t hesitate to take a sip of tap water. But a pattern of water main breaks is one clue that the infrastructure is aging. Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) wants the federal government to do something about it.