Funding and Procurement News and Articles

Personal Computing: Pirates Among Us

Sep 24, 2009 - Lowering PC software piracy by 10 percentage points worldwide over four years would create 600,000 new jobs and $24 billion in higher government revenues.

Job Cuts, Budget Shortfalls Will Plague State and Local Governments in 2010, Report Says: Nov 20, 2009 - State and local budget problems will wreak havoc on public- and private-sector employment as well.
How to Procure a Portal, Texas Style (Opinion): Nov 19, 2009 - Texas' innovative procurement of an updated state portal.
Regional Permit Management System for Connecticut Cities and Towns: Nov 19, 2009 - By early 2010, the system will be deployed in eight Connecticut municipalities; many additional communities are already on track to join Phase 2.
Minnesota Launches On-Demand Technical Support Program: Nov 17, 2009 - "ASAP-IT" will quickly deliver expert IT solutions to state agencies at reduced cost.
Texas Releases Recommended Fixes for Data Center Consolidation: Nov 13, 2009 - Study commissioned by the Department of Information Resources cites bad morale, ineffective governance, data backup problems, among other issues -- and suggests Texas renegotiate its contract with IBM.
California Legislative Analyst's Office Suggests Change in Large-Project IT Procurement: Nov 12, 2009 - This competition is often referred to as a 'bake-off.'
How Fiscally Imperiled is Your State?: Nov 12, 2009 - An attempt to help understand why some states are suffering more acutely from the nation's economic crisis than others.
10,000 ARRA Transportation Projects Funded: Nov 12, 2009 - This winter, DOT will announce $8 billion in grants to launch high-speed rail in America.
HP to Acquire 3Com for $2.7 Billion: Nov 11, 2009 - Terms of the transaction have been approved by the HP and 3Com boards of directors.
DHS Launches Web Site With Resources for Veterans: Nov 10, 2009 - Includes business opportunities, guidance on adjusting to civilian employment and more.
Oakland County, Mich., Saves Money with Employee Cost-Reduction Blog: Nov 2, 2009 - CIO Phil Bertolini discusses Michigan county's budget savings.
Vermont Utilities Receive $69 Million for Smart Grid Rollout: Oct 28, 2009 - Smart grid projects will include a statewide fiber-optic build-out that enhances Vermont's grid, improves interconnections with surrounding states and Quebec, and facilitates statewide broadband.
Obama Announces $3.4 Billion for Smart Grid Projects: Oct 27, 2009 - Called the largest single energy-grid modernization investment in U.S. history.
Personal Computing: Going Smaller With Netbooks: Oct 23, 2009 - Compared with a year ago, netbook sales revenue grew a whopping 264 percent.
Houston Exploring Consolidation and Outsourcing Options: Oct 22, 2009 - Houston's IT consulting firm indicates likely interest in consolidation and outsourcing from the city.
Report: Solar Power Getting Cheaper: Oct 22, 2009 - Costs declined by more than 30 percent from 1998 to 2008, and fell by 4 percent in the last year.
IT Budgeting and Decision Making: Maximizing Your Government's Technology Investments: Oct 20, 2009 -
Audit Report Criticizes Massive Virginia IT Outsourcing Plan: Oct 14, 2009 - Vendor failed to plan appropriately, had poor grasp of agency needs, report claims.
Weekly Wrap: Calls Increase to Extend Economic Stimulus to Help States: Oct 9, 2009 - Talk of another federal economic stimulus package is gaining momentum largely because federal officials are beginning to realize that state governments will be worse off next year compared to the first two years of the recession.
State Broadband Mapping Grants Announced: Oct 7, 2009 - Grant Program to fund activities in California, Indiana, North Carolina and Vermont.