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FBI's New Info-Sharing Software Project Fails

Posted by michael on from the you-lose-some-you-lose-some dept.

Spy Handler writes "After 4 years and half a billion dollars, FBI's attempt to create new information sharing software - called Virtual Case File - simply didn't work.

5 of 271 comments (clear)

  1. A little political editorializing going on... by paranode · · Score: 4, Informative
    From the article:

    WASHINGTON -- A new FBI (news - web sites) computer program designed to help agents share information to ward off terrorist attacks may have to be scrapped, the agency has concluded, forcing a further delay in a four-year, half-billion-dollar overhaul of its antiquated computer system.

    The half-billion is entire their budget to overhaul computer systems, not how much money they spent on this software.

    This is not to say they haven't wasted any money:

    Science Applications has received about $170 million from the FBI for its work on the project. Sources said about $100 million of that would be essentially lost if the FBI were to scrap the software.

  2. Open the source! by Teun · · Score: 4, Informative
    The system as a whole might not work but as the article states there are salvageable parts in it for the FBI

    This is a prime example why public funded software ought to be open source, that way the community as a whole can pick bits and pieces out of it for further use.

    --
    "The likes of Facebook and WhatsApp are free to those whose privacy is of zero value."
  3. Re:What else is new. by TrentL · · Score: 3, Informative

    Well, in TFA, it says that the program was contracted out to a company named Science Applications.

    It's impossible to tell what the problem was until we learn more. As someone who works in government contracting, I know that it can be like pulling teeth trying to figure out WTF the government actually wants. I'm sure a typical requirements review went something like:

    ScienceApps: So, what do you guys want?

    FBI: You know, a case management system that does stuff.

    ScienceApps: Care to elaborate?

    FBI: Sorry, gotta go.

  4. 100 million by Dan+East · · Score: 3, Informative

    According to the article, $170 million has been paid for software development. $100 million of that will be lost of the software is scrapped. The rest went to purchase thousands of computers and set up new networks.

    So, surprise, the slashdot story title is misleading.

    Dan East

    --
    Better known as 318230.
  5. Re:What else is new. by Detritus · · Score: 2, Informative
    FBI: Do the stuff the old system does, only cheaper, faster and better! With GUIs and user-friendly bits! And it has to built on Microsoft technology. We only drink Microsoft kool-aid in this office.

    ScienceApps: What does the current system do?

    FBI: You know, FBI stuff. By the way, we need a detailed budget and schedule by next week.

    --
    Mea navis aericumbens anguillis abundat