Yearly Archives: 2012

Time versus Money: Taxpayers Take a Bath Again

A recent disturbing story about facilities management by the General Services Administration (GSA) in Chattanooga is a perfect template for how poor (or little) acquisition planning, combined with inadequate market research, creates an environment where questionable acquisition strategy decisions are created. The result is a typical one, where sole-source contracts are created at prices thatRead… Read more »

Building a Secure Cyber Future: Attacks on Estonia, Five Years On

On Wednesday, May 23, the Atlantic Council will present another premiere event as part of the Cyber Statecraft Initiative. The conference, “Building a Secure Cyber Future: Attacks on Estonia, Five Years On,” will be at the Madison Hotel at 1177 Fifteenth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005 from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm. I’ll be attending,Read… Read more »

NGEN Cost Estimates Halved, Alleged Iranian NASA Hack, and More

Here is today’s federal cybersecurity and information technology news: The Navy has reduced it’s estimated cost for the Next-Generation Enterprise Network in roughly half to between $4.5 and $5.398 billion over five years. More here. NASA is investigating allegations that a team of Iranian hackers compromised its Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificate. More here. TheRead… Read more »

Using Evidence and Evaluation to Govern

OMB released new guidance supporting the use of evidence and evaluation in making budget trade-off decisions. The guidance reflects a high degree of sophistication on how to do this in a budget-constrained environment. The Office of Management and Budget issued new guidance to agencies encouraging them to use program evaluation and evidence-based decisions when developingRead… Read more »

Digital Communication Best Practices Guide Now Available

GovDelivery just released a new guide – Public Sector Digital Communication Management Best Practices: The Critical Role of Email – that details tips and strategies culled from more than 500 state, local, federal and international government organizations. Government Technology recently ran an articlewith some strategies from this guide. With all the buzz around social media,Read… Read more »

GovBytes: Surviving austerity – 4 tips to cope with the times

Doing more with less. I’ll bet that’s a phrase you’ve heard before, and have probably become skeptical of. As a matter of fact, in response to a recent GovLoop survey, most of you responded that being asked to do more with less is your biggest challenge. On Government Technology, GovLoop president Steve Ressler gave aRead… Read more »

TSA destined to fail? Insights from former administrator Kip Hawley and why workplace culture is essential





 On today’s program for Monday May 21st, 2012
 The TSA is up against an almost impossible task — protecting more than 2 million travelers each day — but are they up for the task? We talk to the former TSA administrator Kip Hawley. To get the best talent — you need to match google,Read… Read more »

Calling all Space Explorers!

The founder of The Federation of Galaxy Explorers (FOGE) Nick Eftimiades just dropped us a note about his organization and its annual event. We would love to see everyone who is interested in supporting a wonderful cause come to celebrate the work this organization is doing for the youth of today. On June 2nd, FOGERead… Read more »

Is TSA mission impossible? Insights from their former administrator Kip Hawley

Since 2001 the Transportation Security Administration has had an almost impossible job — protect the 2 million people who fly in an out of US airports.
 But how effective is this beleaguered agency, and is it really keeping us safe from terrorism?
 Kip Hawley is the former TSA administrator and the author of a newRead… Read more »

Efficient Construction Project Delivery Methods, BIM, and Cost Estimating

BIM Construction Cost Estimating – Top Ten List First and foremost BIM is the life-cycle management of the built environment supported by digital technology. While the industry is currently fixated upon 3D visualization tools, aka Revit, Archicad, Bentely… they only represent optional components of a BIM solution. Construction cost estimating, and robust, proven project deliveryRead… Read more »