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The federal government could save tens of billions of dollars annually by eliminating duplicative and wasteful spending, according to a new Government Accountability Office report. And now GAO has an online dashboard to track agencies' response to these and other recommendations.
Anyone interested in the government's response to GAO recommendations on IT, for example, could visit the Action Tracker, check the box marked Information Technology and navigate to any of the five topic areas listed to see the government's progress. The new tool reveals that the Obama administration is acting on several GAO priorities with recommendations in its fiscal year 2014 budget, scheduled to be released on April 10.
The 2014 budget guidance from the Office of Management and Budget, cited by GAO, requires agencies to plan to consolidate duplicative or low-value IT investments. The GAO reports that, "with this updated guidance, federal agencies are now more likely to identify duplication across their IT portfolio and reduce or avoid IT costs across the agencies." Similarly, OMB adopted GAO's recommendations on the use of "IT investment categories" designed to help agencies identify duplicate and overlapping IT spending.
Action Tracker
GAO Report
Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), chairman of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee and a frequent critic of the administration, took note of this in an April 9 hearing devoted to the GAO report, crediting the Obama team for proposing $25 billion in savings through cuts and consolidations. The news of the cuts was first reported in USA Today on April 9.
The GAO report's section on duplicative IT spending called out a few overlaps in particular. The government spends billions of dollars a year on collecting and maintaining geospatial data, for example. The Federal Geographic Data Committee coordinates the collection and maintenance of geospatial data among agencies, but even with standards and coordination, the GAO found that resources are still being duplicated. The GAO had previously urged the Interior, Commerce, and Transportation departments to implement plans to streamline operations, but thus far the federal government has not acted.
The report also urges Congress to look at whether it makes fiscal sense to fund the Commerce Department's National Technical Information Service, which purchases and distributes technical information, given that much of the information is available for free. The savings there, however, is relatively minimal -- the NTIS runs an account deficit of about $1.3 million a year -- the difference between what it pays for information and collects in fees.
The section on revenue enhancement, meanwhile, calls out cloud adoption and strengthening oversight of IT spending on operations and maintenance as having the potential to yield billions in savings.
And at the hearing, Issa took the opportunity to cite his committee's recent passage of the Federal IT Acquisition Reform Act (FITARA) as a means to save the government money. "If we implement this and other harmonized programs we can save many dollars," Issa said.
About the Author
Adam Mazmanian is executive editor of FCW.
Before joining the editing team, Mazmanian was an FCW staff writer covering Congress, government-wide technology policy, health IT and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Prior to joining FCW, Mr. Mazmanian was technology correspondent for National Journal and served in a variety of editorial at B2B news service SmartBrief. Mazmanian started his career as an arts reporter and critic, and has contributed reviews and articles to the Washington Post, the Washington City Paper, Newsday, Architect magazine, and other publications. He was an editorial assistant and staff writer at the now-defunct New York Press and arts editor at the About.com online network in the 1990s, and was a weekly contributor of music and film reviews to the Washington Times from 2007 to 2014.
Click here for previous articles by Mazmanian. Connect with him on Twitter at @thisismaz.
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Steve Kelman contends that a recent report on agencies' prize challenges tells only half the success story.
OMB's Data Center Optimization Initiative gives agencies new metrics and goals for fiscal 2018.
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The latest version of the Defense Department-wide Enterprise Service Management Framework places more emphasis on managing IT risk.
Despite GSA's efforts to accelerate the FedRAMP approval process, the lack of agency reciprocity puts the program's central goals at risk.
Got some early-career colleagues who are doing great things in federal IT? Nominate them for FCW's 2016 Rising Star awards.
The agency software inventories required under the draft category management policy will be treasure maps that lead to efficient, effective, streamlined buying and unprecedented savings.
As experts warned of the "dire" threats posed by outdated federal technology, lawmakers grilled top feds, debated workforce issues and inched closer to backing a $3.1 billion fix-it fund.
The agency is making strides in developing and deploying border technologies but still has some weaknesses.
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Preview scale: 21.0 x 18.0 inches
I used photographs taken when traveling around Australia as inspiration for this scene. My aim was to explore the way key features of the landscape become silhouettes and the colors, especially those of distant hills, change in the early evening (when the heat dies and you can appreciate the scenery again).
Pencil on canvas, signed, color and gradients applied, basic repeat.
Fabric: designed for an 18" x 21" fat quarter (four to the yard for 42" wide fabrics) [150 ppi]. Quite fun as Wallpaper, where it looks like a picture gallery [262 ppi]. Gift wrap: 375 ppi - half-drop repeat.
What we do and how we do it.
Wallpaper Coverage Calculator
Based on the dimensions you provide, this calculator will determine the number of custom-length sections of paper you'll need to cover any surface. If the height of your surface varies, input the tallest dimension in order for the pattern to line up correctly.
Enter your dimensions in feet (1 foot is 30.48 cm).
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subset: commoncrawl


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My first post (long time lurker...)
First of all: Great software! PMS made my PS3 useful.
I'm running v1.10.51 on a i7 920 (not OC'ed ...yet) computer with 12 Gb RAM, 64-bits Windows 7 RC, 100 MBit cabled network all the way from PC -> Router -> PS3.
I've understood from other threads that an i7 920 should be more than enough for transcoding 1080p without stuttering. But it isn't, in my case. I've concluded that 100 Mbit cabled network isn't enough for stutter-less (is that even a word?) playback of 1080p material with the following quality setting: keyint=1:vqscale=1:vqmin=2 /* Best Quality */. (If I reduce it to keyint=3:vqscale=2:vqmin=3 /* Good quality */ everything is fine.)
I am going to upgrade the cables to 1 Gbit/Cat 5e in a few days, but I just started wondering: Is anyone else with a similar computer and network setup experiencing the same, or should 100 Mbit cabled network be sufficient with the best quality setting as long as the CPU can handle it?
I'm using Mencoder only (need subs), HT-version, and I've set a transcode buffer of 600 Mb, 4 cores, 6 channels 5.1 audio and DTS/FLAC -> LPCM enabled. Everything works, except for the mentioned stuttering of 1080p material which stutters only at the best quality setting.
Thanks for your thoughts on this.


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The FR-TLR01 from Batko is a computer & keyboard enclosure. It is the most versatile protection for your computer. The cabinet of FR-TLR01 can be secured to the ground and totally vented. The keyboard is securely locked when pushed inside the cabinet also CPU or DVR can safely be installed inside the box. Wiring cable entry "knockouts" are available on both sides. The FR-TLR01is available in black.
- Two access doors
- Top shelf area for monitor
- Mobile or fixed Work Station
Found a lower price? Complete this simple form:
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Chrysler Group announced on Friday that it will retain its Viper operations, ending a search for a buyer for the business.
"We're extremely proud that the ultimate American-built sports car with its world-class performance will live on as the iconic image leader of the Dodge brand," said Michael Accavitti, CEO of the Dodge division of Chrysler Group.
Chrysler had been seeking at least $10 million for its Viper operations since last August, as majority shareholder Cerberus Capital Management sought to sell off the automaker's assets to raise cash. By May 15, in the midst of bankruptcy, Chrysler had only received two offers, a $5.5-million bid from Devon Motor Works and an offer from a Polish group.
The Conner Avenue plant in Detroit that produces the Viper is currently shut down, despite being the first factory that resumed production once Chrysler Group was formed during the old Chrysler's bankruptcy proceedings. A Chrysler official said the plant would finish out the year making 2009 models, and switch to the 2010 model year in January. The plant will only come online when there is demand, the official said.
According to Automotive News, Chrysler built 1545 Dodge Vipers in 2008. So far this year, the automaker has produced just 118 Vipers. The plant did not make any cars in January, February, March, or May of this year.
Source: Automotive News


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Ona Ultimate Skincare offers a wide variety of skincare services, laser treatments and products. We are Nashville's skincare experts, specializing in facials, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, body contouring wraps, laser treatments, Botox, Juvéderm, waxing and Latisse. Click on the services below to learn more.
The Laser Genesis Procedure utilizes non-invasive laser technology to safely, discretely and effectively treat fine line wrinkles, large pores, uneven skin texture, diffuse redness and scars.
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A relaxing facial to meet your skin's specific needs. Includes deep cleansing, exfoliation, extractions, massage and a customized mask.
Located in Belle Meade, Ona Skincare offers expert skincare, and we specialize in advanced skin care, injectables, including Botox & Juvéderm, laser and wax hair removal, and additional laser & body treatments. Dr. Tarola, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon - Medical Director.
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This deal has ended.
Through 10/31, combine two promotions to get $20 off $50 at Golfballs.com. Enter our $10 off $50 coupon code on the shopping cart page, then pay via Google Checkout to get an additional $10 off $30 discount. Some best bets, before the discounts: Wilson SmartCore Distance Golfballs 12-Pack for $9.95, Wilson Fireball Driver for $34.95 and Ram EZ Out Wedge for $19.95.No longer available


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Warnings as major storm piles up the snow
Snow continues through the day and into Saturday morning
Winter Storm Warnings are posted for all except the Northeast Kingdom (where there is an advisory) as a major nor'easter is expected to bring up to a foot of snow to our region through Saturday.
The nor'easter takes over as the main storm. Heavy snowfall is possible in central and southern Vermont and New Hampshire in particular, with well over a foot possible.
Wind speeds will increase overnight into Saturday, but will not reach blizzard strength. This could cause power outages and blowing and drifting snow.
People planning on flying Saturday are urged to check with their airline, because many airlines are relaxing ticket-change policies.
Copyright 2013 by WPTZ All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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Beale Street Love
by Langston Hughes
Beale Street Love Power Quotes
How we cite our quotes: (Line)
Quote #1
Is a brown man's fist (1-2)
When love is described as a fist, it seems like it has physical power, and that power is a masculine one. It is a man's fist, after all. It appears this dude is totally in control.
Quote #2
With hard knuckles (3)
This is no weak fist. It has hard knuckles and has probably seen a fight or two before. The question is, do we think this fist is real? It has been described as a metaphor for love, but the more real qualities it gets, the more real it seems.
Quote #3
Crushing the lips,
Blackening the eyes (4-5)
These lines give us a clear demonstration of the exact physical effects that the power of love, and a man's fist, can have on a woman. It's the first moment in the poem where a physical power struggle becomes apparent. We can call this a metaphor all we want, but it's hard to deny that someone is getting punched here.


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Croda is a global company with operational locations specifically chosen to facilitate close customer working. We are constantly investing in our existing markets and expanding into emerging markets to give our customers the best, most responsive service.
Please click on a country to zoom in and click on the dots to view the office (pink) or manufacturing site (black) contact details.