Grant recipients (both pass-through entities and subrecipients) may want to take note of an interesting item in OMB’s recent guidance on implementation of the Improper Payments Elimination and Recovery Act (PL 111-204). OMB says that for grant programs, agencies must consider payment recapture audits at the grant recipient level. “Federal agencies should work with stateRead… Read more »
Researchers at Columbia University have developed an artificial tree. Why would we want artificial trees? Well, these trees can absorb CO2 about 1,000 times faster than natural trees, and will store it in its “leaves” until it is processed. Of course this prompts the question, “what’s the correct level of CO2 for the atmosphere?” ButRead… Read more »
Think about what inspires you. We probably all have a mental checklist: intelligence, discipline, perseverance, vision, compassion, etc. But what about “momentum”? By momentum, I mean the combination of physical and intangible inertia that you generate throughout the day. There are certain people that seem to always be driving forward. Their presence makes you sitRead… Read more »
The phrase “letting go” has long been a vital part of my stress management overview, especially related to breaking the “erosive spiral” of that all-consuming “b”-word. (When it comes to stress, actually, a number of emotionally charged “b” words jump to mind, for example, “botox,” or when you have a BMW colleague, which I recentlyRead… Read more »
Washington’s Capital Bikeshare (DC) is launching Reverse Rider Rewards, an incentive program to help keep the system balanced by encouraging riders to drop off bicycles at the region’s empty stations. Starting on June 1 and continuing through the summer months, members will earn points for trips that start at a designated “Typically Full Station” andRead… Read more »
The government seems to be afflicted with a chronic case of AOS – Acronym Overuse Syndrome. The IRS is no different. We use so many acronyms it’s actually possible to have an entire conversation with a colleague without uttering an actual word. Sidebar: I’ve been tickled when more than one fellow fed lapse into aRead… Read more »
I’m a one-trick pony on Government innovation in that I always go on about the need for more adoption of Cloud Computing. This is for good reason I believe. Canada has a renowned ‘Innovation Gap’, showing a decline in many aspects of national innovation while sustaining an economy through a dependence natural resource businesses, anRead… Read more »
IBM is expanding its Health Analytics Solution Center. The center will be adding new technology and doubling the number of technologists focused on health analytics. The group works on IBM solutions for electronic medical records and remote patient monitoring through devices like smart phones. The center is located in Dallas and will be using someRead… Read more »
Following up on last week’s story about the black market in TriMet (OR) passes, columnist Joseph Rose answered reader questions in The Oregonian. The background: Thieves are using stolen credit cards to buy TriMet passes and sell them to make a quick buck. Answering a question about the costs of upgrading credit card security, RoseRead… Read more »
Following the lead of U.S. transportation secretary Ray LaHood, Amtrak launched Ask Our Expert to answer rider questions via YouTube. For the inaugural segment, Amtrak vice president of high-speed rail Al Engel answered questions from Facebook fans, including “What’s being done in the immediate future to speed up the Acela?” and “When will this countryRead… Read more »