Didja ever notice that Government and Computers just don't get along?
At I.R.S., a Systems Update Gone Awry
By DAVID CAY JOHNSTON New York Times
After five years, a project to replace the Internal Revenue Service's aging file-keeping computer system with modern technology is so far behind schedule that the I.R.S. has told the prime contractor that unless it improves its performance by the end of the month, the government may have no choice but to fire it.
The project, which was expected to cost $8 billion when completed, has spent less than $1 billion so far, but it is already 40 percent over budget for what it has done, according to the I.R.S. Oversight Board, an independent watchdog body that Congress created in 1998.
Delay in F.B.I. System
WASHINGTON, Dec. 10 (AP) - The F.B.I. is facing serious delays and cost overruns as it struggles to upgrade a computer system so agents can better share intelligence information and investigative files.
A key system component developed by the Computer Sciences Corporation, known as the Virtual Case File, was originally expected to be running by Saturday. Now, officials say, it will likely be several months into 2004 before agents have access to it.
In addition, the F.B.I. acknowledged that the price tag for the overall system could top $626 million, far above the original projected cost of $380 million.
The delay and higher cost figures were reported Wednesday by The Chicago Tribune.
nytimes.com |
