Tag Archives: DHS

Federal Government Contracting for Fiscal Year 2018 (infographic)

Posted on May 28, 2019 by WatchBlog

With tax season over, now is a good time to look at how the government uses your tax dollars. About 40% of the government’s discretionary spending goes to contracts for goods and services covering everything from health care to hand … Continue reading →

Image | Posted on May 28, 2019 by WatchBlog | Tagged Bill Woods, budget, CNSA, competitive bids, contracting, defense spending, Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, DHS, DOD, federal spending, government contracting, high risk list, NASA, small business

GAO’s Contracting and National Security Acquisitions Team

Posted on October 30, 2018 by WatchBlog

GAO’s workforce is organized largely by subject area, with most employees working in 1 of 14 mission teams, many of which we have highlighted on the WatchBlog. Today we’ll be putting the spotlight on the Contracting and National Security Acquisitions (CNSA) … Continue reading →

Image | Posted on October 30, 2018 by WatchBlog | Tagged acquisition, CNSA, Contracting and National Security Acquisitions, DHS, DOD, federal contracts, Michele Mackin, NASA

DHS Cybersecurity Workforce

Posted on September 10, 2018 by WatchBlog

Secure federal computer systems depend on the federal and contractor workforce who design, develop, implement, secure, maintain, and use them. But the federal government faces a persistent shortage of workers trained in cybersecurity and information technology. The Department of Homeland … Continue reading →

Image | Posted on September 10, 2018 by WatchBlog | Tagged cybersecurity, Department of Homeland Security, DHS, Greg Wilshusen, IT, workforce

Our Annual “Quick Look” at Homeland Security’s Major Acquisitions

Posted on August 21, 2018 by WatchBlog

To help it carry out its many missions, which include preventing terrorism and managing U.S. borders, the Department of Homeland Security makes major purchases like ships, air passenger screening equipment, and IT. In fact, DHS estimates it will invest more … Continue reading →

Image | Posted on August 21, 2018 by WatchBlog | Tagged acquisition, CNSA, DHS, Marie Mak, quick look

Podcast Roundup – Podcasts You May Have Missed

Posted on May 22, 2017 by WatchBlog

We’ve been busy podcasting! If you’re not subscribed on iTunes or our RSS feed, you may be missing out. Today’s WatchBlog catches you up on some of our recent podcasts.

Image | Posted on May 22, 2017 by WatchBlog | Tagged Alicia Puente Cackley, ASM, Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, DHS, DOD, F-35, FMCI, HSJ, Mike Sullivan, National Flood Insurance Program, NFIP, Rebecca Gambler

If Disaster Strikes, How Is DOD Prepared to Help?

Posted on February 28, 2017 by WatchBlog

When disasters strike, the Department of Defense, including the National Guard, must be prepared to respond quickly to support civil authorities—such as state and local agencies, and the Departments of Homeland Security and Health and Human Services. DOD can provide … Continue reading →

Image | Posted on February 28, 2017 by WatchBlog | Tagged DCM, Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, DHS, disaster preparedness, disaster response, DOD, HHS, homeland security, Joe Kirschbaum, National Guard, pandemic response

Zika Virus Prevention and Response (infographic)

Posted on December 15, 2016 by WatchBlog

The Zika virus can cause symptoms including fever, rash, and joint pain. It has recently been linked to microcephaly in newborn babies and is possibly linked to Guillain-Barré syndrome in adults. The disease first started in the tropics, then individual … Continue reading →

Image | Posted on December 15, 2016 by WatchBlog | Tagged cases, CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, communication, Department of Defense, Department of Health and Human Services, development, DHS, DOD, Environmental Protection Agency, epa, eradication, Guillain-Barre, HC, HHS, homeland security, insecticide, map, medical countermeasures, microcephaly, mosquito, National Institutes of Health, NIH, preparedness, prevention, research, response, sexual contact, symptoms, territories, transmission, travel, vaccine, West Nile, Zika, Zika virus

Electromagnetic Risks to the Nation’s Electric Grid (podcast)

Posted on April 29, 2016 by WatchBlog

A world without electricity sounds like the setting of a summer blockbuster, but electromagnetic events could pose real risks to the national power grid. These risks can be the result of a man-made explosion high above the ground creating an … Continue reading →

Image | Posted on April 29, 2016 by WatchBlog | Tagged Chris Currie, Department of Energy, Department of Homeland Security, DHS, DOE, EMP, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, FERC, GMD, HSJ, National Infrastructure Protection Plan, nuclear, power grid

More Scrutiny on Administrative Leave

Posted on April 11, 2016 by WatchBlog

This is a time of year when people may take time off to spend spring break with family or visit the cherry blossoms in the nation’s capital. But not all time off—or, in fed speak, “leave”—is for a vacation, or … Continue reading →

Image | Posted on April 11, 2016 by WatchBlog | Tagged admin leave, Department of Homeland Security, DHS, feds, government workers, HSJ, personnel actions, SI

Our 2016 “Quick Looks” at DOD, NASA, and DHS

Posted on April 5, 2016 by WatchBlog

Every year, we review the federal government’s priciest and therefore riskiest acquisition programs through our “Quick Looks.” The 3 agencies we focus on are the Department of Defense, NASA, and Department of Homeland Security. While these agencies have very different … Continue reading →

Image | Posted on April 5, 2016 by WatchBlog | Tagged acquisition, ASM, best practices, DHS, DOD, NASA, quick looks