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FBI Delays Computer-System Contract

Posted by Zonk on from the can-i-do-nothing-for-that-much-money dept.

Carl Bialik from the WSJ writes "The FBI postponed until 2006 the awarding of a huge computer-overhaul contract, gun-shy after a $170 million failed first effort, the Wall Street Journal reports: 'Much is riding on the project's success. Congress and other overseers pilloried the FBI for its reliance on paper records, forms and file cabinets. The FBI only last year completed the rollout of the Internet to its agents and analysts. And even though the bureau installed a computerized case-management system in the mid-1990s, it relied largely on aging, less-agile technology to do so. And it did little to eliminate the department's notorious number of paper forms -- currently numbering more than 1,000.'"

4 of 112 comments (clear)

  1. huh? by stonefoz · · Score: 3, Interesting

    wasn't something put in with the patriot-act that dumped money in the fbi for a huge database overhall. something to enable crosschecks between agencies. if i'm not wrong, what else are they in need of updating?

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  2. Re:The cheapest solution is readily available! by RexRhino · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Actually, when the FBI started, they were not a police force. FBI agents were not allowed to carry guns, and the FBI was largely a small agency used to coordinate local police forces investigations for crime that crossed state borders. If the FBI was downsized to it's very limited non-law-enforcement role, it would arguably be constitutional.

  3. It's amazing by confusion · · Score: 4, Interesting

    It really is amazing that they can spend that kind of money and have nothing to show for it... All the while, they're hunting criminals trying to screw the government - sounds like they should look inside.

    Jerry
    http://www.cyvin.org/

  4. They're waiting to give the bid to Microsoft. by bergeron76 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Seriously. It looks like they are stonewalling for MSFT.

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