Wednesday, August 17, 2005

WHAT'S NEW?

  "RSS"-Fast Access to Fast-Breaking News & Information

Add a new acronym-"RSS"-to your computing vocabulary. It stands for "Really Simple Syndication." RSS collects headlines, news summaries, and links for current stories or information on topics or websites you have designated. RSS feeds a listing of newly available information from these sources directly to your computer. From the listings, you pick which topics or sites you want to link to for the full story or more detailed information. RSS is more efficient than browsing and searching for new information or receiving updates via multiple email notifications.

Although RSS feeds are relatively new, FirstGov.gov has already created a government RSS Library. The new Library provides a central and easily accessible place to find an ever-increasing number of government RSS feeds on a variety of topics. Visit the U.S. Government RSS Library and select news from a dozen agencies: http://www.firstgov.gov/Topics/Reference_Shelf/Libraries/RSS_Library.shtml

RSS feeds require an RSS Reader (or Aggregator), downloadable on FirstGov.gov (mostly for free). Use the link above or search for "RSS" on www.FirstGov.gov for additional RSS information. You can use your RSS Reader to sign up for non-government news, too. Many major news sources have an RSS clickable icon on their homepages. Look for more RSS icons on websites in the months ahead.

For more information, contact Joanne McGovern at joanne.mcgovern@gsa.gov.

  Coming Soon: A New FirstGov.gov Search Engine

Citizens seeking government information and services will soon have a significantly better chance of finding what they're looking for--and not just from the federal government. By February 2006, FirstGov.gov will have deployed a new search engine capable of searching state, local, tribal, and territorial government websites, as well as a much more comprehensive index of federal government information.

But that's not all. FirstGov.gov will be phasing in the capability to search for Images and News from government websites--features already available through commercial search engines. The News search will include press releases, briefings, and news feeds from official government sources. All these search capabilities will be integrated; the search for a particular topic or government official will yield relevant web results, the latest official news, and images (if applicable and available) through a single search.

Future FirstGov.gov enhancements will make it even easier for citizens to find what they're looking for. Popular search queries will generate a group of "Spotlight" results-recommended web content, plus related links such as news headlines, profiles of people connected with a topic, agency services or programs, etc. FirstGov.gov will also make the Spotlight results available to agencies so they can highlight them in their own search engines.

The current FirstGov.gov search engine produces results from only a few thousand popular federal websites. The new search engine is expected to make FirstGov.gov the premier, comprehensive, one-stop, authoritative source for official information at all levels of government. Watch for an announcement of the official launch in FirstGov.gov BUZZ.

For more information, contact Bob Keating at robert.keating@gsa.gov.

NEWS TO YOU…

  Reminder: December 2005 OMB Deadline for Federal Agency Websites. FirstGov.gov Can Help.

It's later than you think! December 31, 2005, is the deadline for federal agencies to comply with requirements of the Policies for Federal Agency Public Websites, issued by the Office of Management & Budget (OMB) on December 17, 2004. The requirements are intended to facilitate citizen access to online public information provided by the federal government.

Not sure if your site meets OMB requirements? Need guidance in implementing a required item? Look to FirstGov.gov for assistance. A wealth of information awaits at www.webcontent.gov, a site hosted by FirstGov.gov. In addition to a link to the policies themselves, you can find specific guidance on how to implement most requirements. Assistance includes suggested best practices, links to federal government sites that are good examples of a particular requirement and, in some cases, templates you can use to help present that type of information on your own site.

Need more detailed assistance? The Web Content Managers Workshop on September 21 and 22 in Washington, DC, includes a session on "Meeting the OMB Deadline." Space is limited. Registration is required.

For more information, contact Sheila Campbell at sheila.campbell@gsa.gov.

  USA Services Works With HHS to Assist Human Trafficking Victims

On June 9, 2005, GSA's USA Services program awarded a task order to Aspen Systems to manage a multi-channel contact center for the Human Trafficking in Persons Program of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The new "Trafficking Information and Referral Hotline" can assist trafficking victims in obtaining federal benefits and services, as well as educate the public about human trafficking. Hotline agents are proficient in English and Spanish, but Aspen will also be able to respond to inquiries received in Chinese, Vietnamese, and Russian. The hotline became operational in July 2005 and is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to respond to telephone and email inquiries.

This task order is the third awarded by USA Services under the "FirstContact" contract. This contract supports USA Services mission of improving government services to citizens by giving federal agencies a quick and easy procurement vehicle to acquire contact services and solutions. The Aspen task order is for one year, with provisions for three additional, consecutive, one-year options.

For more information, contact Stuart Willoughby at stuart.willoughby@gsa.gov.

QUICK VIEWS

  GSA Hosts United Kingdom CIO

In June 2005, GSA's Office of Intergovernmental Solutions (OIS) hosted a visit to Washington by the head of the United Kingdom's egovernment unit, Ian Watmore. As head of the egovernment unit of the UK's Cabinet Office, he is the British Chief Information Officer. GSA arranged meetings for him with OMB's Administrator for Electronic Government and Information Technology, Karen Evans, and other top U.S. information technology officials.

For more information, contact Darlene Meskell at darlene.meskell@gsa.gov.

  Improving Citizen Services Governmentwide

The 35-member Citizen Service Level Interagency Committee (C-SLIC) was convened by the USA Services egovernment initiative and is meeting regularly to identify ways to make the federal government more citizen-centric. The Committee is looking at ways to improve five citizen contact channels--telephone, email, future technologies, cross-channel contacts, and walk-in traffic. The Committee expects to recommend governmentwide performance levels and best practices for customer service by the end of FY05. Recommendations may include suggested hold-times for citizen telephone calls and response times for email communications.

For more information, contact Karen Trebon at karen.trebon@gsa.gov.

WHAT TO DO

  Upcoming E-Government Events

Western CIO Forum
The Forum is a yearly event hosted by the Western Information Technology Council with the cooperation of the Western Governor's Association, University of North Dakota, and sponsorship from private industry. 8/21/05 - 08/23/05, Rapid City, SD

SecureGOV 2005
SecureGOV 2005 is an executive-level forum created specifically for CIOs, CTOs and Senior Security Officials from government agencies. 09/18/05 - 09/20/05, The Homestead Resort, Hot Springs, VA

IDEAS 2005
IDEAS 2005 is a two-day educational conference and showcase focusing on the critical Section 508 and Section 504 Education, Policy, and Technology initiatives facing the government community. 09/28/05 - 09/29/05, Washington Convention Center, Washington, DC

WHO'S WHO - CIO Spotlight

  Daniel Matthews, Department of Transportation

Daniel Matthews is Chief Information Officer at the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), an agency with almost 60,000 employees, a $61.6 billion budget, and an enormous mission.

Matthews is Secretary Norman Y. Mineta's principal advisor on matters involving information resources and information services management. As such, he manages and utilizes DOT's IT resources to help the agency achieve its mission, goals, and program objectives.

DOT invests more than $2.5 billion each year on information technology to help carry out its mission and programs. "Our investment in information technology is growing every day as we work to create a transportation system that is safe and sustainable," Matthews said.

Asked his top priorities for 2005 and beyond, Matthews cited: "Maintaining security integrity and improving the cost effectiveness of current DOT information technology resources, while focusing well-planned and managed IT investments for the future."

Matthews is also leading and directing the IT infrastructure consolidation and design for DOT's new headquarters building. "Consolidating multiple DOT Operating Administration IT infrastructures into a single departmental infrastructure will be both challenging and rewarding as we all work toward the goal of building an environment that works together and where IT can add value while transforming and supporting program operations, thus saving significant IT dollars," he said.

Matthews also oversees an agreement between DOT and the U.S. General Services Administration's (GSA) USA Services. The agreement allows DOT & GSA to work together on a project whereby citizen telephone calls and emails that are misdirected to DOT will be re-directed to the federal government agency or department best suited to respond efficiently, effectively, and quickly to customers.

Before joining DOT, Matthews served as senior vice president at Savantage Financial Services. At Savantage, he was responsible for efforts to modernize the financial management systems of several federal agencies. Before that, he spent 17 years at Lockheed Martin and its predecessor, Martin Marietta, rising to the position of vice president. His mission was to lead 1,200 employees in all aspects of the company's IT efforts and business development activities.

Matthews, an Air Force veteran, who worked in logistics and computers during his service from 1971-1975, holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Kent State and a Master of Science in business administration from Strayer University.

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