Government IT News For VARs — April 23, 2014
By Megan Williams, contributing writer
In this week’s news, the CMS is searching out small companies to replace Accenture to manage Healthcare.gov, the FBI Cyber Division releases hallmarks of a Heartbleed-enabled security breach, and the GSA is backing away from an emphasis on BYOD.
CMS Looking To Small Business For Upcoming Healthcare.gov Contract
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is looking for a replacement after Accenture’s one year contract to manage Healthcare.gov expires. The agency has released a sources sought notice asking small companied (revenues under $25 million) for information. According to ModernHealthcare, should a small company be chosen, Accenture would train the company over a 60 day period, and then the company would then be regarded as a subcontractor.
FBI Releases Heartbleed Hallmarks
The FBI Cyber Division has released 14 hallmarks that point to a Heartbleed enabled security breach. Nextgov reports that the agency hopes that all sectors will load the signatures into their intrusion detection systems to prevent further breaches.
The Defense Department Taps Vendors To Adapt Cloud Computing
According to Nextgov, the DoD is figuring out how to adapt Web-based collaboration tools into apps that can be accessed from any computer. As of January 2014, the program supported 16 apps and was screening 90 additional options. Over 1.6 million military users have access to the service. The department is currently partnering with vendors to complete the project.
Arizona Home to 237 Available Government Contracts
YumaNewsNow reports that the U.S. Federal Contractor Registration has released information indicating an increase in available federal government contracts in Arizona. The article also points out a high percentage of firms registered in SAM.gov have errors in their records, causing these vendors to miss out on contract opportunities. Companies interested in the Arizona-based projects can call (877) 252-2700, Ext. 1 to begin the registration process.
U.S. Air Force Partners With “America Makes” To Enhance Manufacturing
The Department of Defense announced that the Air Force Research Laboratory, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate (AFRL/RX) will be launching a public-private partnership called “America Makes, the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute,” based in Youngstown, OH. AFRL/RX was chosen as a leader of this initiative because of its history of managing the Defense-wide Manufacturing Science and Technology Program for the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Manufacturing, and Industrial Base Policy.
GSA Backing Away From BYOD
Workplace and organizational strategist at the General Services Administration (GSA), Tony Macri, in an article in FedTech Magazine, says BYOD is no longer a serious focus for the agency. The GSA has approached security and mobility in new ways, including implementing a “hoteling” model of office space sharing and addressing workplace mobility with a one-size-doesn’t-fit-all approach.
NASA Releasing More Code To The Public
FedTech Magazine has announced NASA will be releasing more of its code for use by the public. The catalog will include more than 1,000 projects and indicate how the code for each can be maintained. The release began on April 11, and is expected to provide opportunities for entrepreneurs and other interested parties.
For more news and insights, visit BSMinfo’s Government IT Resource Center.