Defense Systems
U.S. would lose a cyber war, former intell chief warns
The country needs to make a national commitment to securing cyberspace before a catastropic attack occurs.
Defense Systems
After Murtha: Vacancy on critical House defense panel opens way for new leader
John Murtha will be remembered for his long government service, military career and a love of earmarks that sometimes put him in hot water.
Defense Systems
Microsoft to Congress: Time to seed cloud computing
Privacy, security, and international sovereignty issues need congressional attention, says Brad Smith, senior Microsoft executive.
Defense Systems
Senate bill would kill DOD performance pay, curtail sole-source contracts
The act would end the government's pay-for-performance system used for about 200,000 federal employees.
Defense Systems
DOD’s pay-for-performance system may be near end
Labor unions have criticized the program for years.
Defense Systems
GAO finds DOD contractors have made progress on ethics
Some Defense Department contractors and DOD itself have made progress with ethics programs, but improvements are still needed, GAO reports.
Defense Systems
DOD needs better process improvement management
The Defense Department isn't meeting all of its statutory requirements for improving processes related to the development, acquisition, and engineering of software and systems, investigators find.
Defense Systems
Reform bill could kill contractors' acquisition expertise
Defense companies are planning to sell some of their subsidiaries so they don’t contravene the new acquisition reform legislation passed by Congress that bars contractors from owning companies that advise the government on acquisitions.
Defense Systems
Myers to head Defense Threat Reduction Agency
Kenneth A. Myers III has been selected to serve as the director of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency at Fort Belvoir, the Defense Department announced July 27.
Defense Systems
Senate passes Defense Authorization Act with new provision
The legislation would remove the “shall” in the law that some say gives small businesses in economically depressed areas first preference in contract set-asides.
Defense Systems
New bill blocks fees for vendors at fault for a fed's injury
The House passed the defense authorization bill June 25 by a vote of 389-22.
Defense Systems
New legislation would enforce defense acquisition reform
The fiscal 2010 National Defense Authorization Act seeks greater oversight of services and speedier ways to buy information technology.
Defense Systems
Coast Guard plans to create new command structure
To fully carry out its modernization plans — including a new command structure for IT — the Coast Guard must obtain additional authorization from Congress, GAO says.
Defense Systems
Group questions drop in defense fraud cases
Despite a boom in defense contracting under the Bush administration, the number of fraud and corruption cases initiated by government investigators dropped substantially, according to the Center for Public Integrity.
Defense Systems
Gates still against splitting tanker deal
A key lawmaker’s proposal to divide the program to replace the U.S. military’s aging fleet of in-air refueling tankers was met by opposition at the Pentagon, reports Agence France-Press.
Defense Systems
GAO: Big ticket programs face cost overruns
The General Accountability Office has singled out the Pentagon’s Future Combat Systems and Joint Strike Fighter as programs in which costs might be running well beyond initial estimates.
Defense Systems
Gates to spearhead acquisition reform effort
The White House plans to put Defense Secretary Robert Gates in charge of crafting a plan that would overhaul the defense acquisition process.
Defense Systems
Senate bill would take aim at cost overruns
Sen. Carl Levin plans to introduce a bill that would require a defense contract to be re-examined if it should run more than 25 percent over its initial estimate.
Defense Systems
Senate confirms Lynn as Deputy Secretary
The Senate confirmed William Lynn as the new deputy secretary of defense Feb. 11 by an overwhelming vote.
Defense Systems