New GSA Administrator Johnson Sworn In

Martha Johnson ushered in a new era at the U.S. General Services Administration on February 16 during a live town hall at GSA headquarters in Washington, DC, that was also webcast to agency employees nationwide.

During the event, Johnson challenged GSA’s work force to stay focused on key initiatives, such as greening the government and putting Americans back to work. She took several questions from the audience as well as answered emailed questions from employees around the country.

Johnson is GSA’s first permanent administrator in more than two years. No stranger to the agency, she served as GSA Chief of Staff from 1997 to 2001.

Johnson was sworn in remotely during a crippling winter storm, and her Agency-wide objectives will highlight talent, innovation, customer intimacy, and cost-effectiveness.

VA Will Boost IT Infrastructure in 2010

“Despite the anticipated belt-tightening under the Obama administration, technology opportunities will emerge in FY2010,” according to Input, a company devoted to federal marketing and government business analysis. Input cited the Department of Veterans Affairs with the most potential for federal spending on IT products and services. It makes a good deal of sense, with the growth in VA claims from returning military personnel. There is no information available about how antiquated the current VA systems are. But, with the expected increase of use, the VA is projected to account for 20% of IT products and serves spending in 2010.

Stimulus and modernization dollars are expected to drive many federal purchases this year as well. The Department of Defense has some big procurement plans  for the Air Force’s Expeditionary Combat Support System in the tune of around $350 million. The Army’s Warfighter Information Network is earmarked at $1 Billion to develop and  install a Mobile, tactical communications system for delivering video, data, imagery, and voice services.

GSA Technology Procurement Director Retiring

Mary Powers-King, director of governmentwide acquisition contracts and Schedule 70 for GSA’s Integrated Technology Service will retire shortly after the New Year after 31 years of public service.

Powers-King came to GSA from the Department of Transportation where she oversaw a variety of high profile information technology programs. Some of the positions Powers-King held at DOT were an executive in the  Federal Aviation Administration, and Director of Information Technology and Deputy CIO at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

She joined GSA in 2007 as the Director of GWACs and IT Schedule Programs in the Integrated Technology Service. Powers-King has over 25 years of experience managing information technology programs in government. She is directly  responsible for around 4,700 IT Schedule 70 contracts that compile $16.4B in business volume in Fiscal Years 08-09.

GSA Receives Clean Audit Opinion

A clean audit opinion is an indication that the agency’s financial statements and accompanying notes are presented fairly in all material respects and conform to generally accepted accounting principles. It is also an indication that there are no material errors in the financial statements and accompanying notes, and is clean or free from material error.

GSA's Coleman Named Government CIO of the Year By Tech Council of Maryland

11/12/2009 GSA’s Coleman Named Government CIO of the Year By Tech Council of Maryland

Tennessee Valley Authority union joins larger engineers federation

Union will work to raise TVA debt ceiling in exchange for compromises on workers’ right to organize.

EPA: Video takedown order was about ethics, not content

Employees are not allowed to use their position and work at EPA to lend credibility to their personal opinions, officials say.

Senator demands answers on firing of AmeriCorps IG

Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, threatens to place holds on nominees if administration does not respond to questions about Gerald Walpin.

Procurement nominee stresses importance of building acquisition workforce

Daniel Gordon is a “broadly supported, uncontroversial nomination,” says Senate chairman.

Miscounting of stimulus jobs cuts two ways

Spending reports indicate that contract and grant recipients under- and over-counted jobs created and saved.